The global pandemic has taught us all just how important healthcare jobs are. If you’re someone who hopes to put your experience in healthcare to work as a healthcare administrator, your services will be in high demand. In need of healthcare leaders more than ever before, the global healthcare industry is looking for people to work at all levels of healthcare administration with all populations.
Regardless of whether you hope to earn a masters in public administration to work in the nonprofit sector or in public administration, there are a few things you’ll need to do to secure that healthcare administration job. If this might be the career path for you or you hope to learn more about how to become a healthcare leader, read on.
Healthcare Education
One of the fastest ways to get into healthcare administration is to have the right degree behind you. While it’s possible to work your way up in-home care, the private sector, non-profit management, and even in a hospital setting, earning a master’s in administration is a great way to make your specialization and career goals stand out when it comes time to apply for that leadership job.
A graduate degree in public health or public administration is a great way to learn the skills you’ll need to manage a group of healthcare providers, run a non-profit organization, promote public health agendas as an advocate, and manage private and public finances in the healthcare industry. Combining this high-level degree with experience in the healthcare field as a caregiver, doctor, nurse, or another healthcare worker will mean the ability to make a huge impact on health policy and patient care.
Getting Experience
No matter where you begin your career in healthcare, any experience you get working in the field will add up to helping you to become a healthcare administrator. Whether you do an internship in health education, pass medications, or work in an accounting office on Medicare billable expenses, your experience in the field will pay off down the road.
Perhaps you live in the Garden State and hope to work in senior health services in Belleville, NJ as an administrator of an assisted living community one day. In starting as a caregiver for the elderly while you work on your MPA degree, you’ll put yourself in the position of being a better leader down the road.
Networking
During your MPA program and early on in your career, it’s a good idea to network with others in the healthcare field. While in school or working in the field, do what you can to keep up-to-date contacts. As your career moves ahead, others’ careers will, too. Those who you work with indirect client care now could be administrative and senior management colleagues later.
Establishing Career Goals
If you’re considering becoming a leader in the healthcare industry, it’s a good idea to plan out your specific goals long before completing your MPA or another advanced degree. Start by thinking about your specific field or area of interest and work with professors and others in the field to get ideas of the next steps forward. For example, if you’re hoping to run a non-profit agency for people with developmental disabilities, getting hands-on experience as a direct support provider now will add up to better results in your career future.
In the end, with clear goals, the right education, and some experience in healthcare, your career can add up to making a big difference for essential workers and patients alike. By focusing on a career in healthcare administration, your skills will not only help the communities and facilities you serve and work for but will add up to job satisfaction for you, too. Best of luck in your future career in healthcare administration, and thank you for considering this essential work.
