You are organized, like mathematics and excel at written and oral communication. You also enjoy business law and science classes. You want to be a vital member of a healthcare team, and also enjoy the business aspect. A career as a medical and health services manager (also called hospital administrator, healthcare executive or healthcare administrator) might be right for you because you could:
Work in a variety of healthcare facilities, but not directly with patients.
Earn a very good salary, be in demand and work in many locations throughout the country.
Work with a very talented group of people, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, technologists and health coaches.
Work in an exciting, challenging and constantly changing field.
Make a difference in healthcare quality and costs.
“There are many people who hear the call to save lives, but not all of them like cutting into people. The hospital administrator (also called a medical and health services manager) plays a vital role in saving lives, without having to take scalpel in hand.” —
Princeton Review
Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in what type of work environment can medical and health services managers expect to work?
Internet Research: What is the job outlook for medical and health services managers?
The Journey to Medical & Health Services Manager
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. However, master’s degrees in health services, long-term care administration, public health, public administration or business administration are also common.
Prospective medical and health services managers should obtain a bachelor’s degree in health administration. Courses for a degree in health administration often include:
Hospital Organization and Management
Accounting and Budgeting
Human Resources Administration
Strategic Planning
Law and Ethics
Health Economics
Health Information Systems
Internet Research: Research a local college/university/school with a medical and health services manager degree program. Provide the following information:
Entrance requirements (GPA, PCAT score, essays)
Tuition costs (per credit hour or per semester)
School location
Length of program/degree
Courses/classes required to graduate
Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, what is the current median pay of a medical and health services manager?
The Responsibilities of a Medical & Health Services Manager
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers might manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians. Medical and health services managers must be able to adapt to changes in healthcare laws, regulations and technology. In addition, medical and health services managers may do the following:
Work to improve efficiency and quality in delivering healthcare services
Keep up-to-date on new laws and regulations, so the facility in which they work stays in compliance
Supervise assistant administrators in facilities that are large enough to need them
Manage the finances of the facility including patient fees and billing
Create work schedules
Represent the facility at investor meetings or on governing boards
Keep and organize records of the facility’s services, such as the number of inpatient beds used
Communicate with members of the medical staff and department heads
On Your Own: Using the list above, identify which responsibilities benefit the patient and which responsibilities benefit other members of the healthcare team.