If doctors and nurses are the first things that come to mind when you think of a career in healthcare, you need to think again. Doctors and nurses, while vital to the medical community, still need a host of trained and experienced professionals working behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities. Organizations can run smoothly only with the help and expertise of managers and administrators who plan and supervise the day to day running and maintain the quality of services offered. The field of medicine is constantly being developed and re-invented through technological and scientific breakthroughs. Professionals in healthcare administration therefore need to be up to date with cutting edge technology and the changes inherent in such an industry.
Healthcare services as a career is poised to grow exponentially over the next decade or so. With 3.5 million jobs projected, healthcare is the fastest growing industry in the U.S. today. For students in high school interested in a career in healthcare administration, include courses in Math, English, Science, and Social Sciences. A foreign language such as Spanish could also work to your advantage. Entry-level positions in healthcare administration require a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. For a higher-level job or greater earning potential, you could follow up with a Master’s degree as well. Most Bachelor’s degrees in healthcare administration cover basic theory and an overview of the healthcare industry. Also included in the curriculum is the development of skills such as financial management, leadership skills, business planning skills, and statistical analysis. A good healthcare degree program equips students with knowledge about economics, law, legal and ethical concepts, and the organizational structure in the medical community. Students may be encouraged to volunteer and garner work experience and internship positions at local
healthcare centers as part of their degree program.
