Before entering a graduate program, you want to look at the typical occupational settings for a Master’s in Healthcare Administration graduate. Far too many students decide to apply for admission to a graduate program because of the undergraduate field of study they chose and because of their interests. They don’t think about how they’ll use their degrees later or what types of jobs they might work. It’s important that you think about where you might work after finishing your degree.
Hospitals
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, hospitals represent the most typical occupational settings for a Master’s in Healthcare Administration graduate. Nearly 40 percent of healthcare managers worked for hospitals in 2012. Administrators perform a number of tasks that relate to the daily operations of hospitals. They remain up to date on current laws and new changes to the legal and medical worlds, they schedule doctors, nurses and other workers, they coordinate with the doctors responsible for different departments and they attend board meetings. Some administrators are also responsible for ordering new supplies and working with the accounting department to keep the hospital operating within its budget.
Ambulatory Services
When a patient checks into a hospital, the patients might stay for several days or an extended period of time. Ambulatory facilities are similar to hospitals, but patients checking into those facilities check out at the end of the day. Patients might come in for a small procedure, or the facility might transfer the patient to a traditional hospital. Those with a Master’s in Healthcare Administration working for an ambulatory services facility often handle many of the same tasks as those working for a hospital do.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes and residential homes provide elderly patients and those with a serious medical condition get 24/7 support. They might need assistance after a fall or injury, cannot no longer live on their own or require some support for daily living. Nursing home administrators must have a Master’s degree and pass a licensing examination on their state. They keep track of employees, ensure that patients receive the level of care that they need and handle any problems relating to employees or patients. Nursing home administrators also hire new employees, ensure that the nursing home building itself is safe and secure and coordinate schedules.
Government Positions
Government is another of the typical occupational settings for a Master’s in Healthcare Administration graduate. Those working in this field typically focus on public healthcare, and they work at the local, state or federal level. Someone working at the local level might track an outbreak of a disease in a new community and help those living in the area avoid contracting that disease, while someone working at the state or federal level work with officials to promote the health and well-being of citizens all across the country.
When you finish your graduate degree, you have access to more jobs and opportunities than if you only had an undergraduate degree. Before enrolling in a graduate level program, look at the typical occupational settings for a Master’s in Healthcare Administration graduate and what those jobs entail to determine if those positions fit with your future career plans.
