Healthcare management is an increasingly attractive field. More and more business students are choosing this specialization because of their skill set, a desire to work in this unique and important industry, or an interest in working in a hospital or clinic rather than a traditional company. Healthcare management involves a variety of responsibilities, not limited to handling finances, approving budgets, filing claims, scheduling and training, and helping to shape a clinic or hospital's public image.

To help healthcare managers succeed in this line of work, healthcare management students study basic business principles, as well as those that are unique to the health care industry. They must have thorough knowledge of the healthcare system, specifically of the laws and policies governing health care and the way the insurance industry functions. Much of a healthcare manager's skills are acquired on site, so employers are impressed by candidates who apply with internships, work study, or volunteer experience in healthcare management.

All jobs in healthcare are expected to grow over the coming years, and healthcare management is no exception. Now is an excellent time to pursue a graduate degree in healthcare management, as students will likely find that an investment in education is a good choice. 

Career Specializations

• Gastroenterology: Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that concentrates on the digestive system -- primarily the stomach and intestines. Healthcare managers in gastroenterologist offices must have some background or training in this specialization to effectively lead such a department.
• Dermatology: Dermatologists are responsible for working with their patients' skin, helping make it as healthy and presentable as possible. Dermatology is a popular medical specialization, and is likewise a popular healthcare management field.
• Cardiology: Cardiologists are some of the most in-demand medical professionals, as they work with people's hearts and circulatory systems. Healthcare managers in cardiology offices are some of the highest paid, as these offices tend to be well-equipped and well-staffed.
• Ophthalmology: Opthalmology is the study of the eye. It is closely related to optometry, which focuses more on vision correction. Opthalmologists tend to spend more time diagnosing and treating diseases of the eye, and are the only eye care specialists qualified to perform eye surgery.
• Obstetrics: Obstetrics and gynecology is the area of medicine dedicated to female reproduction and childbirth, and healthcare managers in obstetrician's offices must be adept at working with women and handling sensitive issues. 
• Orthopedics: Orthopedic offices provide services to those who have skeletal injuries or deformities, usually encompassing physical therapy. Managers who run these offices typically have some background in orthopedics themselves. 
• Pediatrics: Pediatric healthcare managers must enjoy working with young children, as pediatric healthcare offices cater to babies and young children. 
• Internal Medicine: Healthcare managers who work in internal medicine must have formal medical training, preferably in diagnostics and treatment. 

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Degree Levels Available for Healthcare Management

• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
• Master's Degree: 1-3 years to complete
• PhD Degree: 4-5 years to complete

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Education & Certification Requirements

It is now the norm for all healthcare managers to have master's degrees specifically in healthcare management (often called healthcare administration). There are numerous traditional and online master's degree programs available for prospective administrators, which combine the study of the United States health system through courses in insurance, ethics, and law, as well as the study of basic management principles: human resources, finance, accounting, marketing, leadership, and public relations. Some programs focus more on business than others, and some programs include more medical training than others.

Students enter master's degree programs in healthcare management with many different backgrounds. Some are recent college graduates, holding bachelor's degrees as diverse as business, biology, nursing, communications, legal studies, pharmaceuticals, and finance. Many graduate students are already medical professionals -- some are even doctors -- who wish to enter the management field. 

Certification is not technically mandatory by law, but it is preferred by most healthcare management employers. The American Health Information Management Association offers certification to those individuals who pass an exam and commit to professional development. Becoming a Registered Health Information Administrator can be a significant benefit on the job market. 

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Salary Information

It is standard practice for most healthcare managers to hold master's degrees in the field, and salaries are relatively high in reflection of this education requirement. The average earnings of all healthcare managers were $80,240 annually in 2008. A better prediction of the expected salary for healthcare managers is the size of the setting they work in. Managers of facilities with six or fewer physicians earn an average of $82,423 per year while those who lead departments with twenty-six or more physicians typically earn about $119,000 annually. 

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Job Outlook

Like all other careers in health care, healthcare management is expected to grow quickly. By 2018, the job market for all healthcare manager positions is expected to grow by about 16 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Experienced candidates who hold master's degrees, and especially those who hold PhDs, should expect good job opportunities. Big cities usually offer the most opportunities and the highest salaries, but  healthcare managers are generally in need everywhere. 

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Related Careers

Careers in business require many of the same skills as careers in healthcare management, and healthcare management degree programs are often offered by business schools. Students in healthcare management must study finance, accounting, and human resources, just as all other business students. General management, obviously, is very similar to healthcare management, as most of the demands placed on general managers are also placed on healthcare managers. Managers work in nearly every business setting imaginable, and must oversee other employees and handle financial and scheduling matters. Unlike health care management, general managers do not usually need to have a postgraduate degree, though this can make the job search easier. 

There are several types of workplaces that have similar structures and restrictions to healthcare settings. Social workers, for example, are guided by very specific financial and ethical laws, but have the ultimate goal of providing necessary services to those in need. Some social workers are also medical professionals, but they can work with criminals, children, the elderly, or substance abusers. Unlike healthcare managers, however, social workers do not usually earn high salaries. Those who work for nonprofit agencies are very similar to, and often are, social workers. Nonprofits are charitable organizations, which are governed by different restrictions than for-profit organizations.

Careers in public administration are essentially government careers. Like healthcare administrators, public administrators must study the specific demands of their career choice, and are often legally responsible for the results of their decisions and the decisions of their staff. Some public administrators are also healthcare administrators. 

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