St. Louis College of Health Careers offers a Healthcare Administration program that features blended learning. This means you can complete your degree by taking a combination of online and in-person courses. Online classes give you the flexibility to study and complete assignments on your own time, without having to change your work schedule or other daily commitments.
If you’re drawn to the healthcare field but clinical duties don’t appeal to you, a career in healthcare administration can allow you to still be a part of the medical community and make a difference in people’s lives.
But before you decide to enroll in a program, make sure to learn more about healthcare administration so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
What Is a Healthcare Administrator?
A healthcare administrator manages the daily operations of a medical facility, including things like staffing, finances and work efficiency. Healthcare administrators typically don’t interact with patients, but they work closely with doctors, nurses and other staff members. They can work in a variety of medical facilities, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, government facilities and nursing homes.
Healthcare administrators are vital to keeping a medical facility running smoothly and are often required to have a multidimensional skillset.
What Are the Duties of a Healthcare Administrator?
The duties of a healthcare administrator can vary based on the type of facility they work for, but typically revolve around the following:
- Managing finances and budgets
- Hiring and training new employees
- Implementing changes to increase workplace efficiency
- Maintaining health records
- Developing work schedules for doctors, nurses and staff
- Ensuring the facility adheres to healthcare laws and regulations
Healthcare administrators are expected to have a range of roles wherever they work and be open to learning new skills. They are also required to be well-versed in state and federal laws to ensure their facility’s compliance with HIPAA laws.
What Skills Does a Healthcare Administrator Need to Possess?
Successful healthcare administrators are dynamic individuals who are driven to improve patient care and experiences in a medical facility. Communicating with others takes up a large chunk of a healthcare administrator’s daily responsibilities, but it’s far from their only role.
Administrators need to be able to juggle multiple tasks. Some of the important skills and qualities of a successful healthcare administrator include:
- Excellent organization and time management
- Budgeting
- Openness to change and learning new things
- Leadership
- Extensive knowledge of law and healthcare regulations
- Problem solving
- Technological savviness
How to Become a Healthcare Administrator
Depending on how much time you want to spend in school or how deep you wish to dive into the profession, there are several pathways to becoming a healthcare administrator. If you’re unsure if healthcare administration is the right option for you, you can get your feet wet by getting a Healthcare Administration associate degree, which prepares you for entry-level positions and can be completed in three consecutive semesters.
Another more advanced and academically challenging option is a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration with specialized coursework geared toward preparing you for a full-fledged career as a healthcare administrator. SLCHC offers a bachelor’s degree for students who have obtained a healthcare-related associate degree or have accumulated 60 hours of transfer credit.
If you wish to further stand out from your competition and advance your career after you obtain a bachelor’s degree, consider enrolling in a Master of Health program. Many higher-level and top-paying healthcare administration careers require a graduate degree. Earning one may help you achieve the next level of career advancement.
Earn Your Healthcare Degree from Missouri-Based St. Louis College of Health Careers in as Few as 36 Weeks
Whether you’re interested in becoming a healthcare administrator or pursing another healthcare-related career, be sure to browse our rich catalog of programs. We offer a variety of degrees and flexible learning opportunities, including online and evening classes for working professionals.
To learn how SLCHC can propel you toward success, call (866) 529-2070 or send us a message.