Health Service Administration professionals work around the clock to provide great healthcare while ensuring patients receive the insurance coverage that they need. Students who are considering a degree in Health Service Administration have likely given some thought to why communities need these professionals. Due to recent growth in the world’s population and the increase of hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, Health Service Administrators are in high demand.
What Do Health Service Administrators Do?
A Health Service Administrator works to improve the efficiency and quality of service delivered by healthcare facilities. At times, they must represent the facility they are employed by in meetings or on governing boards. Keeping records of finances and managing billing and patient fees are also requirements of this job. Healthcare laws, regulations, and technology are constantly changing. This has led to an increased need for new healthcare professionals.
A Health Service Administrator is also known as a Health Service Manager, depending on the facility they work in or their area of expertise. With a degree in Health Service Administration, there are many possibilities and a wide variety of work environments to choose from.
Some of the most common positions are:
Nursing Home Administrator
A Nursing Home Administrator is responsible for the upkeep of a long-term care facility for the elderly. This includes admitting patients, managing the building and directing staff, as well as managing the financial aspects of the facility. Prospective professionals must complete a state-approved training program and an internship as well as pass a licensing exam to become a Nursing Home Administrator. Studying Health Services Administration is a great way to get started and this program will lay the foundation to understand health service needs within a nursing home at a greater level.
Clinical Manager
A clinical manager oversees a specific department, such as nursing, surgery, or physical therapy. These managers are responsible for setting policies, goals, and procedures along with evaluating staff and budgets.
Health Information Manager
As the title implies, a Health Information Manager is responsible for managing and maintaining patient records. These professionals spend much of their time working on computer software programs, typically inputting information to comply with federal mandates for the electronic storage of patient information. A Health Information Manager is responsible for making sure that all the information being input is accurate and complete. They must also ensure that only authorized personnel can access these databases.
Assistant Administrator
A Healthcare Assistant Administrator is responsible for providing clerical support to physicians and executives in healthcare facilities. In certain facilities, Assistant Administrators are required to process payments, make appointments, and greet patients. They also conduct front desk work, such as collecting insurance information, issue billing, and maintenance of patient records.
Home Health Administrator
Home Health Administrators supervise clinical and clerical staff members who provide medical treatment to in-home patients. They work on expanding clientele base, negotiate with insurance companies, and evaluate staff members to provide patient care that meets state and federal standards.
To become a Health Service Administrator, certain skills are required, including critical thinking, decision-making, writing and communication skills, personnel management, and time management skills.
Job Outlook
As a new technology for healthcare services is being developed daily and new regulations are implemented, the need for professionals who are trained to handle these changes is growing.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment and need for these professionals are projected to grow 18% from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average for occupations, overall. Many of these jobs will take place in the offices of private healthcare practitioners in the next few years, due to these technological advancements.
With an influx of baby boomers aging and growing popularity, it is clear why these particular careers are on the rise. Best of all, this means that now is a better time than ever to pursue a career in this field.
How to Prepare
Individuals interested in pursuing a career in Health Services Administration should consider attending Florida National University (FNU). Our Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration program offers courses including:
- Introduction to Health Care
- Medical Office Management
- Medical Insurance Coding & Billing
- Managerial Accounting
- Ethics in Health Care
- Health Care Marketing
- Business Communication
- Risk Management
- Organizational Behavior
FNU: Helping You Prepare for Your Future
If you are interested in pursuing any of these careers contact FNU at 305-821-3333 for more information on our Health Services Administration program! You will be equipped to enter the field with the solid foundation of academic education, opening the doors of your future career of choice. FNU’s program provides courses crafted to enhance a student’s knowledge of their future work environment. Have more questions? Contact one of our academic advisors for answers!
