Possibly your career objective to lead a medical establishment such as a:
- hospital
- clinic
- private practice
If so, you may already be working toward an MBA in Healthcare Management. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is growing much faster than average. Positions for medical and health services managers are expected to increase by 17 percent by 2024.
Read on to find out what jobs are ideal for students who graduate with an MBA in Healthcare Management. (Be sure to also see 50 Most Affordable Healthcare MBA Degree Programs 2015)
Hospital Administrator
Hospital administrators oversee operations to make sure that medical facilities operate effectively. Hospital administrators must coordinate:
- staff
- policies
- patient care
This happens throughout the organization whether they work in traditional hospitals or other types of medical clinics. A hospital administrator also must remain aware of current laws and guidelines in the industry to ensure that the organization is compliant. This position also requires:
- developing policies
- creating budgets
- hiring physicians
- maintaining up-to-date medical technology
A master’s degree is often required to obtain a hospital administrator position at a large hospital or a high administrative level.
Practice Manager
If you don’t want to work for a large facility, you can look for a position as a practice manager in a smaller medical office. A practice manager oversees all of the administrative functions of the office, including:
- hiring
- budgeting
- compliance with laws and regulations
Practice managers must have the ability to collect and analyze data to measure and improve performance. They also need strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
Pharmaceuticals Project Manager
As medications and treatments are developed, a great deal of research and promotion goes into bringing them to market. A pharmaceutical project manager coordinates the administrative side of this process, from helping procure funding for research to creating marketing campaigns. If you have experience with management and consulting as well as biology or chemistry, you are an acceptable candidate for this position. In addition to planning and executing projects, a pharmaceutical project manager often supervises teams of employees and ensures that projects align with the goals of the company.
Healthcare Consultant
A healthcare consultant’s responsibilities are incredibly varied, although they involve providing direction and advice for healthcare organizations to operate more efficiently. General management consultants can assist practice managers and hospital administrators develop systems to increase productivity and cut costs. Some types of consultants specialize in helping facilities maintain compliance with healthcare regulations. Financial consultants work with organizations to fine tune their budgeting and financial resources.
Health Informatics Director
The primary responsibility of a health informatics director is to oversee the flow of data in the organization. A large part of this involves securing patient records as they are delivered to various departments in the facility. Health informatics directors ensure that all information is handled according to government regulations. They may also research, implement and troubleshoot software platforms to help medical establishments make the most out of the information they collect.
You don’t need a medical degree to get a job in the healthcare industry. Students need strong management and leadership skills. They also need a background in science or medicine. With these they can work behind the scenes to facilitate productivity in a healthcare environment. This career path offers a wide range of job options. Graduating with an MBA in Healthcare Management can help you earn a higher salary and obtain a more competitive position.