If you are already working in healthcare but are interested in the business side of things, then you may be fit for a career in business health administration. But what is business health administration, what kinds of jobs are out there, what do people in this field do on a daily basis, and is health administration a business degree?
Explore the essence of business health administration as a field to help determine whether this path may suit your interests and professional goals.
What Is Business Health Administration?
Business health administration (also commonly referred to as healthcare management or healthcare leadership) involves the planning and overseeing of healthcare service delivery within medical facilities. Business health administrators work in a variety of settings, ranging from hospitals and physicians’ offices to long-term care facilities and just about anywhere else medical care is provided.
The Role of Business Health Administrators
Business health administrators play a crucial role in keeping these facilities running smoothly by handling many of the administrative aspects of the operation. From optimizing resources to making sure facilities are operating within regulatory compliance standards, these professionals oversee nearly every piece of the business itself.
Key Responsibilities in Healthcare Settings
The specific responsibilities and job duties of a healthcare administrator may vary based on the exact job title and type of facility being overseen. However, some common responsibilities include:
- Training employees
- Handling billing and budgeting
- Scheduling employees
- Ensuring regulatory compliance
- Ordering supplies as needed
Exploring Business Management
In numerous senses, healthcare administrators take on a business manager role within a medical facility. With this in mind, it is essential to understand what a business manager does and what this role may look like across a variety of industries.
Core Functions of Business Managers
Business managers are professionals who oversee many core functions of a company. This includes general operations, marketing, human resources, finances, and the like. In larger businesses, it is not uncommon for there to be a business manager for each department—or separate managers for aspects like operations and finances.
In general, though, business managers take on responsibilities such as:
- Overseeing finances and budgets
- Creating marketing plans
- Setting goals and objectives
- Implementing business plans
Business Management Across Industries
Business managers are needed in every industry imaginable; businesses of all sizes rely on capable business managers to keep things running smoothly while pursuing their strategic vision. Thus, it is common to find business managers in sales, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, advertising, and beyond.
Educational Paths and Specialized Qualifications
While a general education in healthcare management or business administration provides a broad foundation, many healthcare administrators pursue additional specialized training to excel in their specific roles:
- Healthcare Management Programs: Typically include coursework in healthcare policy, finance, and management, but advanced roles may require additional certifications or licenses.
- Advanced Certifications: For roles such as nursing home administration, specific certifications and state licensure are required, emphasizing the need for specialized training.
Educational Paths for Both Fields
Although there are some notable similarities between business managers and healthcare administrators, the educational paths for each field may differ.
Degree Requirements for Business Health Administration
Typically, those working in healthcare management or healthcare administration pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, business administration with a concentration in healthcare, or a related field. While having a background in nursing can be beneficial, it is not a requirement for most healthcare administration degree programs. These programs are generally open to students from various educational backgrounds, including business, health sciences, and social sciences. Most programs do not require applicants to have an active registered nurse (RN) license.
Is health administration a business degree? This is a common question many students have. In most cases, yes, healthcare administration is part of a business administration degree program.
Business Management Degree Overview
Business managers, on the other hand, may instead pursue a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in business management, business administration, or a related field. These types of programs tend to be more general in nature, covering the basics of business management that can be applied across a wide range of industries.
Specialized Roles and Qualifications in Healthcare Administration
Healthcare administration encompasses a range of specialized roles, each with unique qualifications and requirements:
- Nursing Home Administrators: These professionals are responsible for managing long-term care facilities and must pass a certification exam in many states to obtain a license. This certification ensures they have the necessary knowledge to manage complex regulatory and operational aspects of nursing homes.
- Hospital Department Management: Certain departments within hospitals, such as those dealing with specialized medical procedures or intensive care, may be overseen by MDs or other highly qualified medical professionals. This ensures that specialized medical and administrative needs are effectively met.
- Public Health Administrators: Those working in public health may focus on community health initiatives, policy development, and program management, often requiring advanced degrees and specialized training in public health.
Skill Sets for Success in Each Field
Both healthcare administrators and business managers need to possess certain key skills to succeed (and help their businesses thrive).
Essential Skills for Healthcare Administrators
Healthcare administrators should have strong leadership skills as well as more specialized knowledge in nursing and patient care. Likewise, these professionals should possess solid analytical and decision-making skills, along with financial management and budgeting skills to keep facilities running smoothly.
Critical Business Management Skills
Business management skills tend to be more general because they must be applicable to any industry. As with healthcare administration, leadership and communication skills are a must. The same goes for problem-solving and analytic decision-making. However, business managers may also need to be more versatile and flexible, with the ability to apply different skills to new industries.
Impact on Healthcare and Business Sectors
Both healthcare administrators and business managers play critical roles in shaping their respective industries. But what is business health administration’s effect on the healthcare and business realms? Understanding the impact of business health administration helps illustrate how these professionals enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and drive business performance in healthcare settings.
How Business Health Administration Shapes Healthcare
The work of business health administrators can have a significant impact on the overall operations of a medical facility. In this sense, a business health administrator’s role may impact everything from the quality of patient care to the facility’s bottom line. In addition, health administrators may contribute to a positive work culture in their communications, training, scheduling, and beyond.
The Influence of Business Management on Market Dynamics
Meanwhile, business managers provide the strategic force and vision that businesses need to thrive in a dynamic market. They are not only responsible for making the most critical decisions that drive the future of the business but are also essential in improving customer engagement, optimizing business processes, and keeping employees motivated to do their jobs well.
Interested in a Healthcare Business Administration Degree?
Working in healthcare business administration may be rewarding for many professionals. By putting your management and leadership skills to use, you could play a central role in helping healthcare facilities better service their patients and operate more efficiently.
Ready to pursue your business administration degree in healthcare? Post University is proud to offer an MBA in healthcare in a 100% online format for your convenience. With courses covering key topics such as leadership, innovation, and healthcare regulations, this program may be completed in as few as 16 months with individualized practice experiences.
Reach out to request more information or start your online application today.
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