Professional Associations for Healthcare Administrators

When you graduate from college or a more advanced healthcare program, you should look into the top professional associations for healthcare administrators. These programs provide professionals with a number of resources and opportunities, including:

  • conferences on current trends in the healthcare industry
  • classes you can take to further your education

Even if you’re currently enrolled in an undergrad health program, you might have access to the resources that these healthcare administrators organizations offer.

Healthcare Financial Management Association

The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) is just one of the organizations that healthcare administrators join every year. HFMA operates two blogs that help you learn more about trends in healthcare and leadership in healthcare as well as several scholarly publications. More than 40,000 administrators are members of this healthcare management organization. Members receive benefits in the form of:

  • virtual conferences that take place online
  • a forum that lets them discuss topics with other professionals
  • a list of peer reviewed products that administrative professionals can use on the job

Health Care Administrators Association

The founders of the Health Care Administrators Association (HCAA) wanted to create a healthcare administration organization that would help professionals come together. It hosts an annual summit that brings together some of the brightest minds in the industry. They discuss healthcare trends and talk about how administrators can help hospitals and other facilities run more effectively. HCAA also offers a Certified Self Funding Specialist that lets you get certified in self funding online. It also maintains a job posting board for those looking for work and offers scholarships for college and high school students.

American Health Information Management Association

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) provides HIPPA training for those interested in working in the healthcare industry. HIPPA laws dictate ways in which medical professionals act and the information they can share with others. You can complete your training online via the official website. Other online programs cover topics like :

  • cancer patient management
  • coding basics
  • healthcare leadership

AHIMA also puts on multiple conferences every year in cities like:

  • Cleveland
  • Phoenix
  • Denver
  • Orlando

You can register for those conferences online and even get help making travel arrangements to those events.

American College of Health Care Administrators

Another healthcare management organization that might interest you is the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA). Members of this organization include:

  • doctors
  • nurses
  • patient advocates
  • administrators
  • support staff

All members have access to an active online community that features:

  • dozens of message boards
  • two newsletters published several times a year
  • discounts to two of its annual conferences

You can also sign up for online programs that help you become a certified assisted living administrator or a certified nursing home administrator.

American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management

Before working as a healthcare administrator, consider joining the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM). Members can sign up for certification programs that certify them to:

  • work in healthcare administrative positions
  • network with other professionals both online and through local chapter events
  • take advantage of a free subscription to The Journal of Healthcare Administrative Management.

Membership rates to join AAHAM start at just a few hundred dollars a year. Students receive a discounted membership rate.

Joining professional organizations is a great way to:

  • further your studies
  • get certified to work in specific fields like nursing homes and assisted living facilities
  • network with other professionals in your own area

Many of the top professional associations for healthcare administrators have local chapters. They offer networking opportunities and national conferences that bring in guests from around the world.

Related resource: 50 Most Affordable Healthcare MBA Degree Programs