Individuals responsible for behind-the-scenes management of medical services don’t usually come to mind when we think of healthcare. This makes healthcare administration what one might call a “hidden” career.
The first recognized mention of a need for formal education for hospital administrators was in 1929 when Dr. Michael Davis published a book calling for a graduate curriculum for hospital business administration. After a few attempts, graduate education became available for healthcare administrators in 1934 with the University of Chicago, and the availability of these programs has continued to rise.
Today, an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Healthcare Administration program from reputable institutions like the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) can be critical for professional success in healthcare administration.
Healthcare Administration – Areas of Employment
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that approximately 30% of healthcare administrators work within a hospital system. Some other areas requiring oversight and management include:
- Private physician offices
- Home health agencies
- Outpatient clinics or centers
- Long-term care or nursing home facilities
- Physical therapy practices
- Insurance companies
- Government health offices
- University/college student health centers
- Sports programs and teams
Professional administration roles range in responsibilities, but some may be in the following areas:
- Strategic planning
- Marketing
- Human resources
- Patient advocacy
- Cost analysis
- Data collection/analysis
- Financial management
- Facility management
- Maintenance of mission and vision goals
- Policy facilitation, implementation and compliance
- Regulatory compliance
Using Your MBA in Healthcare Administration
BLS projects that the number of jobs for medical and health services managers will grow 28% between 2022 and 2032 — significantly faster than the average of all other measured occupations. Salaries in this field vary depending on the type of facility, level of responsibility and experience of administrator. Medical and health service managers across the U.S. earned a median annual wage of $104,830 in May 2022. The median annual wage for medical and health service managers in Colorado is $125,840.
Healthcare Administration Job Descriptions
The field of healthcare administration includes a large and varied pool of opportunities. Below is a sampling of some of the more common options available, with salary ranges. Salaries depend on education and experience. All salary range data is from ZipRecruiter as of April 2024.
- Healthcare consultants are usually employed by large private organizations. As a consultant, responsibilities include conducting research, identifying problems, suggesting solutions, preparing reports and sometimes more. Healthcare consultants typically earn $27,000 to $117,800 on average annually.
- Health information managers are usually employed by hospitals, healthcare facilities, community care clinics, federal health departments or health insurance companies. Health information managers are responsible for oversight of data systems and maintenance of accuracy, privacy and regulatory requirements of databases containing patient and hospital information. Health information managers typically earn between $54,001 and $137,421 on average annually.
- Clinical managers oversee a specific department such as nursing, surgery or physical therapy with responsibilities specific to the specialty. They oversee adherence to policies, goals and procedures. They also review employee performance. Clinical managers typically earn between $40,000 and $123,000 on average annually.
- Practice managers oversee the daily activities of a medical practice including physician offices and physical therapy clinics. They are responsible for hiring, firing and supervising staff. They manage the implementation of processes and programs for maintaining and improving functionality and efficiency within the practice. Practice managers typically earn between $39,500 and $115,500 on average per year.
Pursue an MBA in Healthcare Administration Today
For those looking to make an impact on the healthcare industry, an MBA in healthcare administration will help them get there. From being exposed to new ideas and innovations to networking opportunities, the University of Northern Colorado’s online MBA with a Concentration in Healthcare Administration program sets its graduates up for success in whatever career they hope to pursue.
Learn more about the UNC online MBA program with a Concentration in Healthcare Administration program.
