What is Healthcare Management?
California, the nation’s largest economy, is a major player on the global stage, surpassing many small countries in economic volume. Known for its sunny beaches, iconic cities like LA and San Francisco, and tech hub Silicon Valley, the state’s real estate sector generates a staggering $500 billion in revenue, leading the nation. However, California's economy is not just driven by real estate; its diverse industries also contribute to its impressive financial standing.
Professional and business services rank #2 in California's economy, generating nearly $400 billion, leading the nation—far surpassing New York's $250 billion. California also leads in other top sectors: manufacturing is #3, followed by information and social services, which include healthcare and education, at #5.
Healthcare management plays a key role in California's economy, with every clinic and healthcare system needing skilled managers to ensure efficient operations. To meet this demand, the state's colleges and universities focus on providing top-tier education, preparing professionals to lead in the industry.
A healthcare manager is trained to work within the healthcare industry, which has unique laws and financial structures. Healthcare systems are often non-profit, funded by insurers, and may bill government agencies for services.
Healthcare managers specialize in different areas, such as operations at clinics or overseeing hospital complexes. They may manage HR, IT, or marketing departments. Some enter administrative roles from clinical backgrounds, while others graduate from health services administration programs. Clinical professionals often remain in their field unless they pursue additional training for broader management roles.
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Online Healthcare Management Education in California
Healthcare programs in the UC and CSU systems are always seeking to strengthen their programs with the most knowledgeable faculty possible. They recruit academics whose doctoral dissertations have covered cutting edge topics in health management and health administration. These PhDs can enter as full-time and tenure-track professors. Healthcare management departments serving health systems also look for appropriately degreed healthcare administrators from their local area.
Since each state manages its healthcare differently, instructors with practical experience in the California economy can be a real boon to their undergraduate students. For example, an instructor with state-specific experience can relay anecdotes and personal insights into Cal Health, the state's healthcare initiative. They may also have the sort of hands-on knowledge and experience that can inspire students as they proceed towards their bachelor’s degrees.
Online Associates (AS)
California is well-known for its excellent and affordable higher educational systems, and its community colleges are no exception. Students who start their careers with an associate healthcare management degree can enter an entry-level position with a top healthcare system. The degree provides students with a fundamental understanding of the issues associated with healthcare administration so that they can hit the ground running on the first day.
An associate degree from a California community college requires that students also complete the core, general education college curriculum before they move on to their health management education, which helps them sharpen skills such as writing, mathematics, and science. Given that healthcare is based in science, it will be useful for students to learn as much about human biology as possible. It may be helpful to bolster their degrees with courses in allied health fields.
Associate healthcare administration degree programs are also helpful in that community college credits are far more affordable than those from any four-year institution. Thus, those who have the long-term goal of earning a bachelor’s degree and rising into upper management can do so with far less financial burden.
Online Bachelors (BS)
A four-year bachelor’s healthcare management degree from one of the excellent colleges or university programs in California is perhaps the best foundation for a brilliant career. Over the course of four years, students are able to dive deeper into the issues that face healthcare administrators on a daily basis. They can also branch out and enhance their degrees with minor concentrations in related fields such as mathematics, economics, marketing, or even sociology.
Bachelor’s healthcare administration degree programs also help students succeed by providing internship opportunities. Students are strongly advised to build on their classroom knowledge with real-world experience in the health administration of a clinic, private doctor's office, or major healthcare system. Since some of California's universities already have health systems associated with their campuses, students might be even more exposed. Some may even take part-time jobs in health administration at offices among these healthcare systems. Some top choices include UCLA Health, UCSF Health, UC San Diego Health, UC Davis Health, and UCI Health.
Online Masters (MS)
Students can boost their careers to the next level with a master’s healthcare management degree. A Master of Healthcare Administration degree is highly valued in the industry, so any student who is working on their bachelor’s degree should start looking into an MHA degree once they reach their third or fourth year of undergraduate studies. Another popular option is an MBA with a concentration in health care management, public health, health finance, etc. These university programs can provide students with a variety of options in business administration to work as health services managers, in medical group practice management, in human resources management in the health care industry and healthcare organizations, and other management positions such as financial management, strategic planning, etc.
The MBA route may result in well-rounded healthcare professionals who has been given a deep dive into the fundamentals of business alongside a full year that is focused on their industry. Others might choose a dual-MBA where they can complete an MS in healthcare administration along with an MBA. This way, students can use their MBA concentration to focus on a topic that will bring their career to a new level. Students might choose an MBA concentration such as leadership, information technology, or finance, which they can apply in their healthcare career. Some move into health care administration with a healthcare management education after completing a collegiate nursing education, and some start after working in the field for some time.
Online Doctorate (PhD)
Though most healthcare management hiring managers are unlikely to look for an PhD as part of their hiring rubric, this top-level degree may come in handy. This is because more and more students are earning an MBA or MHA, so a PhD may help the holder stand out from the pack. They might focus their dissertation research on a topic that has a direct impact on the healthcare industry as a whole, which those already in health administration may appreciate.
Those with a PhD in healthcare management might also consider a move into healthcare consulting once they graduate. Their research skills can be very valuable to healthcare systems who can hire them to analyze their organization or to produce a white paper on the healthcare industry as a whole. Lobbying groups or think-tanks may also want to hire a PhD in healthcare management who can help them broaden their view of that industry, and the economy in general.
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Become a Healthcare Manager in California
California students have a wide range of career options, as the state leads many industries worldwide. For those interested in healthcare management but feeling overwhelmed by choices, a focused track in this field can be ideal. High school students can prepare by attending a STEM school to deepen their math and possibly medical knowledge. Even if they don't pursue a clinical role, this background is valuable in management. Additionally, seeking summer jobs or volunteering in hospitals or healthcare settings can provide hands-on experience and insight into the industry.
When their third and fourth year of high school rolls around, students should start looking for the best California university degree program for them. The UC system in particular has many options that are affiliated with healthcare systems. Barring that, CSU's campuses offer not only top-notch, accredited instruction but are surely near to non-university healthcare systems. Students should also investigate all their choices for their course offerings, among other attributes.
A key factor in choosing a great healthcare administration program is accreditation. While all of California's public colleges and universities have regional accreditation, healthcare management programs with accreditation from AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE are highly valued. These accreditations focus on business-related programs and ensure national recognition for excellence. Graduating from a program with such credentials may also lead to better tuition reimbursement opportunities from employers. It's important to note that accreditation from these agencies can apply to all degree levels.
Potential Careers for Graduates
- Healthcare Consultant:
This career path often requires a master’s degree in healthcare administration, or an MBA with a healthcare focus. Healthcare consultants can focus their work on a number of specialized areas such as healthcare finance, healthcare informatics, marketing, management, or healthcare operations management. Many healthcare consultants transition into a full-time position with one of their clients. - Hospital Administrator:
Every hospital needs an administrator to guide the ship. Hospital administrators often hold a Master of Healthcare Administration degree, or some other related master’s healthcare management degree. Health administration professionals in hospital systems often rise to the top from a specialized department within the hospital but have the credentials, knowledge, and experience needed to oversee the whole healthcare system. - Administrative Support Specialist:
These professionals need strong organizational skills, as well as the ability to multi-task. Those who work in a healthcare setting might benefit from an associate healthcare administration degree or a two-year degree in accounting or general business. Often, workers who start in a health administration role can work their way up into management. It's not uncommon for a healthcare system to offer their support specialists tuition reimbursement, though this is not guaranteed. - Medical Secretary:
This is a health administration position that requires that workers know medical codes and terminology. Depending on their specific setting they may send invoices to insurers. Sometimes they even need to discuss cases with insurers and make sure their office or doctor is paid for the tests and procedures they provide. - Hospice Administrator:
These healthcare administrators oversee the doctors and nurses who work with terminally ill individuals. Though they may not work in the clinic, hospice professionals all need to have a good bedside manner for grieving families, not to mention to the hospice patients themselves. Hospice administrators often rise to their position from a nursing career or even a career as a medical doctor. - Assisted Living Administrator or Nursing Home Administrator:
While these facilities are often associated with one or more doctors who oversee the patients, there is a strong need for an administrator who can manage and lead the nursing and operations staff. Nursing home administrators often need to meet with potential residents or their families and provide them with a personal tour or at least an interview to help them make the best choice for their aged family member. - Physician Practice Manager:
These healthcare professionals are often nurses who migrate into the administrative side of a physician practice. Their hands-on experience in the clinic informs their ability to manage the nurses and operations in the practice. Most will eventually need to return to school for a Master of Healthcare Administration. - Chief Compliance Officer:
Compliance officers are a vital part of any healthcare team. They make sure that all parts of the clinical and other operations are compliant with the law. Since the medical field is fraught with regulations regarding healthcare delivery and privacy laws, compliance officers must constantly review new rules and regulations, while scrutinizing their hospital or healthcare system to ensure compliance.
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