Careers in Healthcare Management

This is an exciting time for healthcare management. Healthcare is changing more rapidly than almost any other field. The field is changing in terms of how and where care is delivered, who is providing those services, and how that care is financed. Healthcare management requires talented people to manage the changes taking place. In their roles, healthcare executives have an opportunity to make a significant contribution to improving the health of the communities their organizations serve.

With growing diversity in the healthcare system, executives are needed in many settings, including:

• Clinics
• Consulting firms
• Health insurance organizations
• Healthcare associations
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Physician practices
• Mental health organizations
• Public health departments
• Rehabilitation centers
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Universities and research institutions

Today, an estimated 100,000 people occupy health management positions at numerous organizational levels, from department head to chief executive officer. Requirements for senior-level positions in healthcare organizations are demanding, but these jobs also offer opportunities to improve the system of care giving.

If you choose a career in healthcare management, your first job might be an entry- to mid-level management position in a specialized area, such as:

• Finance
• Government relations
• Human resources
• Information systems
• Marketing and public affairs
• Material management (purchasing of equipment and supplies)
• Medical staff relations
• Nursing administration
• Patient care services
• Planning and development
  
  Source:  Careers in Healthcare Management: Types of Careers