The constant evolution of the healthcare industry has created a growing demand for trained professionals who can lead clinics and practices through these fluctuating changes. Supporting patient care from the background, healthcare managers and administrators shoulder the responsibility of ensuring healthcare facilities function successfully in many different areas, from managing budgets and staffing to implementing new technologies and improving patient outcomes.
If you’re searching for a career in healthcare that emphasizes administrative duties and doesn’t involve direct patient care, you may have already started exploring healthcare management and administration positions and degrees. But what jobs can you get with a degree in healthcare management? With the number of positions and educational paths you can take, it can be challenging to narrow down your selection. To help, we're exploring the diverse array of careers within healthcare management, the educational requirements for each, and factors you’ll want to keep in mind as you make your selection.
In This Article
Understanding Jobs in Healthcare Management
Many people who have an interest in healthcare find that they do not have the desire to work directly with patients and handle actual medical care tasks. A healthcare management career allows you to work in the office or out front in a client-facing administration role, leaving the medical care tasks to trained medical professionals.
Regardless of their specific role, healthcare managers often wear many hats, each contributing to the operational success of healthcare facilities and organizations. Here are just a few of the common skills a healthcare manager might embody throughout their role:
- Leadership. They inspire and motivate teams to achieve common goals.
- Communication. They effectively convey information to diverse audiences, from patients and staff to stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
- Problem-solving. They identify challenges, analyze data, and implement solutions to improve processes and outcomes.
- Financial acumen. They manage budgets, negotiate contracts, and make strategic decisions that impact the financial health of their organization.
Due to the variety of healthcare management positions and types, the salary and educational requirements differ. Below, we’ll outline healthcare management roles by education level and explore the nuances of each.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Healthcare Management? Career Options by Education Level
There are multiple entry points into the healthcare management field, and your career path can evolve as you gain experience and education. Some professionals start in entry-level administrative roles and work their way up, while others enter the field with a degree in healthcare administration or a related field.
Since your educational choices can play a significant role in determining your career trajectory, let’s break down the different career options available at each educational level.
Entry-Level Healthcare Administration Jobs: Get Your Foot in the Door
While most healthcare management positions require a degree, entry-level roles offer a valuable opportunity to gain experience and build your resume. These positions often involve administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and assisting with billing and coding. The experience and educational requirements for these roles can vary by employer.
Role Titles
- Administrative Assistant. Often the first point of contact for patients, administrative assistants manage schedules, answer phones, greet visitors, and handle correspondence. They may also assist with billing and coding, insurance verification, and maintaining patient records.
- Medical Office Assistant. Like administrative assistants, medical office assistants focus on supporting the clinical staff. They may prepare exam rooms, assist with procedures, collect specimens, and perform basic laboratory tests.
- Health Unit Coordinator. Sometimes referred to as health unit clerks or receptionists, health unit coordinators act as liaisons between the nursing staff and other departments. They may coordinate patient admissions and discharges, manage supplies and equipment, and assist with scheduling and communication.
Career Path
These entry-level roles provide a valuable stepping stone for those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare management. With further education (such as a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree), you can advance to more senior administrative roles with greater responsibility and earning potential. Alternatively, you can leverage your experience to transition into management positions, where you'll oversee teams, manage budgets, and make strategic decisions that impact the organization's success.
Healthcare Administration Certificate Programs: Fast Track Your Career
Certificate programs offer a targeted and efficient route into healthcare management, which can be especially useful to individuals transitioning from other fields or seeking to hone specific skill sets. These programs typically last 12 months and focus on practical knowledge and skills that are immediately applicable to healthcare settings. Aspiring professionals can choose programs geared toward specialized roles, such as a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program.
Role Titles
- Medical Coding Specialist. Directly impacting the financial well-being of medical facilities, these specialists translate medical diagnoses and procedures into standardized codes for billing and insurance purposes.
- Medical Billing and Coding Specialist. As a broader role, medical billing and coding specialists handle the financial aspects of patient care, including submitting claims, verifying insurance coverage, and resolving billing issues.
- Health Information Technician. These data-driven professionals organize patient health records to ensure accuracy, confidentiality, and accessibility. Depending on the role, they may also be involved in data analysis and reporting.
Career Path
A healthcare administration certificate or specialized billing and coding certificate can open doors to entry-level positions in medical offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. With experience and additional education (such as an associate's or bachelor's degree), you can progress to supervisory roles, specialize in coding or billing, or pursue a wider range of management positions within the healthcare field.
Is a Certificate Right for You?
Consider a healthcare administration certificate if you:
- Want to quickly enter the healthcare field and gain practical skills.
- Are transitioning from another career and need a focused program to build healthcare-specific knowledge.
- Seek a specialized skill set in areas like coding or billing.
- Want to test the waters of healthcare management before committing to a longer degree program.
Associate Degree in Healthcare Management: Build a Strong Foundation
The associate degree in healthcare management is designed to help provide a basic education on the inner workings of the healthcare system and the best practices for leading within it. It focuses on project management and leadership skills that can help improve the function and operations of clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare facilities.
The College of Healthcare Professions (CHCP) offers a fully online AAS in Health Care Management. This flexible 80-hour program includes management and communication education as well as technology training and healthcare instruction. It provides education on how to handle change, which is inevitable in healthcare settings.
Other degree options include obtaining a Health and Medical Administrative Services AAS Degree, which focuses less on management responsibilities and instead allows students the opportunity to hone in on the front office skills necessary to succeed as a medical administrative specialist.
Role Titles
- Medical Services Manager. Manages the delivery of specific medical services within a hospital or clinic, ensuring quality care, efficient resource utilization, and regulatory compliance.
- Managerial Assistant in a Medical Facility. Provides administrative support to healthcare managers, including scheduling meetings, preparing reports, coordinating projects, and handling correspondence.
- Medical Records Manager. Oversees the management and maintenance of patient health records, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Health Insurance Manager. Manages the administration of health insurance plans, including enrollment, claims processing, provider relations, and customer service.
- Physician Practice Manager. Oversees the administrative and business aspects of a physician practice, including budgeting, billing, marketing, human resources, and patient relations.
- Health Department Manager. Oversees the operations of a public health department, focusing on disease prevention, health promotion, and community outreach.
Career Path
Many healthcare management jobs require a bachelor's degree; however, an associate degree can open doors to various entry- to mid-level management positions in the healthcare industry. Graduates can work as practice managers, clinical supervisors, or project coordinators. With experience and further education (such as a bachelor's or master's degree), they can advance to more senior leadership roles, such as health information managers, patient finance managers, or program directors.
Is an Associate Degree Right for You?
Consider an associate degree in healthcare management if you:
- Want a solid foundation in healthcare management principles and practices.
- Seek a career path with opportunities for advancement and leadership.
- Are interested in a shorter educational pathway than a bachelor's degree.
- Want to gain the skills and knowledge to make a real impact on the quality of healthcare delivery.
Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration: Open Doors to Leadership
A Healthcare Administration Bachelor of Science Degree Program focuses on helping a student learn the skills required to take on higher roles in leadership within the healthcare industry. People who graduate with this degree should have a detailed knowledge of how the healthcare system works and the ability to help healthcare facilities navigate a changing world. Typically, the bachelor’s degree program includes instruction in all the skills emphasized in the associate degree, along with additional medical and administrative skills.
Graduating with a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration means a greater number of potential career paths. Many of the careers available to those with an associate degree are also available to those with a bachelor’s degree, in addition to others. These graduates are often able to pursue upper-level healthcare manager roles instead of entry-level options.
At CHCP, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration, which is a degree completion program that covers approximately 96 weeks of training and is completely online. It covers communication and public speaking, risk management, finances within the healthcare world, statistics and data, and basic managerial skills. The flexibility of the online platform, combined with the comprehensive nature of this training, makes it a good option for those who already have an associate degree and are ready to take the next step toward a fulfilling career in healthcare management.
Role Titles
- Patient Finance Manager. Manages the financial aspects of patient care, including billing, insurance claims processing, collections, and financial counseling.
- Practice Manager/Practice Administrator. Oversees the administrative and business operations of a group medical practice, including staffing, budgeting, and patient relations.
- Healthcare or Medical Office Manager. Manages the day-to-day operations of a healthcare facility, ensuring efficient patient flow, quality care, and regulatory compliance.
- Clinical Supervisor. Supervises and coordinates the activities of clinical staff to ensure adherence to protocols and help maintain high standards of care.
- Healthcare Project Coordinator. Plans, organizes, and manages healthcare projects, working to make sure they’re completed on time and within budget.
- Healthcare Administrator. Leads and manages a department or unit within a healthcare organization, such as surgery, emergency medicine, or radiology.
- Hospital Department Manager. Overseeing the operations of a specific department within a hospital, such as nursing, laboratory services, or pharmacy.
Where They Work
The BLS reports that the majority of health and medical managers — 30% — are employed in state, local, and private hospitals. Other common locations of employment include physicians’ offices, nursing and residential care facilities, government facilities, and outpatient care centers.
Career Path
With a bachelor's degree, you're not limited to entry-level roles. Instead, you'll be qualified to pursue a broad spectrum of positions across various healthcare settings, from hospitals and clinics to insurance companies and government agencies. You can specialize in areas like healthcare quality, health information management, or even healthcare consulting. To advance to even higher levels of management, you may also consider pursuing a master's degree.
Is a Bachelor's Degree Right for You?
Consider a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management if you:
- Want a comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems, financial management, policy, and leadership.
- Seek a career path with a strong emphasis on leadership, strategic decision-making, and organizational change.
- Are interested in a wide range of career options across different healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and government agencies.
- Are driven to improve the quality of healthcare, advocate for patients, and contribute to positive change in the healthcare industry.
Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA): Taking Your Education Further
A Master's in Healthcare Administration (MHA) is often the gold standard for those aspiring to reach the pinnacle of healthcare leadership. This advanced degree should equip you with the specialized knowledge, strategic insights, and executive skills to navigate the complexities of the healthcare landscape and drive transformative change.
With an MHA, you'll be poised to pursue executive-level roles that shape the future of healthcare organizations. In many of these positions, you’ll be responsible for strategic planning, financial oversight, operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of excellence in patient care.
Role Titles
- Hospital Administrator/CEO. Leads a hospital or healthcare system, overseeing all aspects of operations, from clinical services to financial management.
- Chief Operating Officer (COO). Manages the day-to-day operations of a healthcare organization, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of care.
- Health System Executive. Oversees multiple facilities or departments within a health system, driving strategic initiatives and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Where They Work
Healthcare executives may be found in a number of different settings, from hospitals and clinics to government agencies and consulting firms.
Career Path
A master’s degree in healthcare administration equips you with the tools to navigate the complex and ever-changing healthcare landscape from a high-level leadership position. It can be a challenging but incredibly rewarding path for those who aspire to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Apart from your education, building experience is a critical component for growing in this field.
Is a Master’s Degree Right for You?
Consider a Master's in Healthcare Administration (MHA) if you:
- Envision yourself at the helm of a healthcare organization, making strategic decisions that impact patient care, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability.
- Are eager to deepen your knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, leadership, and innovation, positioning yourself as a sought-after expert in the field.
- Aim to target senior-level and executive positions like hospital CEO, COO, or health system executive, where you can influence the direction of the entire organization.
- Are seeking a graduate degree that will fast-track your career advancement and open doors to high-paying, impactful positions.
- Have already completed a bachelor’s degree in a similar field.
- Are driven to improve healthcare delivery, advocate for change, and lead the industry into the future.
How to Choose the RightHealthcare Management Career for You
Choosing the right healthcare management career requires a thorough evaluation of your goals, interests, and more. Some top considerations you’ll want to consider as you make your decision include:
- Personal Interests and Passions. What aspects of healthcare management most excite you? Do you enjoy working with people, analyzing data, or solving problems? Do you prefer a more dynamic role with many moving parts, or would you rather specialize in a specific area? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you begin narrowing down your options.
- Education Requirements and Time Commitment. What is your preference when it comes to how long it will take you to complete your education? Are there any financial factors that can impact which degree or certificate you pursue? It’s important to make sure that your desired path is aligned with the demands of your current situation.
- Salary Expectations and Growth Potential. What are your financial goals? How important is career advancement to you? Knowing how high you want to climb can help you get a better sense of where to start.
- Work-Life Balance and Desired Work Environment. What kind of work-life balance are you looking for? Do you prefer a fast-paced hospital setting or a more relaxed office environment? Will your education – and consequently career – need to provide remote flexibility? Part of taking the steps towards your career is building a clear vision of what you want the future to look like once you’ve achieved your goals, and seeing which positions could support your desired lifestyle.
Launch YourHealthcare Management Education with CHCP
Interested in pursuing a career in the growing field of healthcare management? CHCP offers both an associate's and a bachelor's degree training program entirely online. The flexibility of these programs could make CHCP a logical choice for you to begin or advance your career. Reach out to an admissions representative today to learn more about the CHCP healthcare administration degrees and how you can get started on your healthcare management career path today.
