What Can I Do with a
Degree in Healthcare Management?

What jobs can you get with a healthcare management degree?

Many students choose to pursue a health administration degree in order to gain the business skills required for a management role in the healthcare field. Here are some potential jobs you could land with a bachelor’s degree:

• Healthcare Department Manager. Healthcare department managers oversee a specific department or team within an organization. They may oversee nursing, surgery or physical therapy departments and will have different responsibilities based on their specialty. If you already have work experience as a nurse or medical assistant, for example, becoming a healthcare manager is one way you can advance your healthcare career.
• Healthcare Finance Manager. Healthcare finance managers are responsible for the day-to-day financial management of a healthcare organization or practice. Specific responsibilities could include managing cash flow, designing budgets and evaluating compensation. They might also track and report on the financial health of the organization or department. If you are interested in the business of healthcare and enjoy working with numbers, this could be a good fit for you.
• Quality and Improvement Manager. As a quality and improvement manager, you would be responsible for ensuring that your organization complies with current care standards. You might also oversee the evaluation of current processes and determine areas for improvement. Some quality and improvement managers also lead workshops and training seminars to help other members of the healthcare team stay up to speed with best practices. In addition to earning your bachelor’s degree, you will need several years of experience and additional certification to become a quality and improvement manager.
• Healthcare Administrator. Healthcare administrators might manage one hospital or oversee an entire healthcare system. They are in charge of ensuring smooth operations and can also play a role in long-term planning for the organization. Healthcare administrators must have at least a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree in healthcare management is often required for continued career advancement. Nurses considering jobs in healthcare administration can also find unique administrative roles in nursing departments, although specialty degrees such as a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Administration can help you qualify best for these roles.
• Physician Practice Manager. Physician practice managers lead a healthcare organization’s business strategy. Specific responsibilities include managing budgets, developing new strategies to grow the business, and overseeing day-to-day operations. Many employers prefer candidates to have a master’s degree in healthcare or business management for these roles.

You can expect these kinds of positions to require applicants to have an associate degree in healthcare administration or management:

• Administrative Support Specialist
• Administrative Coordinator
• Medical Secretary
• Patient Service Representative
• Operations Assistant

Your day-to-day tasks will include working and communicating with medical personnel to facilitate the everyday options of the institution, including staffing, patient relations, inventory control and scheduling.

If you're interested in the field of health information technology, you may also consider the health information management career pathway. Learn more about how to become a health information manager, including typical job responsibilities, certifications, and unique degree requirements.

Do I need an master's degree?

If you are currently a healthcare professional looking to make the jump from clinical practice to management, a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration is the best track for you. Through an MS program, you will gain the specialized knowledge and expertise in modern healthcare issues, trends and tools that you need to succeed in upper-management roles. Earning your master’s degree can qualify you for leadership roles in healthcare management, including:

Several years of experience working in the healthcare industry plus an MS in Healthcare Management will make your resume jump out to potential employers.

As a healthcare manager, you’ll learn the inner workings of the healthcare system. Your management skills will allow you to serve as a competent and capable leader, helping hospitals, small practices, insurance companies and a variety of other institutions navigate the changing healthcare environment.