Health Care Manager

Health Care Manager

The health care management profession includes individuals with specialized training either at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels in the traditional management disciplines, but taught in a health care context, combined with coursework in policy and public health. Health care managers, also known as health services managers, health administrators, or health care executives, direct the operation of hospitals, health systems and other types of organizations. They are responsible for facilities, services, programs, staff, budgets, relations with other organizations, and other management aspects, depending on the type and size of the organization. public administration, or business administration is the standard credential for most generalist positions in this field. However, a bachelors degree is adequate for some entry-level positions in smaller facilities, at the departmental level within health care organizations, and in health information management. Length. Baccalaureate degree programs are four years; masters programs are generally two years. Prerequisites. Applicants for the four-year baccalaureate degree program should have a high school diploma or equivalent. A four-year baccalaureate degreeBS or BAwhich is the primary prerequisite for admission to a graduate program, can be earned in any field of study ranging from health care management and business to biology, sociology, policy, public health, government, social work, or allied health professions. Some coursework in economics and statistics is helpful, but not generally a requirement. In the past, most students chose the traditional route of a masters degree in health administration or public health. Today, however, students are investigating other options, including degrees in business with course concentration in health services management. Some schools offer a joint degreea masters degree in both business administration and public health, for example, or in both health care management and law. Sometimes physicians, nurses, or other practicing health professionals decide to earn this credential to become more involved in leadership roles. In certain cases, students will complete the masters degree prior to going to medical, nursing or other academic programs. Lists and descriptions of programs granting degrees in health care management/health administration are available at www.aupha.org/DirectoryOfPrograms/. Curriculum. The pre-professional curriculum should include appropriate general education credit predicated on the requirements of the academic institution. The professional curriculum can include coursework in health care policy and law, marketing, organizational behavior, health care financing, human resources, health information management, and other health care management topics. Academic programs may also include a supervised internship, residency, or fellowship. For specifics on curriculum, refer to www.aupha.org/DirectoryOfPrograms/.

Career Description
Health care managers work in a variety of settings, including hospital and health systems management, medical groups, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, care management organizations, health information technology firms, supply chain companies, government/policy organizations, investment banks, health insurers, and health care management consulting firms. Some graduates may also work with large corporations directing their health and other benefits programs.

Employment Characteristics
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment in the field of health care management is expected to grow 16 percent through 2018. The health care industry will continue to expand and diversify, requiring managers to help ensure smooth business operations.

Salary
Salaries vary depending on the employer and geographic location. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for May 2011 show that wages at the 10th percentile are $52,730, the 50th percentile (median) at $86,400, and the 90th percentile at $147,890 (www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119111.htm). According to the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), each management level in the acute care sector has its own responsibilities, qualifications, salary range, and typical work hours. Entry-level salaries may average between $40,000 and $60,000 but can be higher. With some experience, salaries typically are $65,000 to $110,000. Salaries for upper-level positions depend on the size of the organization. For smaller hospitals, this might be $130,000, although publications such as Modern Healthcare periodically list salaries for health care managers in larger organizations that can be substantially higher. For the largest organizations this may be a factor of three to ten (or more) times higher than this level. To find out what to expect as an entry-level manager, mid-level manager, and senior-level executive, visit ACHEs website at www.ache.org/CARSVCS/ CareerFAQ/intro.cfm.

Inquiries
Careers For information about career opportunities in health care management and professional credentialing,

Educational Programs
Medical and health services managers must be familiar with management principles and practices. A masters degree in health services administration, long-term care administration, health sciences, public health,

For information about career opportunities in medical group practices and ambulatory care management, contact: Medical Group Management Association 104 Inverness Terrace East Englewood, CO 80112 (301) 799-1111 www.mgma.org

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HEALTH INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

contact: American College of Healthcare Executives One N. Franklin St., Suite 1700 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 424-2800 www.ache.org

Health Care Careers Directory 2012-2013

Education For information about undergraduate and graduate academic programs in this field, and a list of certified undergraduate programs, contact: Association of University Programs in Health Administration 2000 North 14th St., Suite 780 Arlington, VA 22201 (703) 894-0940 www.aupha.org

Program Accreditation For a list of accredited graduate programs in medical and health services administration, contact: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 700 Arlington, VA 22201 (703) 351-5010 www.cahme.org Note: Adapted in part from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Health Services Managers, at www.bls.gov/oco/ocos014.htm.

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