Growing up, we usually have a firm set of ideals related to our future careers. We harbour dreams and work exceptionally hard to achieve them. We learn new things and experience changes in our original vision of success.
What happens when we find ourselves at a crossroads? When we finally get our dream job but realize that this isn’t what makes us happy? Or we enrol in our choice of a degree program and find out that this is not what we are cut out for?
If you are working in the healthcare industry, you may find yourself asking these questions more often. Healthcare is a diverse field that provides a wide range of opportunities, from nursing to optometry to investing in home healthcare franchise. Based on your skills and interests, you can serve in different areas of healthcare.
If you are thinking of a career in healthcare administration, you should know everything about this field. This article will help you gain some insight into healthcare administration as a career.
What is Healthcare Administration?
Healthcare administration is a field that entails interacting with hospital staff to ensure the proper running of a healthcare facility. This hospital staff includes doctors, surgeons, nurses, managers, and other support staff. As a healthcare administrator, you work behind the scenes with the management of the facility.
Administrator jobs are highly demanding and challenging. To qualify for this position, you need to have an executive master’s in healthcare administration from a well-reputed institute. A few years of work experience under your belt will significantly improve your prospects in this field.
Ø Healthcare Administration vs. Healthcare Management
Healthcare administration and management are often used together. Many professionals also use these words interchangeably. Although both of these job descriptions are more or less the same, there is a significant difference between them.
A healthcare administrator works directly with hospital staff. They handle day-to-day operations and staffing budgets.
A healthcare manager oversees the organization’s major operations. They are well-versed in accounts and finance. While an administrator handles the small details, a manager usually works towards the bigger picture.
Skills Required to Become a Healthcare Administrator
A healthcare administration job requires a professional with a diverse set of skills. Many of these skills are taught and polished in advanced degree programs. You must exhibit the following skills to qualify for an administrator position in a healthcare facility.
1. Leadership
If you exhibit strong leadership skills, this job is for you. A healthcare administrator often heads a department or a medical team. They must show exceptional leadership skills to keep the staff organized and utilize their skills for the best results.
2. T-Shaped Talent
This concept is used to describe a person who is an expert in their field and possesses enough knowledge about intersecting fields as well. As a healthcare administrator, you should know how to coordinate a specific unit, like surgery, and have intricate knowledge about the HR process.
3. Networking
As a healthcare administrator, you will benefit greatly from the connections you establish during your career. These connections will help you with hiring, resolving minor issues, and overcoming professional complications.
4. Time Management
This is a skill that helps you in every aspect of your life. A career in administration can take up much of your time, especially in the initial days. You may have to work extra hours or schedule important meetings during your days off. Time management skills help you schedule your day-to-day activities and are essential to keep a healthy work-life balance.
5. Conflict Resolution
Working with different professionals means that you may encounter professional conflicts. Doctors, surgeons, and nurses often have to work together in a healthcare facility. This leads to some disagreements that can affect the quality of patient care. You may also have to navigate workplace politics delicately.
Scope
There has been an increase in the demand for healthcare personnel since the pandemic hit in 2020. As healthcare technology is making giant leaps of success, the industry needs competent administrators to micromanage departments and utilize the facility’s talent as best as they can.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for healthcare administrators is expected to increase by 32% by 2029.
Job Opportunities
While a job as an administrator seems pretty straightforward, there is a lot you can do with a degree in healthcare administration. The following jobs are high in demand in healthcare administration.
- Human Resources
- Government relations
- Medical staff relations
- Social media directors
- Clinical research managers
Salary Packages
Healthcare workers have a good salary package regardless of their area of expertise. They have job security and specific workplace perks. Healthcare administrators are no exception to this rule. Their salary packages usually depend on their job and rank. As of May 2020, the median annual pay of a healthcare administrator is $104,280.
Work Environment
Before choosing a career, you should know different aspects of the job market. The environment where you work has a huge impact on your performance and mental health. Let’s have a look at some of the features of the job of a healthcare administrator.
1. Fast-paced
Running a healthcare facility is not a simple task. You need to make the right decisions at a moment’s notice. This is an exciting field where you work an office job away from the patients. This career choice is perfect for you if you thrive in a fast-paced environment.
2. Strictly Regulated
There are many rules and regulations in place when you run a healthcare facility. There are various protocols in place to ensure the smooth running of affairs.
3. Long Working Hours
Although most office jobs are 40 hours a week, healthcare administrators may have to work more hours in some cases. You will notice that healthcare facilities are functional 24/7. This means that in certain cases of emergencies, you will have to be present at odd hours.
4. Challenging
You might face many challenges when you try to run a healthcare facility. You may have to implement new policies and make sure that the staff is well aware of any changes you make. You also need to stay on top of the latest healthcare practices and ways you can incorporate them into your facility.
To Conclude
Healthcare administration is a good career choice if you are looking to work beyond the hustle-and-bustle of dealing with patients. Although you work behind the scenes, this job comes with its fair share of challenges. It all comes down to whether you possess the skills to assume the responsibility of running a healthcare facility.
