When you think about a hospital or a health clinic, you might think about doctors and nurses. What you often do not see are the administrators for these facilities, the people who work behind the scene to keep these health care centers functioning smoothly. What are administrator jobs like, what are their salaries and how can you prepare yourself for a job as a health administrator? This ultimate guide to health administration careers can help you learn the answers to those questions.

Health Care Administration Jobs

Health care is a business that needs good management to function smoothly. Health administrators, also known as medical and health services managers, supervise people, solve problems and make critical decisions. Additionally, with the changing face of health care, administrators must be prepared to deal with the integration of health care delivery systems, technological innovations and an increasingly complex regulatory environment. But, individuals who choose this career have a wide variety of career paths open to them.

Large facilities, such as medical centers, may function with several layers of administration. In large health care facilities, such as hospitals or in organizations such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), several assistant administrators will be in charge of areas such as surgery, therapy, and nursing. Other assistants may be responsible for medical records and health information services. There will also be other managerial personnel in non health care related areas.

Smaller facilities, such as nursing homes, will have a senior manager with responsibilities for most operational areas. Managers in the healthcare sector have varying responsibilities, qualifications, salary range, and work hours depending upon education level and time working in the field.

For instance, entry-level administrative positions may include marketing assistants, operating assistants, project consultants and managers, health provider representatives and accountants. Mid-level positions may include all the above and department managers, case managers, managers of ancillary services such as laboratory and radiology departments, ambulatory care managers, contract negotiators and controllers. Senior-level positions may include chief executive officers, chief operating officers, chief financial officers, senior vice presidents and vice presidents for various sections and services.

Medical and health services managers held about 283,500 jobs in 2008. About 38 percent worked in hospitals, and another 19 percent worked in offices of physicians or in nursing and residential care facilities. Many of the remainder worked in home healthcare services, Federal Government healthcare facilities, outpatient care centers, insurance carriers, and community care facilities for the elderly.

Job opportunities will be good, especially for applicants with work experience in healthcare and strong business management skills. Medical and health services managers with experience in large hospital facilities will enjoy an advantage in the job market, as hospitals become larger and more complex. Competition for jobs at the highest management levels will be keen because of the high pay and prestige. Most healthcare management positions go to graduates of health administration programs.

Health Care Administration Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers’ earnings vary by type and size of the facility and by level of responsibility. For example, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) reported that, in 2007, median salaries for administrators were $82,423 in practices with 6 or fewer physicians; $105,710 in practices with 7 to 25 physicians; and $119,000 in practices with 26 or more physicians.

According to a survey by the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM), 2009 average total compensation for office managers in specialty physicians’ practices was $54,314 in gastroenterology; $54,201 in dermatology; $58,899 in cardiology; $48,793 in ophthalmology; $44,910 in obstetrics and gynecology; $51,263 in orthopedics; $51,466 in pediatrics; $48,814 in internal medicine; and $47,152 in family practice.

While health administrators earn competitive salaries, they also must tolerate unusual work schedules. Health care is an around-the-clock business, and often fraught with emergency situations. Along with handling budget and staffing matters, administrators must attend numerous meetings. Depending on the size of the organization, administrators may be required to travel extensively to meet with board members, oversee other facilities or attend industry conventions. But, a health administrator with an MHA can make almost double the salary of a health administrator with a bachelor’s degree, depending upon the size and location of the facility.

That said, this job can provide a satisfaction that few other jobs may provide. Excitement, travel and the ability to keep a health care business running smoothly might prove a dream job for many individuals. What do you need to do to prepare for a job as a health administrator?

How to Prepare for a Health Care Administration Job

Many health professionals begin their careers in administration or management with a bachelor’s degree. High school students can prepare for an undergraduate degree by loading up on courses in English, math, social studies and science. Some background in a foreign language, particularly Spanish, could prove helpful as well.

The basic college curriculum in healthcare administration covers management theory, concepts, and skills, and an overview of the health care industry. These programs are designed to teach students leadership, financial management, economics, law, organizational behavior, quantitative analysis methods, and planning. Other programs, such as the Master of Health Services or a Master of Medical Informatics, lead to specific jobs within the health management field.

When evaluating candidates for entry-level management positions, employers look for the same characteristics as they would for any manager in a career. You need an appropriate level of education, some work experience in the field, general management and leadership skills, business planning skills and a fit with organizational objectives. One way to achieve some of these goals outside college is to volunteer or apply for internship positions with health care providers to supplement education and to enhance your resume.

Because programs vary from college to college, it is best to investigate as many as possible. Be sure to check out grants and scholarships as a way to help pay for that college education. And, stay tuned to various job resources to stay on top the ever-changing demands in the health care field.

Master of Health Admin MHA - Gerontology MHA - Health Education MHA - Health Informatics	University of Phoenix - Obtain your associate, bachelor's or master's degree in Health Administration and management from this online university. Students learn to critically examine and evaluate issues and trends and incorporate the latest theories and contemporary practice applications through their studies. Phoenix also offers MHA specializations in gerontology, health education, and health informatics.
Master of Health Admin Master of Public Health MPA in Health Policy	Walden University - Walden's Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program is a graduate-level online track that emphasizes cutting edge technology and techniques. Numerous health careers should be available to graduates of this program, including jobs available in healthcare supplies, health insurance, health policy, and much more. Walden also offers two other similar degrees: the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Master of Public Administration (MPA) in health policy.
Master of Health Admin	Ohio University - Ohio University's online Master of Health Administration degree program can prepare you for leadership positions in health care organizations and systems within the U.S. Course highlights include issues of leadership, finance, health system structures and managed care, ethics and law, maximizing human resources, information and systems use, health policy, and strategic planning and marketing.
MS - Health Admin Master of Public Health MPH - Health Mgmt MS in Gerontology	Capella University - The MS in Health Care Administration degree program offered by Capella is taught entirely online, making it possible for students of the program to continue their work in the healthcare field as they earn credits toward their master's degrees. Topics covered by this program include healthcare policy, finance, law, quality improvement, and more. Capella also offers a Master of Public Health degree, with an option to specialize in health management, as well as an MS in gerontology.
MBA - Healthcare Mgmt	Northeastern University - Northeastern University is a world leader in practice-based education, so their online MBA program in Healthcare Management may be the resource you need to begin a career in health administration. With this program, you can gain a solid foundation in all areas of business enterprise and deepen your knowledge within the healthcare specialization.
MS in Healthcare Mgmt MBA - Healthcare Mgmt MPH - Development MPH - Health Education	Kaplan University - Kaplan graduates who specialize in a master's degree in Health Care Management can pursue positions in doctors' offices, medical and surgical hospitals, home health care, and outpatient centers. You will receive rigorous online training, including assignments, reports, presentations, and group projects all designed to help you develop the savvy and proficiencies you need to find solutions in real-life business situations. Kaplan also offers an MBA in healthcare management as well as Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees in public health program development and health education.
MBA in Healthcare	George Washington University - The George Washington University MBA in Healthcare program is based on the concepts of ethics, global business, and leadership. Within two years, the core program can provide you with the fundamentals of business and management while the electives provide flexibility to craft a program that fits your personal and professional goals and objectives.
MS in Health Admin MS in Health Ethics MS in Health Informatics	Saint Joseph's University - Saint Joseph's University offers master's degrees in healthcare administration, health administration ethics, and health administration informatics. These three programs are specifically tailored to prepare individuals for careers in the management and administrative aspects of healthcare.
MS in Health Admin MSM in Health Admin MS in Health Informatics	University of Maryland University College - The University of Maryland University College offers three master's-level degrees that specialize in healthcare administration: the MS in healthcare administration, the MS in Management (MSM) with a healthcare administration specialization, and the MS in healthcare administration informatics. Each of the three programs is accredited by the MSACS and prepares students for careers in hospital management and healthcare administration.
MS in Health Communication	Boston University - Boston University's MS in health communications degree program is a graduate-level online track that emphasizes communication and marketing within the healthcare field. Students of this program will learn the skills necessary to perform all public relations, marketing, and other communications-related duties as they pertain to a healthcare organization.
MBA - Healthcare Mgmt	American InterContinental University - The MBA in healthcare management degree program offered by American InterContinental University is geared toward preparing students for upper managerial positions in hospitals, health insurance providers, consulting firms, care facilities, and more. With AIU's flexible scheduling, students are able to earn this degree in a little as 12 months.
MA in Health Admin	Bellevue University - The MA in Healthcare Administration degree program at Bellevue University features a curriculum that prepare students to seek a career in the management of health care systems. Coursework in healthcare delivery, finance, ethical and legal issues in healthcare administration, and management makes Bellevue a top choice for students in the field.
MS in Health Admin	New England College - New England College offers an MS in Healthcare Administration that can be completed within two years by taking one course per seven weeks. The program is designed to prepare the next generation of healthcare industry leaders and administrators. This degree program is ideal for any individual who is looking to advance his/her medical career and undertake a more managerial role.
MBA in Health Admin Accelerated MBA	Benedictine University - The MBA in Health Administration at Benedictine University prepares students to excel in the business management of the healthcare field. Successful applicants are required to apply and be accepted into both the MPH and MBA programs. The 96 unit credits includes courses in Health Behavior, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health. The program also has an accelerated option.
MBA in Health Mgmt	Colorado Technical University - The Master of Business Administration degree in healthcare management from Colorado Technical University helps students develop the skills required to work within the constraints of ethical, legal, and regulatory guidelines as a health care manager.
MBA Health Mgmt BBA/MBA Health Mgmt	Jones International University - Jones International University offers an MBA in healthcare management (also available as a BBA/MBA dual degree) that helps prepare students for a dynamic leadership role within the healthcare industry. Graduates of this program will be skilled in the areas of strategic management, telemedicine, medical ethics, and more.
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