Health Administration Career Paths

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the healthcare industry overall will generate more new jobs through 2020 than any other industry. Not to mention that 10 of 20 of the fastest growing jobs are in health care according to the BLS.

While the biggest jump is expected in gerontology and home health care, health care administration job seekers will have plenty of options across a variety of fields and work environments. Health care administration degrees and career paths tend to fall into a few general categories: health care administration and management, public health, and informatics.

Below, Rachel George, Chief Operating Officer for Cogent Hospital Management Group, shares her tips for recognizing and avoiding burnout as a healthcare administrator.

Health Administration/Management

Health care administrators and managers can work anywhere from hospitals to clinics, private practices, and nursing homes, among other environments. Administrators and managers are tasked with improving health care services and efficiency within their facilities. Responsibilities can range depending on the position but involve elements of budgeting, planning, overseeing systems, maintaining community outreach and recruiting and managing personnel. Mid to top-level administrators and managers in health care earn an estimated $88,580, based on facility size according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Public Health

Graduates in public health focus on community issues in health including improving access to health care, controlling infectious disease, and reducing environmental hazards. Career opportunities are available in many different arenas from local, state, and federal health departments to universities, non-profits and even insurance companies. Those with a degree in public health administration can pursue positions as public health management analysts, health communications specialists, health outreach coordinators, researchers and educators. Depending on the particular position and organization, salaries can vary considerably. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those working in public health make an average salary of $41,830.

Health Informatics

The health care informatics industry is also expected to grow at an above average rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Health care informatics is concerned with the organization, storage and maintenance associated with medical data and knowledge, such as patient records. Jobs can be quite technical, like health care information security manager, responsible for implementing and maintaining the technical mechanisms needed to ensure data confidentiality, or more people-oriented, like clinical information manager, responsible for project management and communication with everyone from clinicians to information specialists. Similar to careers in administration and public health, health informatics salaries fall into a wide range, but average salary is $34,160 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Featured Online Programs:

Online programs may not be available in all states

Abilene Christian University - Online Programs Offered: Master of Business Administration - Healthcare Administration Master of Science in Management - Healthcare Administration

Baker College Online Programs Offered: Healthcare Management - Masters

Benedictine University Online Programs Offered: DUAL MBA/MSMOB DUAL MPH/MSMOB M.P.H. - Health Management & Policy MPH - Health Management and Policy Focus MPH Certificate in Epidemiology Master of Public Health (MPH)

Capella University - Online Programs Offered: BS - HIM: Accelerated Master Pathway BS - Health Care Administration Leadership BS - Health Care Management BS - Health Information Technology: IT BS - Leadership: Accelerated Master Pathway BS - Public Health BS - Public Health, Accelerated Master DHA - Health Administration DHA - Health Care Leadership DHA - Health Policy and Advocacy DrPH - Public Health MBA - Health Care Management MHA - Health Administration MHA - Health Care Informatics MHA - Health Care Leadership MHA - Health Care Operations MPH - Public Health MS - Health Care Security

Colorado State University-Global Campus (Online) Programs Offered: BS - Healthcare Administration and Management Master - Healthcare Administration and Management

George Mason University - Online Programs Offered: Master of Health Administration in Health Systems Management Master of Science in Health Informatics

Grand Canyon University - Online Programs Offered: B.S. in Health Care Administration B.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management Graduate Certificate of Completion in GeroPsychology M.P.A: Health Care Management M.S. in Health Care Administration M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with Emphasis in Grief and Bereavement M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with Emphasis in Prevention M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Christian Ministry M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Community Mental Health Administration M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Family Dynamics M.S. in Nursing with an Emphasis in Health Care Informatics M.S. in Nursing with an Emphasis in Public Health M.S. in Nursing: Leadership in Health Care Systems (Bridge) Master of Public Health

Indiana Wesleyan University - Online Programs Offered: B.S. Healthcare Administration

Keiser University eCampus Programs Offered: Associate of Science in Medical Administrative Billing and Coding Associate of Science in Medical Assisting

Liberty University - Online Programs Offered: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Healthcare Management Bachelor of Science in Informatics - Healthcare Informatics

Liberty University Online Programs Offered: MPA: Healthcare MS: Health Informatics MS: Healthcare Administration MS: Healthcare Administration: Accounting MS: Healthcare Administration: Finance MS: Healthcare Administration: Human Resources MS: Healthcare Administration: Leadership MS: Healthcare Administration: Marketing MS: Healthcare Administration: Non-Profit Management MS: Healthcare Administration: Project Management MS: Healthcare Administration: Public Administration MS: Healthcare Administration: Public Relations MS: Healthcare Administration: Strategic Management MS: Healthcare Administration: Supply Chain Management & Logistics

Northcentral University - Online Programs Offered: DBA - Health Care Administration PhD - Health Care Administration

Our Lady of the Lake University Online Programs Offered: Master of Business Administration: Healthcare Management

Purdue University Global Programs Offered: BS in Health Care Administration Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science

Purdue University Online Programs Offered: Master of Public Health

Saint Joseph's University - Online Programs Offered: MS Health Administration MS Health Administration Informatics MS in Health Administration - Organizational Development and Leadership

Saint Leo University - Online Undergrad Programs Offered: BS: Healthcare Administration

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (Online) Programs Offered: Master of Arts in Health and Human Services Administration

Seton Hall University - Online Programs Offered: Master of Science in Nursing - Health Systems Administration with Case Management

South College Programs Offered: Bachelor of Business Administration w/Concentration in Health Care Administration

Southern New Hampshire University - Online Programs Offered: BS Business Administration with concentration in Health BS Healthcare Administration BS Healthcare Administration: Healthcare Information Management BS Healthcare Administration: Patient Safety and Quality BS Public Health MBA: Healthcare Informatics MBA: Healthcare Management MS Healthcare Administration MS Information Technology: Healthcare Informatics MS Management: Healthcare

Southern New Hampshire University Online Programs Offered: BS in Business Administration in Healthcare Administration

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Online Programs Offered: Dual Enrollment: Master of Health Service Administration and Master of Public Health Master of Health Services Administration Master of Public Health

Utica College Online Programs Offered: MBA - Health Care Management MS in Healthcare Administration Online Master of Science in Health Care Administration - Acute Care Online Master of Science in Health Care Administration - Long Term Care Online Master of Science in Health Care Administration - Service Organization

Walden University - Online Programs Offered: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration - Healthcare Management Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) - General Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) - Leadership & Organizational Development Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) - Population Health Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) - Systems & Policy Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Military Families & Culture Master of Science (M.S.) in Human and Social Services - Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention Master of Science (M.S.) in Human and Social Services - Human Services Nonprofit Administration

Walden University - Online Programs Offered: Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) - Healthcare Management Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Health Policy Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - International NonGovernmental Organizations Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Policy Analysis Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Public Management and Leadership PhD in Public Policy and Administration - Geographic Information Systems PhD in Public Policy and Administration - Global Leadership Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) - General Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) - Leadership & Organizational Development Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) - Population Health Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) - Systems & Policy Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Military Families & Culture Master of Science (M.S.) in Human and Social Services - Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention Master of Science (M.S.) in Human and Social Services - Human Services Nonprofit Administration

Walden University - Online Programs Offered: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration - Healthcare Management

Western Governors University Online Programs Offered: B.S. Health Information Management

Widener University - Online Programs Offered: Master of Business Administration - Healthcare Management