With the aging population and the Affordable Care Act, there is an increased demand for healthcare services. Hospital administration, insurance, and pharmaceutical companies are all looking for qualified individuals to help manage the complexity of the healthcare industry. A Master of Business Administration in Healthcare will give you the business acumen and operational knowledge to be successful in these roles. An MBA in Healthcare could also prepare you to be a successful entrepreneur in the healthcare industry. With your understanding of the business side of healthcare, you could develop and launch new products and services that address the needs of patients and providers. Whether you are looking to advance your career or start your own business, an MBA in Healthcare can give you the tools you need to be successful.
What Is Healthcare Administration?
Healthcare administration is the field that deals with the management and coordination of the various activities carried out in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital, insurance company, or pharmaceutical company. This may include everything from patient care to billing and insurance claims. Individuals working in this field must be highly organized and have strong communication skills. They also need to have a good understanding of the various laws and regulations governing the healthcare industry. With the ever-changing healthcare industry landscape, individuals working in this field need to adapt quickly to new situations.
What Is an MBA in Healthcare?
The healthcare industry is one of the world’s most complex and rapidly changing industries. To succeed in this field, you need to be able to understand and navigate the intricate web of regulations, reimbursement models, and delivery systems. An MBA in Healthcare Administration can give you the tools you need to succeed in this constantly evolving field.
This type of degree provides a comprehensive overview of the business side of healthcare. You will learn about financial management, marketing, human resources, and information technology, as well as the unique challenges healthcare organizations face. Healthcare administration programs typically include health policy and law courses, and students may complete internships or clinical rotations to gain real-world experience. With an MBA in Healthcare Administration, graduates can pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and other healthcare organizations.
11 Top Healthcare Administration Jobs
Finding the right healthcare administration job for you can be challenging. However, a few top positions tend to be popular among MBAs, with each offering its unique set of challenges and rewards, with a chance to make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families. If you’re considering an MBA in Healthcare Administration, you might end up in one of the following gratifying roles:
1. Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare administrators are responsible for ensuring that patients receive the best possible care, and they work closely with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to ensure everything runs smoothly. Healthcare administrators need strong leadership skills, to be well-organized, and to be capable of handling a large amount of responsibility.
2. Nursing Home Administrator
A nursing home administrator is a professional who manages the day-to-day operations of a nursing home. They are responsible for ensuring that the facility meets all state and federal regulations and overseeing residents’ care. Some states require nursing home administrators to be licensed. As more people reach retirement age, there will be a greater need for long-term care facilities like nursing homes. Nursing home administrators are essential in ensuring that these facilities provide quality care for their residents.
3. Health Services Manager
Health services managers are responsible for managing healthcare facilities and staff overall. They develop policies and procedures, allocate resources, and oversee patient care. They are responsible for ensuring patients receive high-quality care and that healthcare providers have the resources to deliver care effectively. They must communicate effectively with healthcare providers and patients and have strong organizational skills. Health services managers must also be familiar with state and federal regulations surrounding the delivery of healthcare services.
4. Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare consultants help healthcare organizations improve the quality of patient care and overall efficiency with strategic planning, operations improvement, financial management, and marketing. They typically have experience working in the healthcare industry and are familiar with best practices and current trends. They may provide training and coaching to staff members and executives.
5. Administrative Services Manager
Administrative services managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee activities such as procurement, records management, and information technology. In larger organizations, they may also be responsible for managing human resources, finances, and legal compliance. Administrative services managers must effectively communicate with employees at all levels of an organization and make decisions that will benefit the company as a whole.
6. Healthcare Project Manager
A healthcare project manager is responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring healthcare projects and ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. Healthcare project managers typically work with interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals, and their job is to ensure that everyone works together effectively toward the completion of the project. To do this, healthcare project managers must be excellent communicators and problem-solvers. They must also have strong organizational skills and be able to keep track of multiple moving parts. A healthcare project manager is a vital member of any healthcare team, and their job is essential to completing any healthcare project.
7. Hospital Administrator
A hospital administrator is responsible for the overall operation of a hospital. In this role, they may be involved in everything from financial planning and budgeting to staffing and patient care. Hospital administrators typically have a background in healthcare administration or management and may also hold a license as a registered nurse or other medical professional. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of a hospital, administrators also play an important role in long-term planning and strategy.
8. Pharmaceutical Project Manager
A pharmaceutical project manager oversees the development and implementation of drug therapies and other treatments. In addition to supervising the work of scientists and engineers, pharmaceutical project managers also interact with regulatory agencies and FDA officials. They work to ensure that new treatments are safe and effective and meet all legal requirements. Pharmaceutical project managers are critical in bringing new therapies to market and essential to any pharmaceutical research team.
9. Public Health Policy Analyst
A public health policy analyst studies and analyzes public health policies to determine their effectiveness. This can involve conducting research, analyzing data, and writing reports. Public health policy analysts typically work for government agencies or non-profit organizations to help create policies that will improve the health of the population as a whole. To be successful, public health policy analysts must have strong research and writing skills. They must also be able to communicate their findings to various audiences effectively.
10. Health Information Manager
With the increasing use of electronic health records, the role of the health information manager is becoming increasingly important. A health information manager oversees the accuracy and security of patient medical records. They ensure that all health information is kept confidential and stored correctly. Health information managers often work with insurance companies to process claims and keep track of payments. They may also be involved in planning and implementing new healthcare technology systems. Health information managers must be familiar with various computer software programs to store and manage medical records.
11. Employee Health Services Manager
Employee health services managers are responsible for the overall health and well-being of employees in an organization. They work with a team of healthcare professionals to develop and implement programs and services that promote employee health and wellness. This may include developing fitness and nutrition programs, offering smoking cessation counseling, or providing immunizations and screenings. Employee health services managers also play a critical role in emergency preparedness, coordinating with other departments to ensure that employees are aware of and can comply with safety protocols. They may also manage workers’ compensation claims and oversee return-to-work programs.
How Can I Earn an MBA in Healthcare?
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Gary W. Rollins College of Business offers an MBA in Healthcare Administration that allows you to earn your degree 100 percent online or take a combination of in-person and online courses. We provide the career-focused training and education you need for long-term success managing the business and administration side of healthcare. With your choice of delivery options, our MBA in Healthcare Administration program is an excellent fit for working adults.
