Online Healthcare Management Degrees
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Healthcare management degrees train students to become leaders in medical and health services facilities. In these programs, students complete courses in areas of healthcare policy, such as health law and health technology, along with management courses in topics like finance, strategy, and innovation. Graduates are prepared to begin a career as a health services manager; these positions are expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate over the next few years, as the entire healthcare sector expands.
The world of healthcare management can be very fast paced and exciting. Healthcare facilities are businesses just like any other, and need to run as efficiently as any business would. Healthcare managers need to make sure that the organization is running smoothly and efficiently at all times. The way that healthcare facilities are being run is constantly changing, so these individuals must be on top of the new changes such as new technology and computers, delivery systems, and the restructuring of work flows.
In large facilities, healthcare managers may be in charge of specific areas such as nursing, medical records, or therapy. In smaller facilities, healthcare managers will be in charge of all areas and have a few assistants. In some cases, there are even healthcare management individuals who are in charge of multiple facilities within a healthcare network. This would require them to travel to different facilities on different days of the week. The work environment of a healthcare manager is typically conducted in a private office, but it is sometimes shared with other staff members. Since these facilities are open at all times, a healthcare manager must always be on the job, so their hours may vary.
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Learn more about Kaplan University - Healthcare Programs
What are some of the specializations within this degree program?
- Hospitals: This is the most commonly thought of setting for healthcare managers. These professionals are in charge of managing all of the day-to-day operations of a hospital and coordinating the staff.
- Nursing Homes: These managers focus on a more niche population, the elderly, and also generally work in smaller facilities than general hospitals. They have to deal with certain issues on a more regular basis than hospital managers, as their patients are more long-term and have unique needs.
- Mental Health Facilities: Managers in this area are once again focussing on a smaller population than those who work in general hospitals. Experience in abnormal psychology or behavior is valuable for a position in this field.
- Research: There are also jobs for those interested in the research side of healthcare management, that is, study and improving the field so that those practicing it in healthcare facilities can do a better job.
What degree levels are available?
- Bachelor's Degree: 4 years
- Master's Degree: 2-3 years
What are the educational and certification requirements?
In order for individuals to be as familiar as possible with the policies and regulation that go into healthcare management, it is important to achieve a master's degree in this field. Some entry-level positions will allow a minimum of a high school degree plus experience to get a job, but most will require a graduate degree. Individuals with an associate or undergraduate degree in this field will find it more difficult to get hired. For the best career prospects, students must first earn a bachelor's degree in healthcare management or a related field, which will take about four years to complete. Then, they should earn a master's degree in healthcare management or a related field, which will take an average of two to three additional years.
During the degree program, it is also very important for students to complete an internship or externship. The experience gained during an internship or externship is vital to the success of the student. Some of the important courses that individuals will take while they are in school are hospital organization, hospital management, marketing, strategic planning, law, ethics, and human resource administration.
For most jobs within the healthcare management field, certification is not required once students have completed their educational requirements. However, managers wishing to work in nursing facilities must have their bachelor's degree plus certification. Certification can be achieved through Registered Health Information Administrator that is provided by the American Health Information Management Association. They can achieve this certification by passing an exam to show their proficiency in this field.
What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?
Healthcare management courses are designed to train students in the administrative skills that are required for managing a healthcare facility. These programs contain a mixture of management-specific coursework, as well as classes in public health and healthcare delivery. Students leave the program with an understanding of the sensitive issues that can arise in a healthcare setting, and the management tools for planning and growing the future of a healthcare office.
The public health and healthcare delivery aspect of this degree gives students a familiarity with the healthcare system and its structure and functions. The basic course healthcare environments and organizations discusses the different healthcare facilities that exist and the types of care that each provides. Courses in public health and the law cover the ways that legislation can impact people's access to care. Health information technology classes are also common requirements; these classes teach future managers the electronic medical records system and other digital ways that healthcare organizations store information.
Along with these courses about the healthcare system, these degrees also contain a number of classes in management techniques that are specific to the medical environment. A class in healthcare finance discusses how healthcare organizations develop budgets and invest their funds; nonprofit management classes cover the particular structure of nonprofit organizations and the obstacles that can arise for nonprofit administrators.
If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?
It depends on the type of healthcare management degree program. Those designed for current healthcare professionals such as physicians or dentists usually do not have any on-site requirements, since these workers are already very familiar with the healthcare setting. However, most healthcare management master's degrees for individuals new to the field do require students to complete an internship in a healthcare organization, in order to get hands-on experience.
What are some other degrees that are related to this program?
Several other degree programs also contain course work in health services and management. A degree in medical office administration contains similar course requirements, although these programs may be geared towards smaller healthcare environments. Degree programs in healthcare information systems prepare students to become health information managers. Degrees in nursing can prepare registered nurses with the skills to become supervisors and nurse managers. A master's degree in public health can potentially prepare graduates for management positions if they have previous business experience.
Individuals more interested in the clinical aspects of healthcare could seek out a degree in physician assisting; physician assistants work under the supervision of doctors to help diagnose and treat illnesses.
