lth administrators are known as “clinical managers.” Usually, they are professionals with background knowledge of a specific clinical area – for example, radiology or neonatal care. After completing a health administration leadership degree, former clinicians – like radiologists or nurses – may land roles as clinical leaders of such departments because they already understand much of the terrain and the daily objectives.
Other administrators concentrate their efforts as “health information managers.” These professionals maintain and secure patients’ electronic medical records. They may oversee a team of medical coding employees, or they may work with IT professionals to ensure that records are accurate, legally compliant, and appropriately accessible.
Clinical research is a fast-growing area of medicine, bolstered by scientific advancements and new technologies. But it’s also a complex undertaking that requires the coordination of numerous researchers, doctors, study participants, pharmaceutical executives and federal oversight measures. Students who pursue HA degrees with a focus on clinical research can become “clinical research managers,” representing the first generation of health administrators to tackle this dynamic field.
Finally, public relations and social media campaigns are often integral parts of the healthcare business. Students can study health communications or health marketing (as opposed to general marketing studies) to effectively land roles as social media directors, PR specialists, or health facility marketing managers.
What’s the difference between an Associate Degree in Health Administration and an Associate Degree in Medical Billing and Coding?
Many of the associate level degrees in health administration do include course work in medical billing and reimbursement. Usually however, A.A. and A.S. degrees in health administration are more comprehensive than billing and coding degrees. They often include course work in office administration, medical laws and compliance issues, plus a fair amount of general education course work – in subjects like psychology or college writing.
If you eventually plan to seek a bachelor’s degree, it may be easier to transfer credits from a health administration degree to a four-year program, simply because more of the courses are applicable to other fields of study. On the other hand, if you’re mainly interested in a billing and coding career, you may be frustrated by the kinds of readings and assignments that general education entails.
If you’re considering an associate degree in healthcare administration, your best bet is to contact admissions counselors from several different programs. Ask how the programs differ from one another, what kinds of jobs graduates have earned, and whether or not most alumni have been successful in completing additional studies. This information will help you determine which school matches your plans and goals.
How do Health Administration Degrees (bachelor’s and master’s) Differ from General Business Management Degrees?
Many health administration degrees are similar to business degrees in that both sets of students study subjects like management, finance, economics and accounting. But health admin degrees focus specifically on how these lessons impact healthcare organizations. Class projects, readings and discussions will likely zero in on current trends and concerns in health management.
For example, instead of a taking a standard ethics course, health admin students might take a course titled “Health Law and Ethics.” Instead of taking a general economics course, health admin students might study “U.S. Health Policy and Economics.” Health field instructors and internships will also provide much more relevant feedback than general business education experiences.
What can you do with a Masters in Healthcare Administration? What are some Masters in Healthcare Administration Jobs?
Further, many health admin degrees – especially at the master’s level – allow students to choose a healthcare specialty or focus area. Popular specialties include m