Healthcare Admin: A Booming Career in a Booming Industry

Doctors walking around in their crisp white coats, nurses running from station to station and responding to emergency calls, technicians manning sophisticated medical machines… these are the images that come to mind when you think of a career in healthcare.

But have you ever wondered who the force behind the smooth functioning of a healthcare unit is? Who are the people who work behind the scenes to manage a hospital’s finances, hire the best talent, implement policies, create work schedules, etc. – all the activities that ensure patients receive the best possible care?

That’s the job of a healthcare administrator (also known as health services manager). According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s description, healthcare administrators plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services.

If a career in healthcare administration sounds like something you would be interested in, you should know that it is one of the most promising profession in one of the most sought-after industries in the country (and globally).

Why choose a career in healthcare?

For someone who’s at the brink of choosing a career path, it may not come as a total surprise that healthcare is a booming industry. If your parents, teachers, career counselors, cousins, neighbors, are nudging you towards a career in healthcare, they have good reason to do so.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the healthcare and social assistance sector is projected to add 5 million jobs in the 2012-22 decade, accounting for nearly one-third of the total projected increase in jobs.

So, you know there are more than enough jobs in the healthcare industry, but why should you consider a career in healthcare administration specifically?

That’s because even within the thriving healthcare industry, healthcare administration has one of the most promising job outlooks. According to the BLS, employment of healthcare administrators is projected to grow by 23 percent from 2012 to 2022 at a much faster rate than the average for ALL occupations.

As for where you can work as a healthcare administration, there are plenty of options that you can choose from. From hospitals and physician offices to working with geriatrics at a nursing care facilities and outpatient care centers – all types of healthcare units require the services of healthcare administrators to function smoothly. Job opportunities also exist in diagnostic centers, psychiatric hospitals, and rehabilitation centers for substance abuse.

Attractive compensation

A neat paycheck is another factor that makes a career in healthcare administration so attractive. According to payscale.com data, the median annual income of a healthcare administrator stands at a whopping $97,000.

Compensation ranges from $49,000 to $181,000 per year and depends to a great extent on the experience level and location of the candidate. For example, payscale pegs entry-level compensation for healthcare administrators at $75,000 per year.

In addition to great earnings, healthcare administrators are, in most cases, also entitled to medical, dental, and vision benefits.

But forget about the compensation and benefits for a moment. Keep aside the ample opportunities and job security. Is it still as good a profession?

Yes, it is. That’s because as a part of the healthcare fraternity, you can play your part in improving people’s lives day after day after day. Can anything be more satisfying than that?

If you’re convinced that a career in healthcare administration is an ideal fit for you, we at Concordia University Texas, offer just the right program to help you achieve your goal. Enroll for our healthcare administration online degree now and prepare for ‘a booming career in a booming industry’.