How to Become a Healthcare Administrator: Education, Career Path, and Job Opportunities

Considering a career in healthcare administration? This guide will outline how to enter the field, the different roles healthcare administrators play, and whether you should consider a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration.

What Is Healthcare Administration?

Healthcare administration is the operational or business side of healthcare. It’s the oversight and management of health-related organizations, including hospitals, nursing homes, medical offices, and insurance companies. Unlike medical assistants, nurses, and other front-facing medical staff, healthcare administration does not play a direct role in patient care. Instead, administrators improve the patient experience by supporting staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and organizational workflows, all of which have an indirect but influential impact on the patient experience.

What Does a Healthcare Administrator Do?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare administrators (also called medical and health service managers) direct, plan, and coordinate a healthcare facility’s business activities. Typical job responsibilities include: (1)

• Developing goals and objectives to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare services.
• Ensuring the facility complies with relevant laws and regulations.
• Preparing facility budgets.
• Monitoring patient fees and billing.
• Recruiting, training, and supervising staff members.
• Creating work schedules.
• Representing the facility at investor or governing board meetings.
• Maintaining facility service records.

How to Become a Healthcare Administrator

There are multiple paths to becoming a healthcare administrator. One of the more common approaches is to take the following steps:

Step 1: Research Healthcare Administration Career Paths

What type of facility do you see yourself working in? Healthcare administrators work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, public health agencies, and pharmaceutical or medical device companies. Each type of facility has its own operational demands and regulatory environment. Some administrators deal with day-to-day operations and logistics, while others focus on financial strategy, policy, or organizational leadership. Understanding which focus appeals to you helps narrow your career track.

If your goal is a mid-level management or senior executive role, what entry-level position will best prepare you for such a role? Your career is likely to start with an entry-level position such as an administrative coordinator, medical billing and coding specialist, or administrative assistant, which provides you with the experience you’ll need for more advanced roles.

Step 2: Consider Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration

While some healthcare administrators advance their careers through extensive work experience, some administrative roles require a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree helps students develop foundational knowledge in healthcare operations, leadership, finance, ethics, and policy.

Administrative jobs that require a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration include: (2)

• Clinical supervisors, who manage the daily operations of healthcare clinics.
• Medical billing managers, who supervise a facility’s medical billing department, tracking insurance and patient payments.
• Practice administrators, who oversee facility staff, including recruitment, contract negotiations, and hiring budgets.
• Human resources managers, who are responsible for staff hires, employee pay and benefits, and addressing workplace conflicts.

Step 3: Build Relevant Healthcare or Administrative Experience

Hands-on experience is a valuable asset when pursuing a healthcare administration career. Relevant experience can come from a variety of sources, including:

• Volunteer work: Volunteering at healthcare facilities in an administrative capacity provides valuable experience and may yield valuable references.
• Administrative office roles: Positions involving scheduling, records management, or office coordination help build practical operational skills, even if they are outside the healthcare field.
• Healthcare office experience: Working in a medical office, clinic, or hospital setting provides direct exposure to healthcare workflows and terminology.
• Customer service/patient services experience: Direct interaction with patients or clients helps build communication, service, and problem-solving skills that translate well to administrative work.

Step 4: Develop Leadership and Business Skills

Healthcare administrators must develop a range of business and interpersonal skills. Look for opportunities to improve these “soft” skills:

• Communication: Administrators must be able to clearly convey information to executives, staff, patients, and regulatory bodies.
• Organization: Healthcare administration requires the ability to manage and schedule multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Critical thinking: Administrators analyze problems and make time-sensitive decisions under pressure.

Step 5: Continue Learning as Your Career Goals Evolve

Healthcare administration changes as technology, policies, and industry standards evolve. Ongoing professional development through continuing education, certifications, industry conferences, or professional associations helps administrators stay current and adapt. Additional education may be required for higher-level positions. For instance, a nursing home administrator often requires a Master’s in Healthcare Administration (2).

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Healthcare Administrator?

An associate’s degree is sufficient for some entry-level positions in healthcare administration. However, some positions require a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration. Bachelor’s degrees in related fields such as business or public health may also meet a position’s educational requirements.

Is Becoming a Healthcare Administrator a Good Career?

Whether a career in healthcare administration is right for you is a personal decision. If you’re highly organized and gain satisfaction from helping people meet their health goals from behind the scenes, you may find healthcare administration to be a satisfying and rewarding career.

Skills for Success as a Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators should develop a diverse skill set, including: (3)

• Operational, resource management, and general management skills
• Awareness of the issues impacting the healthcare environment
• Interpersonal communication
• Leadership at individual and organizational levels
• Systemic thinking and critical problem solving
• Organizational and planning skills
• Awareness of ethics and integrity

Explore Carrington College’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration

Ready for a career in healthcare administration? Explore Carrington College’s Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration program, or contact our Admissions office for information on enrollment and student funding.