Administrators play a major role in the health care industry.
Health care is an industry that is in constant growth mode due to the fact that everyone needs medical services. In addition to the doctors, nurses and other care professionals who actually provide health services, the industry has many opportunities on the administrative side. Areas such as facilities management, procurement, finance, technology and working in the public sector are options in the health care industry, even for managers without training in treating the sick and injured.
Medical Facilities
The most recognizable careers in health care administration are those in hospitals and other care facilities. Health services administrators manage the business affairs of the hospital, clinic or doctor's office. They serve as directors of these facilities, finance directors, human resources managers or as purchasing specialists. The ability to have a medical facility run on budget and with efficiency usually falls under the guidance of the administrative staff rather than the medical staff. Both are critical to the effective management of the hospital.
Insurance Industry
Insurance companies and health maintenance organizations are major players in the health care industry. Government policy changes and the rising costs of medical care put an extra management burden on the people who run these entities as well. As insurance businesses do their research and strategic planning and work hand-in-hand with medical service suppliers, the business decisions at these companies are another avenue for trained health services administrators. Because they comprehend how the service side of the business is run, they are in a good position make solid business decisions for the companies they manage.
Suppliers
Private companies in the pharmaceutical industry or manufacturers of medical supplies and equipment are another career avenue for health service administrators. With their insight into the business side of the health care industry, trained administrators have the ability to be a major asset with the suppliers of medical equipment and support services. The business needs of a drug company, an equipment manufacturer or distributor are very much linked to those of the medical practitioner, so the skills of the health services administrator are as geared towards selling pharmaceutical supplies or managing drug companies as they are running the medical facility.
Nonprofit Organizations
Organizations like the American Red Cross or Bloodsource provide valuable support services to the health care industry, and they need effective management. There are also various federal, state and local government agencies that work within health care circles, and they also look to health services administrators for management assistance. By getting involved in different aspects of the nonprofit and government part of health care, civic-minded professionals can have a hand in shaping public policy.
Tags: care industry, health care, health care industry, health care, health services, services administrators