How to Become a Health Administrator
Health administrators are responsible for the overall management of an office and business aspects of a nursing home, hospital or clinic. A health administrator may oversee an entire facility or a specific department. Administrators supervise managers and staff, implement policies and procedures, and oversee a budget.
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Things You'll Need
- Certificate
- Four-year degree
- Master's degree in health administration
- License for nursing home career
Instructions
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Prepare for work as a health administrator by earning a 2-year degree or a certificate in health care administration to land an entry-level position in a health care facility. Experience working as a clerk or medical billing coder provides an edge over the competition. Many professionals continue their education while working in an office or directly in the field with patients as a certified nursing aide, medical technician or nurse.
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Consider specializing when looking at educational programs. Health administrators often begin their careers with 4-year degrees in marketing, hospital management, human resources or health care information management. Accounting, health care law and nursing graduates often use their training as a stepping-stone into the profession. Medical specialties also should be considered to help you stand out. Health care administrators can focus on medical specialties such as oncology, geriatric care or mental health.
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Gain some experience in the health care administration arena either before entering graduate school or while you are completing your advanced degree. Top administrator jobs require experience, and any time spent in the trenches will round out your chances of landing a spot as an administrator once you compete your graduate level studies.
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Earn a 2-year Master's degree in health administration. Entry into health care administration programs is competitive and requires a high grade point average as well as a well-rounded work background. Most accredited Master's programs include a 1-year internship in a health care setting. Online Master's programs in health care administration are prolific. MBA degrees (Master's of business administration) are also available that offer a health care focus.
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Tips & Warnings
Only health care administrators at nursing homes are required to pass a licensing examination and get a license from their Nursing Home Administrators State Board of Examiners.
Be prepared to work up to the top administrator post even with advanced degrees and experience. Most health administrators work as managers for a significant period of time before landing top spots in hospitals and other facilities.
