Despite the recent economic downturn, the healthcare industry remains a strong career option and is expected to continue to grow. Healthcare providers, such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices, are always looking for detailed-oriented and skilled individuals to add to their staff. Healthcare employers are particularly interested in people who have problem solving skills, making a career in healthcare a great fit for those with military experience who are accustomed to solving complex problems.
Responsibilities
Healthcare administration requires a focused and inquisitive nature in order to understand the underlying issues that may be contributing causes to a larger problem. It also requires a detail-oriented mindset as small factors can play significant roles in diagnosis and treatment and accuracy is vital.
Healthcare administrators can perform a variety of tasks and assume many day-to-day responsibilities, including:
- Develop and manage program and facility budgets
- Collaborate with other department managers to coordinate operations to increase efficiency
- Oversee personnel management, such as hiring, evaluations, and training and development
- Develop and test protocols and procedures for supplying healthcare services during disasters or other emergencies
- Manage the typical daily operations of their nursing department
Helpful Attributes
Due to the potentially critical impact of daily decisions, examining details before developing solutions is vital when working in healthcare administration. With the discipline and attention to detail developed in a military environment, many service members are ideal candidates for careers in healthcare. Other attributes acquired from military service can be helpful as well, such as:
- Strong communication skills
- Excellent organizational and management skills
- Ability to work well under stressful conditions
- Ability to work effectively with people
- An interest in helping and caring for others
Education and Training
Those interested in healthcare administration careers who complete training or degree programs will have the best placement opportunities. Many choose to take advantage of online learning to get the additional skills and training they need by taking courses in areas such as planning and directing health services, patient management, and nursing service administration. Online degree programs are available as well, including bachelor’s degrees in healthcare administration and healthcare management and master’s degrees such as an MBA in Healthcare Administration.
Professional certifications will also improve your employment prospects. Professional healthcare certifications include Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM), Certified Materials & Resource Professional (CMHP), and Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) offered by the American Hospital Association. Additional licensing and certifications may be required depending on the area of practice.
List of Potential Work Places
Healthcare administrators work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). They may also work for colleges and universities, public health agencies, or insurance companies. Healthcare administrators may work under other job titles, such as hospital administrators, nursing services directors, emergency medical services coordinators, and outpatient services directors.
With a detail-oriented and inquisitive nature and the organizational skills that service members develop from military training, many service members find that healthcare administration is an ideal career path. The skills developed in the military are significant assets for those looking for a career in this field.