Are you wondering about the top reasons to study health care management? This prestigious leadership position helps health care facilities run effectively, which improves community health. With a job in health care management, you could help provide health services to those who need them most.
#1: Provide a Desperately Needed Service
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health care managers are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating health and medical services. This could include overseeing a specific department, such as patient services, a facility, such as a hospital, a private medical practice or community health network, or a group of physicians.
As the need for health care services increases, so does the need for someone who can keep those day-to-day services operating smoothly. This could mean making sure there’s enough staff, that doctors and nurses deal with patients effectively and that all federal and local laws are met.
#2: Great Salary and Benefits
One of the most appealing aspects of a job in health care is the salary. As of May 2015, health care managers earned a median annual salary of $94,500, according to the BLS.
In a health care setting, salary isn’t the only perk. Health, dental and eye insurance is among the best in the country. Retirement packages and stock options are also available, leading to additional sources of income, later. Most health care settings also offer excellent life insurance options. Don’t forget vacation time, on top of sick days and personal days. There’s also the possibility of a sign-on bonus.
#3: Growth and Opportunities
As the baby-boomers age and retire and more people remain active, but the high levels of obesity and other diseases increase, so does the need for health care professionals, including managers. According to the BLS, roughly 330,000 people were employed in health care management and that number is expected to increase by 17% between 2014 and 2024.
This could lead to working in nursing homes, hospitals, or doctor’s offices, but it could also mean working on a federal level, executing reform or changing health care laws, rules, and regulations. As technology advances, more reasons to study health care management will enfold, including being at the forefront for releasing and implementing new technology and services.
#4: The Educational Requirements
To begin working in the field of health care management, only a bachelor’s degree is required. Additionally, internships or experience working in a health care facility may be expected or necessary. Generally, bachelor’s degree classes could include marketing, nursing administration, patient services and human resources.
For some, a master’s degree in health care management may be the best option because of the additional opportunities that arise, including research positions and higher-level job options. A master’s degree also generally leads to a higher salary.
#5: The Work Environment
Most health care managers work in an office and keep regular hours. They get to interact with a wide variety of people and make decisions that keep health care facilities operating smoothly. They can even effect healthy changes in the community. For instance, a well-run hospital could lead to more health care facilities, including mental health facilities or small clinics, opening in the area. Job opportunities could include:
- Nursing homes
- Consulting firms
- Insurance companies
- Public health departments
Good leaders and managers will constantly be in demand and the health care industry isn’t going anywhere. These are only the top 5 reasons to study health care management: look around and you’ll find many more.
Related resource:
Top 20 Master’s Degree Programs at Smaller Colleges in the North