Professionals who want to enjoy a dynamic, exciting career with good pay and demand may consider various healthcare occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports job demand will increase by 18% through 2026, which is much faster than average. There will be approximately 2.4 million more new healthcare jobs during this period. In fact, healthcare jobs will add more positions than any other type of work in the US.
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See the Best Online MBA Healthcare Management degree programs
Professionals in the healthcare space can increase their job prospects by earning a degree in healthcare management.
Here are 13 of the best things you can do with this hot degree in the healthcare field:
- Healthcare administrator. These well-paid healthcare administrative professionals, also known as hospital administrators, are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating medical and health services in a hospital or other type of medical facility. They are responsible for working closely with clinical staff and other healthcare workers to ensure the facility is being running efficiently and according to federal and state regulations. A degree in healthcare management will provide you with the skills to enhance the efficiency and quality of the facilty’s healthcare services. As the US population is aging and more medical facility’s open, it is expected jobs in this area will increase by 20% in the next several years.
- Nursing home administrator. The US population is living longer than it ever has, and people are living more active lives into their 70s and 80s and beyond. As people are living longer, there is a growing need for nursing homes and healthcare management professionals to run them. A nursing home administrator is responsible for managing admissions, staff, finances and building upkeep, as well as care for the nursing home residents. When you earn this degree, you also will be required to obtain state licensure to run a nursing home in your state.
- Health information manager. These health information professionals are responsible for maintaining the security and access of all patient data and records. This job is becoming more important as medical facilities shift to electronic health records or EHRs. EHRs are needed to efficiently manage healthcare information for millions of patients across the country. That information must be accessible and shareable between medical offices, but also secure from hackers. Job demand in this field will rise by 12% or more in the next six years.
- Health care actuary. An actuary performs detailed actuarial analysis that gives critical information to stakeholders and decision makers in the healthcare field. This information drops the risk that is associated with making certain decisions. The health care actuary’s work has a strong effect on healthcare financing and delivery. Most healthcare actuaries have a background in actuarial science and may also have a degree in healthcare management.
- Healthcare management analyst. These may be called healthcare management consultants. They propose new ways for the healthcare organization to improve its efficiency. They provide higher level managers with advice to make the healthcare organization more profitable over the short and long term. Most healthcare management analysts work for a consulting company in the healthcare space, but others may work for the facility itself. Employment in this field will increase by at least 14% by 2026, but it could go even higher in the healthcare space as more healthcare facilities are opening.
- Health informatics director. As more medical facilities are using electronic medical records, there is a stronger need for leaders in the health informatics space. This job involves leading the adoption of the new electronic healthcare record system for the medical facility, and implementing processes that will make electronic reporting go smoother. Some in this role may have a clinical background in medicine or nursing, as well as a healthcare management or informatics degree.
- Community health educator. This career path has more of a focus on public health, but having strong healthcare management skills is also important. Health educators plan public health events and services tailored to a community’s needs. This career path should see at least 10% growth by 2026.
- Pharmaceutical project manager. This professional analyzes various investment opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, and develops plans to promote pharmaceutical products. As pharmaceuticals become more and more important to maintain our health as we age, the job market for this occupation will only grow in the next decade.
- Healthcare risk manager. This worker assesses and minimizes risk to patients, staff and the public in many healthcare organizations. Healthcare risk management is a proactive process that is designed to prevent losses for the health care system. The focus is on measurable and objective goals that cut down on malpractice legal claims and reduces employee turnover.
- Cost estimator. This professional collects healthcare price and cost data to estimate the money, time and labor that is needed to provide a healthcare service or manufacture a product. As competition grows in the healthcare space, it is becoming more important to price healthcare services competitively. It is expected jobs will rise 11% in this field through 2026.
- Medical records and health information technician. This professional also may be known as a health information technician. He is responsible for organizing and maintaining health information data for patients and organizations. This is done by ensuring the data maintains critical quality, accuracy and accessibility. It also is vital that the data is secure from hackers, given the importance of medical privacy. You will learn how to use certain medical information classification systems to categorize and code the patient information so insurance companies can do reimbursements. Job demand in this field will rise by 13% by 2026; this growth is being fueled by the aging population who will require more medical services.
- Operations research analyst. These healthcare management professionals use analytical and mathematical methods to assist healthcare organizations to solve efficiency challenges. They work with stakeholders in the medical organization and help them to solve healthcare and business related problems. They help managers to decide how to best allocate healthcare dollars, employees and supplies to make the healthcare facility or hospital run more efficiently. Job demand will rise by a big 27% in the next six years, but it could be higher in the healthcare space.
- Market research analyst. These marketing and healthcare professionals study the current market conditions to determine what the possible price of a healthcare product or service could be. They assist healthcare companies to understand better what the products are that people want and who will buy them and at what price. As healthcare facilities and organizations get more competitive, it is expected job demand will rise 23% in this field. Read more about this market research analyst path.
References
- Medical and Health Services Manager. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-2
- Healthcare Occupations. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm
- 9 Huge Opportunities in Healthcare for Tech Focused Entrepreneurs. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/304259
- Salary Outlook with a Healthcare Management vs Administration (2017). Retrieved from https://www.businessstudent.com/careers/salary-outlook-healthcare-administration-vs-management-degree/
