Healthcare management jobs are constantly in demand in the modern healthcare system. Healthcare management careers are a great way for a business minded person to experience the the rewards of working in the health care profession without pursuing a career as a doctor or a nurse. There are many different avenues to pursue in healthcare management ranging from entry level all the way to top level management. Here are just a few of the best careers for students who want to join the rapidly growing and exciting field of healthcare management.

Healthcare Administrator

One of the largest and most demanding healthcare management careers is that of the healthcare administrator. Healthcare administrators are usually in charge of some sort of large healthcare facility such as a hospital or clinic. Some administrators are in charge of an entire hospital, while others may just be in charge of a certain department or smaller clinic. While they may not be seen by visitors to the hospital, the healthcare administrator’s job is crucial to the smooth operation of the facility they are managing.

The job of a healthcare administrator is to plan, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of healthcare. This includes the hiring and firing of the staff under their supervision, along with ensuring that all staff has the proper training and equipment to quickly and accurately service patients. Depending on the place of business, the healthcare administrator may also be in charge of scheduling. Administrators are also in charge of directing the use of funding in their healthcare organization. Most approvals for spending must go past the administrator’s desk before being approved. On top of spending the funds, administrators may be required to spearhead fundraising efforts for their department.

Administrators work long and hard to keep their businesses running smoothly and effectively. This can sometimes mean working longer hours, attending conferences on the behalf of their organization, and coordinating with other heads of the organization.

Though it is a tough job, healthcare administration is rewarding both mentally and financially. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, the average annual salary of a healthcare administrator is about $73,000. The Bureau of Labor goes on to say that job opportunities are expected to increase by more than 16 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Medical Office Manager

The medical office manager, sometimes known as the medical practice administrator, or medical practice manager, is another of the many in-demand healthcare management jobs. The medical office manager is usually in charge of a medical practice such as a family doctor’s office.

The medical office manager is not in charge of the clinical staff or the actual medical procedures of the practice, however, they are in charge of just about everything else. Medical office managers are in charge of the administrative side of the business. They are responsible for the office staff and the supervision of the office staff’s duties, along with coordinating the schedules of everyone in the office, including the medical staff.

Office managers are also in charge of the financial side of the business. Some common responsibilities include filing insurance claims, billing of clients, making deposits, and paying bills. They are also responsible for the purchasing and inventory tracking of medical supplies. Overall a medical office manager is in charge of making sure the office runs smoothly so the doctors can do their work.

Generally the salary of a medical office manager depends on how large the practice of the employer is, though the average salary is about $57,000. Educational requirements also vary by employer, though most employers will require an undergraduate degree in a related field. If the job is managing multiple offices in a practice, then it is not uncommon for employers to require a Masters degree in healthcare administration.

Health Services Manager

Similar to the medical services manager, the health services manager is responsible for the financial and administrative sides of a health organization. The difference is that health service managers work for larger organizations such as a network of hospitals. The health services manager is in charge of staffing for the facilities under their supervision. They are required to do hiring and firing, though they may not have as direct of a hand in scheduling as a medical office manager might. The health services manager often has many people working directly under him or her to help take some of the workload, however, in the end, all decisions are approved through the health services manager.

Since they do tend to have much more responsibility, the health services manager does pay more than the medical office manager. The average salary for the health services manager is about $80,000 per year. Being a health services manager almost always requires a Masters degree in Health Administration or a related field, as it is a very important job to a large corporation.