How to Become a Healthcare Administrator

September 19, 2024

Healthcare Administration

Entering the medical field can be an incredibly worthwhile endeavor. Not only can you give yourself a wealth of career options and financial security, but you can in turn give back to the community and help the public at large in diverse ways.

One option available to those passionate about healthcare is becoming a healthcare administrator, or hospital administrator, as facilities need talented individuals to oversee their daily operations. In this post, we’ll look at the healthcare administration role and its responsibilities, the steps for becoming a healthcare administrator, key questions about the position, and more.

What Is Healthcare Administration?

The field of healthcare administration focuses on the daily needs of a medical facility, overseeing such key areas as hiring, organizational efficiency, finance, and legal compliance. Additionally, healthcare administrators regularly coordinate with healthcare providers – such as doctors, nurses, and other medical staff members – to aid in the creation of workflows, processes, and guidelines that keep the operation successful and facilitate excellent patient care.

Individuals who pursue a healthcare administration career hone the skills they need to work in an array of settings, such as hospitals, senior living facilities, clinics, and more.

What Are Some of the Duties of a Healthcare Administrator?

Those within a healthcare or hospital administration career perform a range of duties, including:

  • Creating schedules for medical staff members
  • Supervising hiring and salary needs
  • Boosting the efficiency of an organization
  • Handling financial and budgetary needs
  • Writing grant proposals
  • Assisting medical staff members
  • Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations

Key Skills Healthcare Administrators Possess

To be successful in the role, healthcare administrators require the knowledge and hard skills attained from collegiate programs, as well as a variety of soft skills. Some prominent examples include:

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Adaptability
  • Problem solving
  • Technological prowess
  • Business acumen
  • Knowledge of laws and regulations

Steps to Become a Healthcare Administrator

Students passionate about healthcare should take the following steps to work toward becoming a hospital administrator or healthcare administrator.

1. Obtain an Undergraduate Degree

To enter the field of healthcare administration, you will first need an undergraduate degree in a related discipline, including those focused on public health, healthcare management, business, and more. The courses you take should cover both medical and business concepts to give you the background needed for your future role.

One option is to first acquire an associate degree, such as the healthcare management associate degree from P.I.T. Once you have completed these studies, you can then complete your bachelor’s degree in a related discipline to fully prepare yourself for the healthcare field.

2. Accrue Work Experience in Healthcare

The importance of real-world experience cannot be overstated when examining the steps to become a hospital administrator, and most healthcare facilities will require you to have amassed substantial experience before advancement opportunities will be open to you.

Ways to acquire this experience can include taking part in an internship, getting an entry-level job in a healthcare facility, or working part-time as you complete your associate or bachelor’s degree. Doing so will not only help you to attain desired positions as part of your career, but many Master of Health Administration programs require such experience for admittance, with some desiring as much as three years of professional experience.

3. Consider Pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration Degree

A Master of Healthcare Administration degree, or MHA, can be the next logical step for those interested in learning how to become a healthcare administrator. Following completion of undergraduate work, pursuing an MHA can open a lot of doors, and most high-level roles within healthcare administration will require an advanced degree.

You will want to select a rigorous and respected program, preferably one with CAHME certification. Both in-person and online programs are available, as well, giving applicants plenty of flexibility. Additionally, you will want to consider what types of concentrations you would like to focus on, as programs can delve into such topics as finance, human resources, business analytics, and more.

4. Join Professional Organizations and Earn Certifications or Credentials

Though not required, to enhance your opportunities for becoming a healthcare administrator, you should consider joining professional associations and acquiring credentials and certifications. Doing so will illustrate your dedication to the field and will augment your resume.

Some options include:

  • Gaining a Certified Healthcare Administration Professional certification from AHAP
  • Acquiring a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional certification from HFMA
  • Becoming an American College of Healthcare Executives fellow
  • Getting an Executive Certification and Professional Certification from AAHAM
  • Joining the National Association of Health Services Executives
  • Joining the American College of Healthcare Executives
  • Joining the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management

5. Explore the Field

One of the best aspects of becoming a hospital administrator or healthcare administrator is reviewing the many career opportunities available to you. Healthcare is a thriving field with open positions all throughout the country, so your prospects and options are nearly endless.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May of 2023 that those in healthcare administrative roles can expect an average salary of approximately $110,00, while also highlighting that the field is expected to grow by 28% from 2022 to 2032, with about 54,700 job openings projected each year.

FAQs on Becoming a Healthcare Administrator

How Long Does It Take to Become a Healthcare Administrator?

Taking into account the time to earn your undergraduate degree or degrees, as well as the recommended master’s degree and necessary work experience, it can take approximately six to eight years to officially become a healthcare administrator.

Is Healthcare Administration a Good Option for a Career?

Absolutely! As we outlined above, not only does the field offer many professional and financial advantages, but its impact on patient care means it’s an ideal path for those looking to contribute to their community. Plus, with so many job openings in so many parts of the country (and around the world), the opportunities for travel and new experiences are added benefits.

What Are Some Emerging Trends in Healthcare Administration?

One of the most prominent aspects is, and will be, the continued use of data to make facilities more efficient, improve decision-making, and enhance patient care. AI, though in its beginning stages at the moment, will likely expand on these aspects as well, creating opportunities and streamlining processes.

Diversity and inclusion initiatives are also becoming a larger part of healthcare administration careers, since diverse populations being better represented in a healthcare facility in turn help to better serve patients from those same backgrounds.

Put Yourself on the Path to a Healthcare Administration Career at P.I.T.

At Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, students are able to effectively prepare for their future with our healthcare management associate degree program. This program includes our Medical Billing and Coding Academy that has been created to meet the exacting and evolving needs of healthcare providers.

Best yet, our courses are offered completely online, so you will be able to take them at your own pace from wherever is convenient to you, and you will be able to easily continue working if you so desire. Plus, students are eligible to earn certifications within the first nine months of schooling in our program, so you can really get a leg up. Additional benefits include:

Ready to Get Started? Apply Today!

If you’re passionate about healthcare and want to prepare for an excellent career, request info from our team or apply today! We look forward to speaking with you.