Is becoming a health services manager right for me?How to become a Health Services ManagerHealth services managers typically need at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration to enter the occupation. However, Bachelor's Degrees in Community Health, Public Health, Public Administration, or Business Administration are also common. Show
Undergraduate degree programs in healthcare administration prepare students for higher level management jobs. Courses often include hospital organization and management, accounting and budgeting, human resources administration, strategic planning, law and ethics, health economics, and health information systems. Master's degrees are also available. Graduate programs often last between two and three years and may include up to one year of supervised experience. Some programs allow students to specialize in a particular type of facility, such as a hospital, a nursing care home, a mental health facility, or a group medical practice. Although bachelor’s and master’s degrees are the most common educational pathways to work in this field, some facilities may hire those with on-the-job experience instead of formal education. For example, managers of physical therapy may be experienced physical therapists who have administrative experience. Most jurisdictions require nursing care facility administrators to be licensed; requirements vary by location. In most situations, these administrators must have a bachelor's degree, pass a licensing exam, and complete an approved training program. Some jurisdictions also require administrators in assisted-living facilities to be licensed. A license is not required in other areas of medical and health services management. Health services managers advance by moving into more responsible and higher paying positions. In large hospitals, graduates of health administration programs usually begin as administrative assistants or assistant department heads. In small hospitals or nursing care facilities, they may begin as department heads or assistant administrators. Some experienced managers also may become consultants or professors of healthcare management. What is a Medical and Health Services Manager?Sometimes referred to as healthcare executives, medical and health services managers usually oversee entire medical facilities, specific clinics, departments, or medical practices for groups of physicians. This generally means that their responsibilities are numerous and varied, ranging from simple clerical work to personnel oversight. While specific expectations depend on employer preferences and the scope of their position, common tasks include:
Good communication skills are essential, as these professionals often work closely with other medical experts such as physicians, surgeons, registered nurses, technologists, and technicians. In some cases, they may be responsible for identifying potential improvement areas, developing corresponding training, and determining how to implement it throughout the facility or department. Interactions with patients are unlikely to be as prominent, but it might be necessary to resolve disputes or better understand patient needs. As facility or departmental leaders, medical and health services managers are also responsible for adapting to changes in healthcare laws, regulations, and technology. This means they must be proficient at researching modern innovations and best practices in the healthcare field. Remaining well informed about the industry is essential to knowing when and how to adjust procedures accordingly. These professionals may work for a wide variety of employers. While state, local, and private hospitals account for the majority of employment opportunities available, medical and health services managers can find jobs in physician offices, nursing homes, residential care facilities, outpatient care centers, and even the government. What are the Education Requirements for Healthcare Managers?Most people who plan to pursue a career as medical and health services managers will need, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Degrees that place focus on both healthcare and management are generally best, as students will gain a better understanding of medical terminology, hospital organization, health information systems, and business and administration. The most common bachelor’s degrees used to enter the occupation include health administration, health management, nursing, public health administration, and business administration. While most employers require an undergraduate degree in a related field, graduate degrees are generally preferred. Having a master’s can make a big difference during the hiring process and can help candidates with more education stand out. Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare ManagementFor medical and health services managers, the first step is enrolling in an accredited undergraduate program. These usually consist of 120 credit hours of coursework and take full-time students around four years to complete. Those who plan to attend classes on a part-time basis should expect their graduation to be delayed for two to four more years. As previously mentioned, there are several undergraduate degree options to choose from. Some of the most common bachelors degrees include health administration, health management, nursing, public health administration, and business administration. In most cases, required coursework will consist of both major-specific and general liberal arts content. Every college and university is different, but topics covered frequently include the following.
In addition to an undergraduate degree, prospective employers tend to expect candidates to have some prior work experience in the field. As a result, those who have been in administrative or clinical roles for several years are more likely to be hired as medical and health services managers. Master’s Degree In Healthcare ManagementThose who graduate from bachelor’s degree programs have a couple options. They can either try to find employment right away or begin pursuing a health care management graduate program. While having a graduate degree is not essential for becoming a medical or health services manager, it can provide a competitive edge over other applicants. Master’s programs usually consist of 60 credit hours of coursework and take full-time students approximately two years to complete. Those attending classes part-time can anticipate graduating within three to four years. There are a few different graduate-level degree options to consider. Some students choose to pursue a master’s of business administration (MBA) with a related concentration, while others prefer to pursue a master’s in healthcare administration. MBAs place more focus on the business side of healthcare, whereas terminal degrees in the field provide more instruction in healthcare policies. Every college and university is different, but topics covered frequently include the following.
Again, having work experience in conjunction with a master’s degree can be beneficial when looking for medical or health services management positions. Unlike with an undergraduate program, however, students can be professionally employed and take classes at the same time. Online classes, in particular, provide the flexibility necessary to work toward a degree and gain experience at the same time. Similar Roles in Medical and Health Services ManagementOfficial job titles can vary significantly, especially between specialized facilities. This means that there are actually a number of professional roles related to medical and health services management that graduates may qualify for. The scope of the position (oversight of an entire facility versus a single department) will also have an impact on the title. Some of these roles include the following.
Certification and Continuing Education Requirements for Medical and Health Services ManagersWhile most medical and health services managers don’t need certification in order to find a job, earning a related credential can lead to more career opportunities. Additionally, some employers do have specific certification requirements that applicants must meet in order to be considered for employment. Required or not, there are several certifications available in many areas of the field, including the following. Certified Medical Manager (CCM)The Certified Medical Manager (CCM) credential is offered by the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM). This certification shows that the professional is competent in the administrative management of healthcare organizations. It validates knowledge of the Nine Domains of Medical Practice Administration, as well as the skills and abilities needed to successfully manage physician practices and ambulatory service centers. Candidates must have a minimum of two years of professional patient care experience within the healthcare industry. At least 12 post-secondary education credits related to healthcare or business are also required. The Certified Medical Manager (CCM) certification exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that must be completed within three hours. All content is based on the Nine Domains of Medical Practice Administration. The cost of registration is $770, but Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) members receive a 50% discount. Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). This certification shows that the professional is capable of managing operational units, participating in administrative committees, preparing a budget, interacting with all levels of an organization, and overseeing patient health information and medical records. It also certifies that the individual has a comprehensive understanding of medical, administrative, ethical, and legal requirements, and standards related to healthcare delivery and patient privacy. To qualify, candidates must meet one of several eligibility requirements:
The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification exam consists of 170 to 200 computer-based questions that must be completed within four hours. Content covered includes information governance, compliance with uses and disclosures, data analytics and informatics, revenue management, and management and leadership. The cost of registration is $299. LicensingFew medical and health services management positions require licensure, although some employers may expect candidates to be licensed as registered nurses or social workers. The primary exception to this is for nursing home administrators. Every state requires these professionals to be licensed through the National Association of Long-Term Care Administration Boards (NAB). It’s important to note that licensure requirements for nursing home administrators vary by state. In most cases, however, candidates must possess an undergraduate degree, complete an approved training program, and pass a national exam in order to qualify. Depending on the state, an additional exam and/or years of professional work experience may also be necessary. Because requirements are set by each individual state, it’s important for those seeking licensure to carefully review the expectations in advance. Information regarding state-by-state licensure requirements can be found on the National Association of Long Term Care Administration Boards (NAB) website. Medical and Health Services Manager Salary and Career OutlookOverall, the outlook for medical and health services managers working in the United States is very promising. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the profession is expected to grow by 32% from 2019 to 2029. This is much faster than the national average for other professions. There are several key factors impacting this projected growth, but the primary factor is the aging of the baby-boomer population. As this large group gets older, the demand for healthcare services and those who manage them will increase. Similarly, there will be more need for nursing care facility administrators as more and more of these communities become full. According to PayScale, the average salary for medical and health services managers is $67,583. This figure is well above the average annual wage of $37,690 reported for all occupations through the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Entry-level professionals can expect to make between $61,000 and $64,000, while those with 20 or more years of experience can earn as much as $77,000 per year. The highest 10% of individuals in the field earned more than $189,000. Sources:
How long does it take to become a manager in healthcare?It traditionally takes four years to earn a bachelor's degree in health care management. It takes an additional two to four years for a master's degree after completion of a bachelor's degree. To obtain a doctoral degree most candidates will spend about eight to ten years in undergraduate and graduate training.
Is healthcare manager a good career?Competitive salary.
The top 10% of healthcare managers earned more than $189,000 per year, while the lowest 10% earned around $58,000 per year. This salary level will directly rely on your education and years of experience, making a degree in healthcare management extremely valuable.
What are the benefits of being a medical and health services manager?Benefits of Getting a Healthcare Management Master's Degree. More Career Opportunities. With the growing emphasis on the medical industry and providing better healthcare to patients everywhere, there are new positions opening up every year. ... . Better Pay. ... . More Responsibility. ... . More Knowledge. ... . More Flexibility.. What is the highestSome of the highest-paying roles in healthcare administration are:. Clinical practice manager. ... . Healthcare consultant. ... . Hospital administrator. ... . Hospital CEO. ... . Informatics manager. ... . Nursing home administrator. ... . Chief nursing officer. ... . Nursing director.. |