A degree in healthcare management can be the ticket to an excellent career in a variety of healthcare systems and settings. The need for healthcare services of all stripes is rising fast. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that jobs in the healthcare sector will surge by 19% in the next several years.
Professionals with a master’s degree in health services management will be able to work in management and leadership positions in many healthcare-related occupations. Some of the most promising healthcare services-related careers include these:
#1 Healthcare Manager or Administrator
A healthcare manager is in charge of the business of healthcare for many types of facilities, from hospitals to nursing homes. Healthcare managers are responsible for scheduling, budgeting, and determining the most effective ways to improve the care of patients.
Other duties of healthcare managers are:
- Improving the delivery of healthcare services
- Create efficient work schedules so that patients get the care needed, but at an affordable price for the facility
- Monitor the prepared budget for the facility for the year; ensure that the department or facility is operating within allocated funds
- Be the major representative of the department or facility at meetings of the board or of investors
- Organize the records for the facility and ensure that all vital records are kept
The employment outlook for healthcare managers is strong. BLS states that the field will experience 17% growth by 2024. This is much faster than other occupations. Why is this happening?
Healthcare experts state that the aging baby boom group is living longer than previous generations. There are tens of millions of Americans in their number. They also are more active and healthy than decades ago. So, people in this age group will want to access healthcare services that can help them to gain more out of life.
The greater demand for healthcare services creates demand for healthcare workers in several ways. First, there is more need for doctors and nurses. Second, there is more need for managers who are responsible for organizing medical information and the growing healthcare staff.
Median pay in this field is $96,500.
#2 Health Educator
Health educators provide education to people about healthy behaviors. They also develop and implement innovative ways to boost the health of both communities and individuals. Health educators also may collect vital healthcare data and talk about health concerns with members of the community that are vulnerable.
Health educators usually do the following:
- Assess health needs of the people in needy communities
- Develop healthcare programs and events that instruct people about important healthcare topics
- Help people to locate healthcare services that they need for good health
- Offer training for community health workers
- Work to get better healthcare resources into the community
Health educators often are employed in hospitals and related healthcare facilities. They often work with the patient or the family in a hospital to help the person to adjust to a healthcare diagnosis.
The job outlook for health educators is strong, with 13% increase in jobs by 2024. It is thought that there will be more effort to increase positive health outcomes by teaching people to live healthier lives.
Median pay is $53,000 per year.
#3 Social and Community Service Manager
A social and community service manager is responsible for the coordination and supervision of many types of social services and community organizations. Some of these may be healthcare related organizations. They also provide supervision of staff who provide social services to the general public.
These managers do most of the following:
- Work with people in the community and various stakeholders to determine which programs are needed
- Offer oversight of administrative functions of the programs to meet various objectives
- Suggest possible improvements to services and programs
- Plan and manage programs of outreach to make people aware of services available
- Devise budgets for organizations and programs
A social and community service manager can work for many types of organizations. Some of them may work for a center that serves the homeless, provides healthcare services to the young or old, or fights hunger in communities in ned.
The median salary in this field is $64,800. It is expected that jobs will increase by 10% by 2024.
#4 Social Worker
A professional with a health services management degree also can work as a social worker, if they have at least a bachelor’s degree in social work. Social workers assist people in coping with problems in their daily lives. In particular, clinical social workers are licensed to diagnose and treat many different mental and behavioral problems.
Social workers with a health services management background may do the following:
- Identify people who are in need of assistance
- Assess the needs of the client as well as their strengths and situations to determine what their goals are
- Help them to deal with major life changes, from divorce to job loss
- Help them to find the community resources they need, such as childcare and food stamps
- Evaluate the services that have been provided to ensure that they have been effective
Social workers assist people in coping with the various challenges of their lives. They can work with people with children, people who have disabilities, and those with serious health problems.
The job outlook for clinical social workers in particular is strong, with 19% increase in demand. The median salary is $46,800.
#5 Nursing Home Administrator
A nursing home administrator is the leader or top manager of a nursing home. They are responsible for ensuring that the nursing home provides care and support for older people who are not able to care for themselves. Their typical duties are:
- Hiring and training nursing home staff, from administrative workers to clinical personnel
- Conduct regular performance reviews to determine if they are effective
- Communicate with nursing home residents as well as families
- Work closely with clinical workers to devise a plan for every nursing home resident
- Advocate for nursing home residents so that they receive a high level of care
- Oversee billing for each resident
The job demand for nursing home administrators should be similar to healthcare administrators and managers at 16% or so. It is likely to remain high for years because the need for workers will grow with our aging population. People also are living longer, with the average lifespan in the US extending to 80 and beyond.
The median salary is $108,000 per year.
References
- Brooks, A. What Can You Do With a Healthcare Management Degree? (2015, Oct. 26). Retrieved from http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/business/blog/what-can-you-do-with-healthcare-management-degree/
- Medical and Health Services Manager. (2015, Dec. 17). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
