The Healthcare Industry is growing in leaps and bounds every year. An aging population, expanded access to health care mandated by the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) and a renewed focus on preventative Healthcare Services make Healthcare one of the fastest growing industries and the largest provider of jobs in the United States. This growth includes an increasing need for those who work on the administrative side of the healthcare industry. Individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in this field may want to consider the Master’s in Health Service Administration (MSHA) Degree option. Curriculum for a MSHA usually includes courses in the following areas of study:
- Contemporary Healthcare systems
- Medical terminology
- Public health policy
- Health care business analysis
- Health care policies and economics
- Legal and ethical principles in health care
- Cost containment models
- Workforce management
- Marketing communication strategies
- Health care finance
Medical and Health Services Managers are responsible for improving efficiency, managing staff, reviewing finances, creating work schedules, and monitoring adherence to laws and regulations for health care facilities.
Who Would an MSHA Degree Appeal to Most?
An MSHA degree would be appropriately matched to those individuals already working in allied health care looking for career advancement as well as those looking for a change in their career path. With a growing number of openings at the management level and with excellent job stability, Health Service Administration is attractive to professionals from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds.
Areas for Potential Career Opportunities with an MSHA?
Graduates with a MSHA degree are armed with the industry knowledge and business administration skills required to pursue potential leadership positions as health service administrators or managers. The top employer for Healthcare Service managers is the following:
- Hospitals facilities, which employ nearly 30 percent of Healthcare administrators, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Group physician practices
- Clinics
- Nursing care and eldercare facilities
- Home healthcare organizations
- Outpatient care centers
- Mental health organizations
- Rehabilitation centers
- State and federal health agencies
- Military health services
- Public Health Departments
- What Can I Expect to Earn With an MSHA Degree?
The average salary in the US for a Medical and Health Services Manager is $96,030, with a 22% growth pattern from 2010 to 2020. One must always keep in mind that wages and employment opportunities vary greatly depending on a number of factors including industry, company size, educational degree, location, and years of experience.
Medical and health services managers are professionals who will improve efficiency, manage staff, review finances, create work schedules, and monitoring Healthcare facilities adherence to laws and regulations. These professionals in Healthcare will be highly valued possessing in depth knowledge of this evolving healthcare environment and the ability to apply this knowledge to solve complex problems, meet organizational goals, and improve the health status of their patients. By earning an MSHA degree, you could be on the road to a new and exciting career in the Healthcare Industry.