Healthcare Management
Healthcare management is a discipline within the health care industry that refers to the oversight and administration of environments like hospitals, medical networks, public health systems, and related settings. Healthcare management is the administrative side of the health services industry, and managers are tasked with ensuring smooth and efficient operation within their facility. Some of the job titles a healthcare manager might operate under are medical manager, health services manager, or healthcare executive. Here are the most important things to remember in answering the question, “what is healthcare management?”
Required Education for Healthcare Management
Future healthcare managers who want to work in hospitals, physician’s offices, residential care facilities, government, or outpatient care centers must usually earn a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to qualify for work as managers. Some specialized occupations in healthcare management may require graduate degrees, as well as supervised experience within a healthcare environment and eventual certification. Beyond earning a bachelor’s degree, a healthcare manager may seek out Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) status or certification as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). Other job opportunities may become available for those who become a Certified Medical Manager (CMM) or part of the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM).
Expected Income & Job Outlook for Healthcare Management
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests that individuals working as medical and health services managers will see median pay of more than $98,000 per year with job growth reaching 20 percent over the next decade, which is much faster than the average for all professions. Further BLS data reveals that the economy will add an estimated 72,100 jobs for medical and health services managers through 2024 with the number of job openings deemed favorable by the BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. Those working in healthcare management who choose to expand their education with experience in electronic health records (EHRs) may see demand for their services increase even faster than the overall and expected job growth.
Job Titles and Organizations for Graduates of Healthcare Management
Like most jobs in health care, employment exists in virtually every environment, from government work at the city, county, state, or federal level, as well as employment at non-profit and private health organizations. Entry-level jobs in healthcare management include those as medical records & payroll coordinator, patient care associate, administration office coordinator, associate hospital administrator, and medical office manager. Jobs for individuals with several years of experience at the intermediate level, as well as those with graduate degrees, may find work as healthcare project managers, vice presidents of care management, and receivables management.
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According to an article published by The Atlantic, the health care industry has become the largest employer in the United States. Growth in medical spending and the overall aging of the population has fueled a significant expansion of the healthcare industry. Population figures published by The Atlantic suggest that a full quarter of the population will be over the age of 55 by the year 2025. To support the increase of doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals needed today, healthcare administration jobs will also increase in their scope and need. Anyone interested in becoming part of this growing segment of the health care industry in healthcare management should investigate educational opportunities, as well as consider volunteer work and internships in various health care environments.