Healthcare Administration and the Challenge of Change |
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December 27, 2005
by Kathy A. Johnson
Health Care Programs Columnist
Many factors, including medical technology advances and the growth of managed care, are bringing changes to healthcare. What hasn't changed is healthcare's need for managers to introduce and guide those changes.
An estimated 100,000 people fill health management positions of all levels, according to the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). While hospital administration is probably the most well-known career in healthcare management, non-hospital careers are actually growing at a faster rate. Managed care organizations, home healthcare agencies, long-term care facilities, and public health administration all have a growing need for healthcare managers.
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Degree Options
If you're interested in a healthcare administration career, you'll have some options to choose from. A master's degree is nearly always required to advance, but which program should you choose? Depending on your interests, prior education, and work experience, you might pursue a Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Health (MPH), or even a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Whatever degree you pursue, make sure the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
Competition
Job growth is expected to remain above the average, but expect intense competition for entrance into graduate programs and for healthcare administration jobs themselves. Those with work experience in healthcare as well as strong business and management skills should have the best job prospects, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition.
Healthcare changes don't seem likely to stop anytime soon, and neither will the demand for people able to understand and implement those changes. If you enjoy the challenge of change, healthcare administration may be the career for you.
Sources:
American College of Healthcare Executives
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition.
"What Do Health Administrators Do?"
About the Author:
Kathy A. Johnson has written articles on health, fitness, and many other topics in her career as a freelance writer and editor. She lives in Florida and is the features editor of Forum, a bimonthly publication of the national mothers group, Mothers & More.
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