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What is a Healthcare Administrator, and What Does a Healthcare Administrator Do?

Now, more than ever, the world needs quality healthcare professionals. If you are interested in a career within this growing industry, but do not wish to spend many years in medical school, you may wish to become a healthcare administrator. What is a healthcare administrator? And why is this such a big role?

It is no secret that the demand for healthcare is on the rise. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare occupations are expected to grow 15 percent over the next several years. And after the unrest of the COVID-19 pandemic and the strain on our healthcare systems, we witnessed, first-hand, the importance of well-trained medical personnel.

When it comes to healthcare administration, you may think of a desk job in a doctor’s office. You may even confuse it with the work of healthcare management. Read on, as we answer those burning questions: What is a healthcare administrator, and what does a healthcare administrator do?

The Role of a Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators are like the overseeing eyes of a medical facility. These professionals dedicate their careers to planning, managing, directing, and coordinating medical services within their organizations. They also oversee facility operations to ensure that all is running smoothly across major, administrative departments. Healthcare administration largely focuses on the logistics of a medical operation, involving:

  • Business management
  • Care planning
  • Financial management
  • Public relations
  • Human resources
  • Healthcare systems operations
  • Health law and policy making

Healthcare administrators are also sometimes tasked with other operational tasks within their organization – such as budget and policy planning.

Healthcare Administrator Responsibilities

A healthcare administrator’s job responsibilities may fluctuate, depending on the facility. These professionals can work in various settings, as well. If you are interested in becoming a healthcare administrator, you will have opportunities to work in nursing homes, surgery, physical therapy, physician’s offices, and other healthcare facilities.

So what does a healthcare administrator do on a regular basis? Some of the most common responsibilities for a healthcare administrator include, but are certainly not limited to:

  • Communicating with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff
  • Ensuring the facility complies with all laws and regulations
  • Developing work schedules for staff and physicians
  • Improving facility finances
  • Managing facility finances
  • Managing patient fees and billing
  • Monitoring budgets and spending
  • Presenting investor meetings and meet with governing boards

Healthcare administrators play a vital role in their organization. These professionals can expect to stay very busy now and in the future, and the need for them is only growing. In fact, the BLS expects this specific role to grow a notable 32 percent between 2019 and 2029 – which is about eight times faster than the average for all occupations.

It is a challenging but rewarding career. Healthcare administrators are the glue of a medical facility’s operations, leading their teams with professionalism and dedication.

Healthcare administrators also earn a solid salary in their chosen profession. According to the BLS, healthcare administrators earned a median pay of $104,280 in 2020.

The Pathway to Your Future

If you are interested in becoming a healthcare administrator, you may wonder what steps you need to take to land this role. It all starts with a solid foundation in education. Today, most healthcare administrators have at least a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field.

Goodwin University’s bachelor’s in Health Science, for example, offers a concentration dedicated to healthcare administration. The core program classes provide students with fundamental knowledge in medicine, public health, the sciences, and healthcare systems. Within the healthcare administration track, students also learn the ins and outs of human resource management, applied accounting, health administration, and business planning.

This type of program offers plenty of flexibility for working students. Healthcare administration classes at Goodwin are offered on campus, online, and in hybrid format. Many health science courses are offered on days, evenings, and weekends, as well, so you can maintain your part-time or full-time job while earning your bachelor’s degree.

Some healthcare administrators go on to pursue a master’s degree, as well, which is sometimes preferred by employers. A bachelor’s degree in Health Science can prepare you for the next step into graduate studies, if you desire to continue your schooling instead of setting foot on your career path.

To learn more about the Health Science program at Goodwin University, or to get started on your path towards becoming a leader in healthcare, call 800-889-3282. You may also visit us online to request more information.