When choosing a degree, it is important to consider one’s career path and to understand the industry—this is a good way for prospective students to gauge their interest in a program and the possibility of a career in the future. Students who are considering entering the Health Services Administration field should inquire about the field and the jobs that go along with it. Here are Florida National University’s (FNU) top choices for careers after graduating with a Health Services Administration degree:
Health Services Career Options
The aging Baby Boomer generation and the recent healthcare reforms have led to a higher need for health services professionals in the United States. When determining a career path, students hoping to enter this line of work might want to consider becoming one of the following:
- Health Services Manager
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Medical and health services managers, also called healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health service” (BLS). The health services manager is tasked with managing health information and patient records as they relate to patient care. They manage a patient database at a school or secure and maintain patient records at a care facility. It is the health services manager’s duty to create policies to determine who can access patient records, and how frequently—this includes insurance companies. This task is to help ensure patient privacy requirements are met.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers receive a median pay of $88,580 per year, and the position is expected to experience 23% growth from 2012-2022. Fortunately for these professionals, this projected job outlook is growing much faster than average.
- Nursing Home Coordinator
Nursing home coordinators hold similar jobs to the health services manager. However, they must also manage the budget, staff, and more to benefit the residents of the nursing home. Nursing home coordinators must acquire a license to practice, and this licensing varies by state, but earning a degree is a great step toward obtaining the foundation knowledge necessary to succeed in this field.
- United States Government
Whether through U.S. Healthcare of the Department of Health and Human Services, there are always opportunities for health services administrators within branches of the U.S. Government.
In fact, Fox News reports that, as of January 2015, there are a number of jobs in the healthcare field. That is great news for students in FNU’s various programs!
FNU: Offering Possibilities
FNU offers three different degree programs from which students can choose when considering entering this field:
- Health Services Administration Associate of the Arts: This program is designed for students planning to pursue a higher-level degree in health services administration as well as to equip students with skills needed in entry- level supervisory positions in the health services field.
- Health Services Administration Bachelor of Science: This program provides the professional skills needed for administrative positions throughout the Health Care Industry. In addition, the program prepares its graduates for admissions into graduate level studies in the Health Care system.
- Health Services Administration Master: The Master of Health Services Administration program is designed to provide high-quality professional education in order to assist executives and prepare the new generation of healthcare professionals to be part of leading positions in the administration, management, and planning of the healthcare industry in either the public or private sector.
- All three degrees can be earned 100% online: Learning online at FNU is a wonderful experience for students. FNU walks new online learning students through the first steps to set up for success.
FNU: Setting Students Up for Success
Students must be proactive when considering degrees. They must be aware of the field and the career possibilities related to a degree.
How many times have students complained that they picked a major and completed their degree, but found that they could not find a job, years down the road? These students often claim they were “promised” by their university that they would get a well-paying job in their field directly after school. That may be the case—schools can make the mistake of guaranteeing results they have no control over—but that does not mean that the student should not take any blame for their circumstances.
FNU never wants to see this happen to students. That is why the University is careful to inform students about the job market, define potential career paths, and to offer hands-on training and education from active professors in the field. Best of all, FNU offers the Job Placement Center for students: a service in which we are dedicated to helping students find job leads in their industry!
Academic Advisors can only do so Much
However, students still have the responsibility to learn about a program and their potential career path before, during, and after gaining their degree! While schools can offer their services and efforts to help students find a job, the truth of the matter is that students and alumni are responsible for their efforts, their job applications, their interviews, and their actions, overall! Schools cannot guarantee the success of graduates, but we do everything in our nature to push graduates toward the goal of a professional career in their field of study!
FNU: The School for You
Ready to get started towards earning a degree in health services administration? Students who are considering this line of work or those who are interested in another degree should review our program offerings and apply to FNU today!
