Health Services Administration
Health Services Administration Angelina House HSC 111 10-26-12 Health services administrators can also be called medical services managers or healthcare executives. They are responsible for managing the business of healthcare at a facility, or within a department of a facility. Their job duties can vary, depending on their level of management, the size of the facility, their level of education, and work experience. Healthcare administrators play an important role in healthcare services.
Most healthcare administrators have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have a master’s degree as well. In addition, although it is very rare to pursue it, there is also a Ph. D. available. There are some bachelor’s degree programs online, and even more master’s degree programs. This is because many administrators gain some experience in the field, before deciding on a master’s program. Therefore, an online degree is designed to accommodate working individuals, as well as give them the opportunity to immediately implement their new knowledge in the workplace (Guide, 2012).
The typical college courses required to obtain a degree in healthcare administration include hospital organization and management, accounting and budgeting, human resources administration, marketing, strategic planning, health economics, law and ethics, and health information systems (Bureau, 2012). Master’s degree programs, which usually have a competitive admissions process, also include a one year residency in a medical facility (Health, 2012). There are many different settings in which someone with a degree in health services administration can be employed.
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These places are hospitals, physicians’ offices, dentists’ offices, home healthcare services, other practioners’ offices, outpatient care centers, ambulatory healthcare services, medical and diagnostic labs, and nursing and residential care facilities. Nursing home administrators must also be licensed through the state. Requirements for licensing vary from state to state but, in order to obtain a license, one must also pass an exam, and be under supervised practice for a set period of time.
As well, they must complete continuing education classes to keep that license valid (Guide, 2012). The Nursing Home Administrators State Board of Examiners regulates these licenses (Health, 2012). The job duties of healthcare administrators can vary depending upon their position and the facility of employment. Generally, they are responsible for improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare services, by implementing and creating policies and procedures, and in connection with that, must stay up to date on new laws and regulations.
They hire and supervise staff in their department or facility, create work schedules, and keep organized records of services. They may manage the finances, such as, patient fees and billing, and ordering necessary supplies. They must also effectively communicate with medical staff, other department heads, and higher ranking administrators (Bureau, 2012). Sometimes healthcare mangers are required to travel, for meetings, conventions, or to oversee other affiliated facilities (Guide, 2012).
Health services administrators usually work a full-time schedule, forty hours a week, or more. They may be required to work days, evenings, midnights, and weekends, because the facility they are employed at may operate twenty-four hours a day. Typically, entry-level administrators work forty to fifty hours a week, while senior level administrators may work over seventy hours a week. Managers may also be called in during an emergency situation (Guide, 2012). The median annual wage for health services administrators is about $85,000.
The amount of money earned varies by level of management, type of healthcare service provided, and the size of the facility. Lesser paid managers make about $50,000 per year, while high ranking mangers make up to about $150,000 per year (Bureau, 2012). The need for healthcare administrators is expected to grow by about twenty percent over the next ten years, faster than any other occupation. Factors that contribute to this are, the aging baby boom generation, and people living longer. As the demand for healthcare grows, so does the need for someone to mange that increasing demand (Bureau, 2012).
Healthcare administrators play a key role in the effective and efficient treatment of patients. There are a wide variety of job positions, and settings, for someone with a degree in health services management. The prospective job outlook and competitive wages make this a promising degree to obtain, as well the personal fulfillment of knowing that you are doing something that can help others. References Allied Health Schools. (2012). Health Services Administration Career Overview. Retrieved from http://www. llalliedhealthschools. com/health-careers/health-care-administrator/health-services-administration-career-overview Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor. (2012). Occupational Outlook Handbook. Medical and Health Services Managers. Retrieved from www. bls. gov/ooh/Management/Medical-and-health-services-managers. htm World Wide Learn. (2012). Guide to College Majors in Healthcare Administration. Retrieved from www. worldwidelearn. com/online-education-guide/health-medical/healthcare-administration-major. htm
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