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An MBA with a Healthcare Administration Concentration is a Solid “Now” Decision

In Pennsylvania, we recently saw Alison Beam succeed Dr. Rachel Levine at the Pennsylvania Health Department. Beam holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration and is just one example of the pathways available to those exploring a healthcare administration career.

The truth is the need for healthcare administration professionals exists across the nation, making it one of the upward trending career decisions in the United States. 

Why all this growth and will it last? 

The complications in healthcare, data, and artificial intelligence to drive decisions and an aging yet long-living population have driven the demands. Add to that all that we have learned during COVID-19, the expectations for growth are expected to continue well past 2030. People with a passion for healthcare administration and the right education are sought out by hospital systems, physician networks, nursing homes, home health agencies, and governmental positions. Consider compliance alone. As national administration changes every 4-8 years, so does the regulatory environment. Healthcare systems rely on administrators to ensure that they remain compliant while driving up quality care. 

Advancements in technology and healthcare informatics are playing out in healthcare at a rapid pace. Physicians and surgeons can not handle both their workloads and staying current when it comes to technology. They also often rely on administrators to bring that first-hand knowledge to the table. COVID-19, for example, ushered in growth in e-consults across the United States. This sudden need to replace in-person visits created a burden in facilities that did not have the technology in place and created upward growth for companies developing the technology and process for e-visits. Healthcare Administrators found themselves part of creating e-consult workflows that function within their existing technologies (EHR) to increase access and creating implementation timelines. Projects like this require successful project management and implementation skills. In fact, these technology/implementation competencies are now cited as one of the five most essential skills health service administrators must have.

According to healthcarebusinesstech.com,

To begin a successful career in the healthcare industry, it is highly likely that a master’s degree will be required. A bachelor’s degree will help start professionals off in the industry, but very few will be able to work up to a top-level or a middle-management position at a larger facility without continuing their education past the bachelor’s degree level.”

Healthcare administrators can expect to get involved in finance, operations, and human resources as well, making this an exciting and never-dull career choice. Combining the education of a master’s in business administration with a healthcare administration concentration provides opportunities that push students to specialize and develop expertise in the areas they feel drawn to – clinical operations, health systems, nursing homes, etc. 

Let us not forget the opportunities at health-tech companies themselves. Recruiters are on the hunt for educated and experienced healthcare administrators. They realize that these professionals understand the workflows and internal processes that must be considered in the design and sales of these technologies. Combine that with being able to speak to the decision-makers appropriately, and it is a win-win for the company and the healthcare admin professional. Some professionals will seek out these opportunities after spending a few years in clinical administration. In fact, some studies show that the salary ranges at the health-tech companies can exceed those in the clinical setting. However, like within a clinical setting, the more educated and experienced job-seekers are, the better their chances at landing that highly sought out position. 

Bottom line, specializing can often be the difference in landing that dream career. 

Interested? Schedule your virtual counselor conversation regarding our MBA with a Healthcare Concentration.