Some people may think that if you have a health management degree, your career options are limited to working in a hospital or a doctor’s office. But the truth is, there are many different career paths you can pursue with this degree.
Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States, so there are plenty of opportunities for talented and ambitious professionals.
If you’re wondering what kind of careers you could pursue with a health management degree, read on for some ideas.
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The Essentials First
Before stepping into the world of health management, you need to ensure you have what it takes.
Ask Yourself:
First, think about what you’re interested in and what skills you want to use. Are you passionate about improving the health of people and communities?
Do you want to work in a clinical setting or manage a team of healthcare professionals? Or would you rather focus on business aspects of healthcare, such as insurance or policymaking?
No matter your interests, there’s a perfect career waiting for you!
Assess Your Skills:
Evaluate your abilities once you’ve decided what you want to do. Do you have hands-on experience dealing with patients or coordinating care?
Are you good at problem-solving and managing projects? Do you have experience with finances or insurance? No matter your skills, there’s a place for you in healthcare.
What’s Your Education Background?
Hospitals prefer to hire health managers with a master’s degree in health administration or a related field.
With an MHL degree, you can work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
If you’re interested in working in a non-clinical environment, such as a health insurance company or government agency, you may be able to get by with a bachelor’s degree.
Think about Your Goals:
Finally, consider your objectives. What do you want to perpetuate in your profession? Do you want to make a difference in the health of your community?
Improve the quality of healthcare in your city or area? Make a difference in the lives of others? There’s a way to achieve your goals in healthcare, no matter your goals.
There are illimitable possibilities when it comes to careers in healthcare. You can pursue exciting and rewarding career paths with a health management degree. Let’s have a look:
Entry Level Healthcare Management Jobs:
Healthcare management is a great profession to dive into. Not only will there be at least 56,000 new healthcare management jobs in 2024, but the future of the sector will look bright in many ways.
With more healthcare regulations being implemented in the United States, the variety and quantity of services will expand.
Furthermore, many healthcare administrators will retire in the next few years as baby boomers enter retirement.
Medical Office Administrator:
A medical office administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a medical office. They may oversee billing and coding, patient scheduling, and insurance paperwork.
Medical office administrators typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, although some jobs may require a master’s degree.
Healthcare Human Resources Manager:
It doesn’t matter what industry you want to enter; almost every company will have an entry-level position in their Human Resources department.
As a healthcare manager, you’ll ensure that the company complies with all state and federal regulations. You’ll also be responsible for creating and maintaining employee records and managing benefits and payroll.
Healthcare Social Media Manager:
A social media manager is responsible for creating and managing a company’s social media presence. A social media manager might create and work a hospital’s Facebook page or Twitter account to address complaints and answer queries.
They would also be responsible for creating content, responding to comments and questions, and monitoring feedback.
Health Informatics Officer:
An informatics officer is responsible for managing and using electronic health records. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing health information systems.
Informatics officers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, although some jobs may require a master’s degree.
Health and Social Services:
Representing the needs of patients and their families, health and social services managers work in various settings such as:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Managed care organizations
- Nursing homes
- Home health agencies
- Public health departments
Most states require that these professionals have a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or a related field.
Advanced Level Healthcare Management Jobs:
Once you have earned a few years of experience under your belt, you may be ready to move into a more advanced healthcare management position.
These positions typically require a master’s degree in healthcare administration or a related field.
Hospital Administrator:
A hospital administrator is responsible for the overall operations of a hospital. They may oversee departments, such as finance, human resources, and medical records.
Hospital administrators typically need a master’s degree in healthcare administration or a related field. This role offers a lot of opportunities for career growth!
The average pay for a hospital administrator is $96,540 per year.
Research Manager:
In addition, health care managers may find employment in research. Private and government laboratories and universities all over the world conduct research. Research managers are responsible for:
- Planning and developing research projects
- Recruiting and supervising staff
- Budgeting
- Analyzing the data
- Sharing results with colleagues
- Writing reports
Healthcare managers and administrators specializing in policy research attempt to understand new and developing trends in managing and administering a wide range of medical settings.
These specialist researchers can develop more effective and efficient policies and improve the overall operation of healthcare institutions.
Nursing Home Administrator:
The long-term care market in the United States was worth $443.2 billion in 2019. Adults who require high-quality care outside of a hospital are generally cared for in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.
Our society demands that this vulnerable group get high-quality treatment, and nursing home administrators are duty-bound to ensure that their patients receive the best possible care.
Nursing home facility directors are in charge of the day-to-day operations. The director may give tours to new clients when they visit the institution.
They can tell the potential residents or their families what services are available and answer any inquiries they may have.
Pharmaceutical Quality Manager:
The pharmaceutical industry is responsible for developing, manufacturing, and marketing medications. Pharmaceutical quality managers are in charge of ensuring that the products meet all safety and quality standards.
They may also be responsible for developing and implementing quality control systems. Pharmaceutical quality managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or a related field.
The critical components of this role include:
- Training and supervising quality control inspectors
- Conducting audits
- Investigating complaints
- Developing and implementing quality control systems
The average salary for a pharmaceutical quality manager is $107,085 per year.
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Conclusion:
The need for health services is expected to grow in the coming years. There will be plenty of job opportunities for people with a health management degree.
With so many options available, you should have no problem finding a career that suits your skills and interests. So what are you waiting for? Start your journey today!
One crucial factor that harkens back to the mind is that your career options are not limited to the jobs listed above.
If you have a health management degree, you have the skills and knowledge to pursue a wide range of other career paths. So don’t be afraid to explore all of your options.
