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What is a Health Services Administrator?

A Health Services Administrator will oversee an entire health-care facility like a hospital, nursing home or assisted living facility. A group of physicians or other type of medical practice would also need a Health Services Administrator to manage the group or to manage departments within a larger health-care facility.

Duties might include:

  • Being in charge of the work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel
  • Planning and putting on programs and services in a health-care facility, and coordinating and training the medical, nursing and other facility staff
  • Monitoring the use of resources, equipment and staff to make the most effective use of all the facility
  • Monitoring patient care

62% of people holding these jobs today have a Bachelor’s degree and 31% have a Master’s Degree. Students may major in Public Health or Health Policy Analysis among other majors.

Undergraduate degrees in health administration often include classes in:

  • hospital organization and management
  • accounting and budgeting
  • human resources administration
  • strategic planning
  • law and ethics
  • economics
  • and health information systems

Master’s degrees may be more specialized in health services, long-term care administration, public health, public administration, or business administration.

The US Department of Labor predicts 140,000 job openings in the next ten years (a growth rate of 16.9% compared to an overall growth in all jobs of 7.9%). Starting salaries in 2013-2014 were $56,000.

If you want a healthcare, business-related career where you can help people and be supportive while you do something practical, you may want to consider a career as a Health Services Administrator.

Maite HalleyWhat is a Health Services Administrator?