Kentucky Health Administration Degree Programs

With a complex set of needs, patients and professionals in Kentucky health care can benefit by an increase in well-educated healthcare managers and administrators. The mix of rural and urban communities means that medical needs in KY vary throughout the state. Some of the most prominent healthcare organizations in Kentucky include Baptist Health Lexington, St. Elizabeth Edgewood, and Norton Hospital.

If you would like to find out more about how to use your education to develop a career as one of the thousands of Kentucky in health administrator, request information from the schools below to learn about available healthcare administration programs.

Like many other states, Kentucky is experiencing great demand for qualified health care management professionals in the face of our current healthcare system. With more Americans gaining access to care, the call to manage the delivery of healthcare services is real. The May 2013 Bureau of Labor Statistics report reveals 4,300 medical and health services managers are employed in Kentucky. As the state works to meet the need for medical personnel, especially in its rural communities, this number is expected to increase. Earning your healthcare administration degree now can help position you for success in this field.

If you are looking to explore a healthcare career path that blends a deep knowledge of medical care with an understanding of high-level organizational management, you can get started with a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Health Administration. This degree can prepare you for the financial management, personnel management, and organizational oversight aspects of this career.

As you look through the list of Kentucky healthcare administration schools, look at each one carefully to find one that’s right for your needs. If you do not live close to any schools, look into schools that allow you to complete your degree online. Each school’s curriculum can also tell you a lot about what type of careers they prepare you for.

Healthcare Administration Education in Kentucky

In Kentucky, there are several schools with healthcare administration degree options. Many of these schools also offer you the means to earn your degree online. The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education reports that there is one CAHME-accredited school in Kentucky.

While it is important to excel in the classroom, it is also to take your education beyond the classroom and into the community. Many local healthcare associations accept student members. You can learn about different career opportunities, internship sites, and networking events when you join a professional organization. Kentucky-based organizations include:

• Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities
• Google+ page for the Kentucky Association of Health
• Kentucky Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association
• Kentucky Association for Healthcare Quality
• Kentucky Rural Health Association

The courses you take and skills you learn vary slightly between degree types. A bachelor’s degree is designed for students that do not have much prior experience in healthcare or management. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, Forbes notes that a master’s degree in healthcare administration is one of the best degrees you can earn in terms of job opportunities.

Whichever healthcare administration degree you decide to pursue, you can expect to learn about the following areas of healthcare administration:

• Staff management: Whether you eventually manage a department or an entire organization, you’ll need to be able to supervise and direct various types of medical personnel.
• Healthcare finances: Being able to budget, deal with financial crises, and oversee the spending of multiple departments are all important aspects of healthcare management.
• Health information technology: You may learn how patient information is collected, stored, and used.
• Healthcare marketing: Building your marketing skills helps you improve your organization’s reputation and bring new patients in.

If you’re looking for help paying for your health administration education, try the Kentucky College Access Program, Kentucky Tuition Grants, and Kentucky Education Excellence Scholarships.

Outlook for Healthcare Administration Careers in Kentucky

The experience you bring to the table as a nurse, doctor, medical lawyer, or other healthcare professional can be invaluable in the healthcare administration field of Kentucky. Strong leadership is the key to navigating recent changes in the industry and finding success within it. Studying healthcare administration may qualify you for competitive positions in settings like hospitals, private practices, and governmental agencies in Kentucky.

Due to the healthcare needs of Kentucky, demand for healthcare managers is extremely high in the state. Between 2018 and 2028, job openings are expected to grow 16% faster than the national average (O*Net, 2018). Currently, the average annual salary for a Kentucky medical manager is $81,660 (O*Net, 2018).

If it’s time to take your medical career to the next level, get started today and check out our list of healthcare administration programs in Kentucky.

Job prospects may be better outside of metropolitan areas, as Kentucky’s rural communities are among the most in-need areas of the state when it comes to health care workers.

Take some time to review the healthcare administration programs available in Kentucky today, and request information from the schools you are interested in to start making an impact on Kentucky health care.

2020 Medical and Health Services Manager Estimated Job Openings

Data Source