Individuals who study health policy often end up working with government entities as advisers and analysts. Many are employed by hospitals or academic institutions due to their training. Often, successful applicants in this career field receive a master’s degree in public health or similar degrees to get started. They may learn about:
- managing infections diseases
- studying the health of specific population groups
- running clinical trials
1. Health Services Manager
A health services manager generally works in the public sector. They will be expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Individuals in this field typically:
- perform administrative tasks
- create new programs
- supervise a team of employees
The average health services manager makes $98,460 per year or $47.34 per hour.
2. Public Health Researcher
For a behind-the-scenes approach to public policy, start working as a public health researcher. These individuals help health professionals design outreach programs. They are in charge of:
- conducting research
- analyzing data
- creating reports
Often, a public health researcher will spend their career looking at population statistics to help improve the health care system. To conduct the research, they may work with:
- public health organizations
- universities
- private entities
3. Hospital Administrator
A hospital administrator is in charge of planning and directing medical services. They may be in charge of an entire hospital or just a specific department. It is the hospital administrator’s job to make sure that the hospital or clinic complies with all health care laws. This field boasts about 333,000 jobs in 2014. Hospital administrator positions are expected to increase by 17 percent through 2024. The average individual in this field earns $44.62 per hour or $92,810 per year.
4. Health Care Policy Analyst
Healthy care policy analysts work to support researchers and analyze data. These individuals rarely work with patients because their focus is on spreading information about public health issues. A bachelor’s degree is expected of someone in this field. A master’s degree will increase your appeal to potential employers. Once hired, you will work with stakeholder groups to provide information and explore current issues in public health.
5. Professor
A professor works in academic institutions to teach about the field of health policy making. This individual will spend most of their time teaching students about the latest developments in the field. Depending on the job title, a professor may also:
- conduct their own research
- analyze data
- host conferences
To get this job, you will have to have at least a master’s degree. Many professors have doctoral degrees as well, so additional degrees can help you get the ideal position. Once hired, the average professor earns an annual salary of $70,790 per year.
For a rewarding career field, health policy jobs seldom disappoint. As a worker in this industry, you will be able to:
- conduct research
- make policy recommendations
- help patients across the country
To get started, you should begin by getting your bachelor’s degree and work experience in the field. Depending on the job position you want, you may be expected to attain a higher level of education.
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