Between 2016 and 2026, the U.S. healthcare industry is expected to add 2.4 million jobs, more than any other occupational group.¹ These jobs will include everything from healthcare providers to insurance agents to hospital employees. And all of these new employees will need administrators and managers. That’s where you can come in.

Medical and health services manager jobs are projected to grow by 14% between 2018 and 2028, a rate that’s even faster than the industry as a whole, adding about 1.9 million new jobs.¹ Such a fast rate of growth makes healthcare management and healthcare administration a great career choice for anyone who wants plenty of employment opportunities in an industry designed to help people.

If healthcare management sounds like a great career to you, here’s what you can do to enter the field and succeed.

Earn a BS in Healthcare Administration

One of the best ways to gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in healthcare management and/or administration is to earn a BS in Healthcare Administration. This bachelor’s degree can help you learn how to:

The good news is, thanks to online learning, you can now complete a healthcare management program from home or from anywhere else you have internet access. Plus, when you earn your BS degree through an online university, you can take advantage of flexible scheduling that lets you choose when in the day you attend class. This level of convenience makes online education an excellent choice for anyone working full time or handling other important responsibilities.

Expand Your Experience

Employers want you to have the right education, but they also look for the right experience. Before you start your healthcare management or administration career, you should look into completing a field study or an internship. Both of these experiences can help you gain important skills and knowledge not available in a classroom. Many BS in Healthcare Administration programs will likely be able to help you find fieldwork and/or internship opportunities.

Consider All Employment Possibilities

General medical and surgical hospitals are the top employers of medical and health services managers.² But they aren’t the only employers. In addition to hospitals, you can choose to work for:

Participate in Professional Associations

Networking is a key to success in every industry, and healthcare is no different. In order to meet people who may one day be able to offer you a job or partner with you on a project, you should participate in professional associations and attend professional conferences. In addition to networking, these resources can help you keep up with industry trends and learn new ways to better manage healthcare. Three professional organizations related to the healthcare management and administration field are:

• American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
• Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)
• American Public Health Association (Health Administration section)

Use Industry-Specific Job-Search Assistance

Big jobs sites like Monster, CareerBuilder, and Glassdoor often list jobs in the healthcare management and administration field. However, to stay abreast of all available jobs, you should also use sites that specialize in your field. All of the above professional groups have job boards. Plus, you can use your university’s resources, along with the job listings at the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) website.

The booming field of healthcare management and administration offers a lot of opportunities. When you build your career the right way, you’ll be able to take advantage of the best of them.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a BS in Healthcare Administration degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.

¹Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm
²Source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119111.htm

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.