GUIDE TO HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION
MAJORS AND PROGRAMS
Healthcare administration encompasses all jobs that require someone to plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of healthcare services. Careers in healthcare administration include any positions in charge of a specific clinical department, as well as any position that involves the management of an entire healthcare facility or healthcare system, and the administration of healthcare within that facility or system.
Healthcare administrators formulate business strategies and coordinate day-to-day business such as billing and collection, budgeting, planning, equipment outlays, and patient flow. Healthcare administrators often work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals, and some healthcare administrators oversee the activities of several physicians, or a number of facilities within a healthcare system.
A healthcare administration degree, or a related field such as healthcare management, will prepare you to develop, plan, and manage healthcare operations and services within healthcare facilities, as well as use your skills and knowledge to address public health issues. Healthcare administration degree programs are available at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. A master's degree in healthcare administration is typically the standard credential for most careers in healthcare administration, although a bachelor's degree is adequate for some entry-level positions.
Program curriculum in healthcare administration degrees typically includes basic courses in anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology, as well as instruction in planning, business management, financial management, public relations, human resources management, healthcare systems operations and management, healthcare policy making, health laws and regulations, and medical office administrative procedures. Programs are practice oriented, and designed to provide opportunities for you to practice administrative skills within healthcare facilities, and to prepare you to assess the healthcare needs of these facilities in order to promote and administer healthcare services relevant to that facility and community.
With a degree in healthcare administration, you will be able to pursue positions in healthcare administration, as well as health care facility management.
About Health Service Administration
Health service administration encompasses all jobs that require someone to plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of health services. Health service administrators formulate business strategies and coordinate day-to-day business such as billing and collection, budgeting, planning, equipment outlays, and patient flow. Health service administrators often work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals, and some health service administrators oversee the activities of several physicians, or a number of facilities within a healthcare system.
Education
Earning an associate degree in health service administration will prepare you to develop, plan, and manage health service operations and services within health service facilities, as well as use your skills and knowledge to address public health issues. Although most positions in health service administration require at least a bachelor's degree, there are several associate degree programs and online associate degree programs available in health service administration that can prepare you for some entry-level positions, as well as transition you into a four-year program.
Curriculum in associate degree programs in health services administration typically include basic courses in anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology, as well as instruction in planning, business management, financial management, public relations, human resources management, health care systems operations and management, health care policy making, health laws and regulations, and medical office administrative procedures. Programs are practice oriented, and designed to provide opportunities for you to practice administrative skills within health service facilities, and to prepare you to assess and administer the health service needs relevant.
Online Associate Degree Program
If you are like many adults who have work and other commitments that keep them from being able to take time off to attend on campus classes, the option of an online associate degree in health services may be the path for you. An online associate degree program will allow you to complete coursework at your convenience, and earn your degree from home while being able to stay committed to your career and other personal responsibilities.
Careers
With an associate degree in health service administration, you will be able to concentrate on and acquire positions in health service administration, as well as health care facility management, as well as go on to receive further education in this field. |
