Are you wondering about the top reasons to study health care management? This prestigious leadership position helps health care facilities run effectively, which improves community health. With a job in health care management, you could help provide health services to those who need them most.
#1: Provide a Desperately Needed Service
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health care managers are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating health and medical services. This could include overseeing a specific department, such as patient services, a facility, such as a hospital, a private medical practice or community health network, or a group of physicians.
As the need for health care services increases, so does the need for someone who can keep those day-to-day services operating smoothly. This could mean making sure there’s enough staff, that doctors and nurses deal with patients effectively and that all federal and local laws are met.
#2: Great Salary and Benefits
One of the most appealing aspects of a job in health care is the salary. As of May 2015, health care managers earned a median annual salary of $94,500, according to the BLS.
In a health care setting, salary isn’t the only perk. Health, dental and eye insurance is among the best in the country. Retirement packages and stock options are also available, leading to additional sources of income, later. Most health care settings also offer excellent life insurance options. Don’t forget vacation time, on top of sick days and personal days. There’s also the possibility of a sign-on bonus.
#3: Growth and Opportunities
As the baby-boomers age and retire and more people remain active, but the high levels of obesity and other diseases increase, so does the need for health care professionals, including managers. According to the BLS, roughly 330,000 people were employed in health care management and that number is expected to increase by 17% between 2014 and 2024.
This could lead to working in nursing homes, hospitals, or doctor’s offices, but it could also mean working on a federal level, executing reform or changing health care laws, rules, and regulations. As technology advances, more reasons to study health care management will enfold, including being at the forefront for releasing and implementing new technology and services.
#4: The Educational Requirements
To begin working in the field of health care management, only a bachelor’s degree is required. Additionally, internships or experience working in a health care facility may be expected or necessary. Generally, bachelor’s degree classes could include marketing, nursing administration, patient services and human resources.
For some, a master’s degree in health care management may be the best option because of the additional opportunities that arise, including research positions and higher-level job options. A master’s degree also generally leads to a higher salary.
#5: The Work Environment
Most health care managers work in an office and keep regular hours. They get to interact with a wide variety of people and make decisions that keep health care facilities operating smoothly. They can even effect healthy changes in the community. For instance, a well-run hospital could lead to more health care facilities, including mental health facilities or small clinics, opening in the area. Job opportunities could include:
- Nursing homes
- Consulting firms
- Insurance companies
- Public health departments
Good leaders and managers will constantly be in demand and the health care industry isn’t going anywhere. These are only the top 5 reasons to study health care management: look around and you’ll find many more.
Related resource:
Top 20 Master’s Degree Programs at Smaller Colleges in the North
FAQs
1. Positive Job Outlook. Healthcare is a growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates job growth for medical and health services managers to increase by 28% from 2021 through 2031, much faster than average for all professions.
Why do people study healthcare management? ›
1. Positive Job Outlook. Healthcare is a growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates job growth for medical and health services managers to increase by 28% from 2021 through 2031, much faster than average for all professions.
Why am I interested in healthcare administration? ›
It is a growing field with strong job outlook.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics†, employment of health care managers and leaders is projected to grow significantly over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Why are you interested in healthcare management and more specifically in obtaining a master of health administration mha degree? ›
More Career Opportunities
There are many areas within a healthcare facility where an employee can make a positive impact, and they may not all be healthcare manager positions. Having the master's degree qualifies them for various career advancements and the ability to branch out into other areas of healthcare.
Why is care management important in healthcare? ›
Personalizes care to meet the unique medical, behavioral, and psycho-social needs of each individual. Improves efficiency and reduces costs by identifying risk factors and intervening early to improve outcomes and lower risk. Optimizes quality performance to reduce risk, improve outcomes, and increase incentive ...
Why did I pursue a career in healthcare? ›
Healthcare workers spend their time making a difference in others' lives, which can increase their motivation and overall job satisfaction . Above-average earning potential. Many careers in the healthcare industry offer an above-average salary, especially when you work in hospitals or for government organizations.
What does healthcare management focus on? ›
Ultimately, healthcare management professionals work to oversee and coordinate every aspect of healthcare. Whether it's overseeing hospital operations or coordinating the happenings in a small private practice, these managers ensure that healthcare facilities operate smoothly for everyone involved.
Why are you interested in healthcare answers? ›
Sample answer: “I've always had a calling to help people. That's why I volunteered with a local community clinic in high school. Since then, my commitment to healthcare has only increased as I have worked in various healthcare-related positions within the nonprofit sector.
Is a healthcare management degree worth it? ›
Whether you're brand new to the field, or you already have some experience and are just looking for the academic credentials needed to advance your career, there's no doubt that it's worth completing a Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration.
What degree is best for healthcare administration? ›
Some of the most common graduate degrees for health care management include:
- Master's in Health Care Management.
- Master's in Health Care Administration (MHA)
- Master's in Public Health.
- Master's of Business Administration (MBA)
A Passion for Management of a Fast-Paced Team
They should enjoy taking control of a situation, tackling challenging issues, and overcoming hurdles to provide superior care for patients. The key is being able to turn a department into a cohesive organization or professionals.
Why do you want to pursue a career in healthcare administration essay? ›
Combining my passion for healthcare and leadership, I find healthcare administration exciting and fulfilling. The desire to help others runs deep in my family and community, and I believe becoming an administrator would enable me to use my skills to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
What do you think are the most important key functions of a healthcare manager and why? ›
Healthcare managers ensure that strategies and practices align with an organization's mission. They manage processes to ensure financial stability and coordinate operations with boards and other governing bodies at the organizational level.
What is the value of care management? ›
There are numerous benefits to launching a care management program. These include measurable results for patients, such as improved healthcare access, efficiency, and health outcomes, as well as cost savings for Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and even commercial payors.
What are the effects of care management? ›
Care management has several key benefits for your practice: Lowers treatment costs. Improves care coordination. Reduces patient hospitalizations.
Why is it important for healthcare managers to understand healthcare delivery in the US? ›
Delivery systems in healthcare ensure patients receive appropriate medical care in medical centers, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. This structured framework allows medical providers to effectively manage their facilities and ensure better coordination of services to provide quality medical care.
Is healthcare management hard to study? ›
Earning your degree in healthcare administration really isn't any more difficult than any other potential field of study. Just like any other program, you'll run into some elements of healthcare administration that are complex, but you may also find some of it to be relatively intuitive, or even easy.
Why is healthcare management so challenging? ›
These reasons include (1) poor design of systems and processes, (2) the system's inability to respond to changing patient demographics and related requirements, (3) a failure to assimilate the rapidly growing and increasingly complex science and technology base, (4) slow adoption of information technology innovations ...
Is a certificate in healthcare management worth it? ›
A certification like the CMM that requires both experience and proof of knowledge can ultimately position you for broader job opportunities and a higher salary. “The CMM is well worth having because it can change the trajectory of your career,” Bennett says.
