Healthcare management is a field that involves the leadership of hospital networks, public health systems, and the individual hospitals themselves. Healthcare systems range from primary to tertiary care, and hospitals are at the center of this management field. The following article will examine health care management in its various forms. To begin, consider the types of healthcare systems. Hospitals are comprised of primary, secondary, and tertiary care sectors. Despite the many differences in health care management, all three have important roles for managers.
Depending on the level of education desired, healthcare management careers may involve a variety of business functions. Associate degrees in business administration or functional areas can be sufficient, but for positions at the executive level, a bachelor’s degree in health administration is often required. Online or campus-based degree programs in health care management are available, and can be earned as an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. For additional information about this career, visit UMA’s blog.
The day-to-day tasks of a health administrator may vary, depending on the department that they work in. A medical billing supervisor, for example, may spend most of her day reviewing documentation. An accounting manager, health information manager, and compliance analyst might spend most of their time on computers. A front desk supervisor or HR manager, on the other hand, may spend a majority of their time interacting with patients or staff. While most health managers work 40 hours a week, some may work overtime to meet the needs of their department.
A Master’s degree in health care management offers a broad understanding of business. Health care management programs can lead to graduate or undergraduate degrees, as well as professional certification tracks. The School of Business and Liberal Arts at State University of New York – Canton has specialized accreditation in business programs. The international Accreditation Council for Business Education is located at 11374 Strang Line Road, Lenexa, Kansas. The program is designed for those already working in health care or who want to further their education.
A healthcare manager’s responsibilities are many. These roles can include collaborating with the medical staff to plan the facility’s goals, collaborating with the leadership of the medical staff, and maintaining a good relationship with doctors and nurses. Health care management requires a firm grasp of business principles in order to be successful. The ability to solve problems quickly and creatively is critical in this role. These managers are often responsible for keeping the organization up and running while providing the best possible service to their patients.
A Health Care Management Review disseminates state-of-the-art knowledge in health care management. Its international scope and multidisciplinary content include articles that describe completed research relevant to health care management. Articles also report rigorous evaluations of innovative health care management practices. Each article presents findings that can help administrators make better decisions about the management of health care systems. It is important to note that the articles in this journal are theory-driven, and not simply a summary of current research. They translate research findings into practical implications for health care administrators.