Professionals working in healthcare executive jobs are every bit as important as the doctors, nurses, and specialists they support. They are the people who make sure everything in a large community medical operation runs smoothly. If a hospital needs an ambulance, chances are a healthcare executive did the research, allocated the funds, and handled the purchase. When meals need planning or the medical center records need managing, it is the healthcare executive’s job to make sure all these aspects are dealt with.
What Do You Do in a Healthcare Executive Job?
Healthcare executive jobs cover a wide variety of areas. Some of the typical healthcare executive’s tasks may include:
- Finance: managing bill systems, budgeting, grants.
- Human resources: staff relations, mediation, training.
- Government relations: making sure that all city, state, and federal laws are adhered to, as well as dealing with government in times of crisis or medical emergency.
- Information systems: handling maintenance of billing, records, and other types of computer systems.
- Marketing and public affairs: promotion of a medical group or hospital services, as well as presenting health information and community outreach.
- Material management: purchasing equipment, supplies, and the tools to maintain those supplies.
- Medical staff relations: working with doctors and nurses to provide the best care to the community.
- Nursing administration: working with nurses for training, support, supervising.
- Patient care services: providing in and outpatient services to the community.
- Planning and development: planning for future health initiatives in the community, as well as new facilities and the upgrade of older ones.
Healthcare executives usually work in hospitals, medical centers, and private medical group practices, although positions can also be found in consulting firms, healthcare associations, hospices, long term care facilities, and public health departments. All of these positions take place in a medical office setting, using computers and other office equipment. Hours are typically 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, although there are occasional times when longer hours may be required.
Qualifications
Starting executive jobs in the area of healthcare administration typically require a bachelor’s degree. Although this is sufficient for entry level or middle management positions or a more senior position if the health facility is relatively small, a master’s degree is required for almost any career track position in health care management. For those interested in pursuing this work as a career, a bachelor’s degree is just the first step. This degree can be in health services management, business, nursing, liberal arts, or other generally applicable fields. A list of available undergraduate programs in health administration education is available from The Association of University Programs in Health Administration.
While students used to opt for a traditional two-year long masters’ degree program in Health Administration or Public Health, today’s students often elect instead to pursue graduate degrees in business, public administration, healthcare management, and healthcare law. Programs accredited by the Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services Education include courses in healthcare law, healthcare policy, human resources and organizational behavior, marketing and healthcare financing. A supervised residency or other internship may also be part of the course program.
Students interested in pursuing a healthcare executive job are advised to join one of the many professional associations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives. As an ACHE Student Associate, you have access to job banks, resume services, continuing education programs, and subscriptions to Healthcare Executive and the Journal of Healthcare Management.
Salary Information
According to the 2007 AMGA Medical Group Compensation and Financial Survey, salaries for healthcare executive positions vary widely, with an average of $52,573 yearly for an entry level records clerk, to $231,000 for a top chief executive officer position. The average is around $80,000 yearly for most midrange positions.
Employment Outlook
Healthcare executive jobs are expanding at a rate somewhat faster than the national average, with over 14 million jobs in the healthcare industry in 2006. Positions can be found nationwide, with the largest concentrations in the states of California, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a great job in the healthcare profession, but don’t feel being a doctor or nurse fits your talents, a healthcare executive job may be the answer to your search. With skills that cover a wide variety of administrative duties, this position offers flexibility and the chance to help in your community, too.
