What Is Healthcare Administration?
GRADUATE STUDIES | 3 MIN READ
Healthcare administration is the side of healthcare we don’t think much about. But this behind-the-scenes work allows frontline healthcare workers to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Ideally, top-notch administration leads to better outcomes and a healthier community for all.
So, who are the administrators at work here? They are not clinicians and they don’t work directly with patients. They do implement policy and coordinate staff and systems to make continuous improvements.
By working on the administrative side of healthcare, they create an environment in which all facets—facilities, services, budget, staff and programming—function smoothly and help patients get the best possible care.
Healthcare administration includes health service managers and healthcare managers. Often, this professional field is rooted in hospitals—but it’s also essential to physician groups, nursing homes and home health agencies.
You’ll also find healthcare administrators in the public sector, at work for the city health department, for example. Or in the private sector for employers such as pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, consulting firms or medical equipment suppliers.
Some people choose to focus more heavily on policy, working with organizations like the American Red Cross or the American Hospital Association to coordinate with local, state or federal governments.
Healthcare Administration Salaries
In the United States, more than 300,000 people work in health administration, from supervisors to CEOs. And the field is booming. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 6% increase in administrative services managers by 2029, faster than the average growth across all industries.
Careers in health administration typically pay between $50,000 and $170,000 a year, with a median salary of almost $100,000.
Job Responsibilities
Healthcare administration has become ever more essential as the size and complexity of our nation’s healthcare systems grow. The responsibilities that fall under that general job description include:
