Caring Careers in Healthcare Administration

For example, there's Byron Y. Owens, MA, CFAAMA. Owens is a healthcare administrator who had a life-changing experience with Project Hope, an NGO working in southern Jordan in support of a women's health clinic. As Owens points out in a 2009 article published by the American Academy of Medical Administrators, humanitarian work can take its toll. "The work is hard, hours often long, and frustrations with anything from language barriers to cultural differences never ending," he explains.

However, Owens stresses that despite the challenges, the experience was "hands down" the most rewarding he's ever done throughout the course of his healthcare administration career. "When you look into the eyes of the patients who have benefited from the donations and may have lost their lives due to a lack of very basic medications had you not been part of providing it," Owens writes, "you are overcome with the satisfaction and joy of knowing that you made a difference."

But you don't have to travel to the far corners of the globe to make a substantial difference in the lives of others as a healthcare administrator. Sheree Parris Nudd is the vice president of Washington Adventist Hospital and Executive Director of the philanthropic fundraising division of the hospital, called the Washington Adventist Hospital Foundation. Philanthropy makes it possible for hospitals to improve services beyond what is funded by insurance companies or individual payments. "When we participate in the charitable activities of a hospital we really do save lives, just as much as doctors do," Nudd said in a 2002 interview conducted by business columnist Gene C. Mage.

Key Skills for Caring Healthcare Administrators

Do the above anecdotes resonate strongly with you? If you can picture yourself working at the administrative level to make big-picture changes in healthcare, you'll need an exceptional skillset. According to Marilyn M. Henry, MSN, FAAMA, FACCA, CHE, being able to work as a member of a team is high on the must-have list.

"Over my 30+ year healthcare career," said Henry in an editorial for AAMA Executive Online, "I have seen many different management concepts on how to succeed.... But "team" is one concept that transcends time, whether you are on a healthcare team or whether you are on the football field. I believe a true 'team' breeds success in whatever you are doing."

Other important skills include excellent communication strategies, strong leadership ability, and high empathy. You'll need to be able to bridge gaps of culture, language and gender. You'll need an unstoppable drive to help others, a rock-hard sense of responsibility, and the ability to maintain confidentiality. You'll need to be able to make decisions that aren't necessarily popular--but are the best ones for your community. As Albus Dumbledore of JK Rowling's famous books would say, you may need to choose between "what is right, and what is easy."

Paths to Healthcare Administration Careers

"There are three or four typical paths to careers in healthcare administration", says Nudd, quoted above. "Certainly nursing has been a key one. The allied health professions are another, and finance has been a very common way for people to move into administration. And yes, from time to time you also find people who have moved through the philanthropic fundraising path into administration."

The huge diversity of healthcare administration jobs speaks to the truth of Nudd's words. For example, as a healthcare administrator you might rejoice in the job title of Director of Hospital Public Relations, Director of Hospital Marketing, Managed Care Administrator, Financial Analyst, Human Resources Administrator, Systems Administrator...and many, many more!

Explore Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
To get started on your own path to a rewarding healthcare administration career, just request free information from several accredited institutions. As an online healthcare administration student, you'll be able to balance your education with work and family. The sooner you attain your degree, the sooner you'll be able to explore the rich and satisfying world of healthcare administration: Online Health Care Administration Programs

Sources Cited:

Mage, Gene. "Helping fund healthcare. (Special Feature).(Interview)." Making it Work. 2002. Retrieved February 04, 2010 from accessmylibrary: accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-124855954/helping-fund-healthcare-special.html.

Marilyn M. Henry, MSN, FAAMA, FACCA, CHE. "Chair's Editorial: Team Breeds Success." January/February 2010. Retrieved February 04, 2010 from AAMA Executive Online: newsmanager.commpartners.com/aamaeo/issues/2010-01-05/6.html.

Byron Y. Owens, MA, CFAAMA, AAMA . "To the Ends of the Earth: A Healthcare Administrator's Experience with Medical Humanitarian Aid." September/October 2009. Retrieved February 04, 2010 from AAMA Executive Online: newsmanager.commpartners.com/aamaeo/issues/2009-09-07/2.html.

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Health Services Administration, AA (Online)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Independence University

Campus

You can advance your career 24/7 with online education at Independence University, your proven partner with over 30 years of experience in delivering quality distance education right to our students. Our programs are designed to allow you to continue working and earning as you pursue your online degree.

From associate's and bachelor's to master's degrees in health education and business, with Independence University you can achieve greater success through distance learning programs that suit your busy schedule, with experienced, student-oriented staff to assist you throughout your distance education.

Programs:

• BS - Health Services Management
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• MS - Healthcare Administration

Campus Locations:

Salt Lake City

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

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• Ph.D. in Health Services - Self-Directed - Leadership
• Ph.D. in Health Services - Course-based - Health Care Admin

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

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Baker College Online

Campus

Baker College Online is fully accredited and offers over 40 programs that will help you earn your Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Master's or Doctorate degree affordably. Learn more now.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Health Services Administration
• Master of Business Administration - Health Care Management

Campus Locations:

Lisle

National American University

Campus

Since its beginnings in 1941, National American University has been a cornerstone of higher education, keeping pace with the ever-changing advancements of technology, while holding onto core values that provide a caring and supportive environment for all students.

Programs:

• Medical Staff Services Management
• Health Care Management
• Electronic Health Record Support Specialist

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Tulsa
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Hopkins
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Strayer University

Campus

Get the right foundation for your future with a degree from Strayer University. Evening, weekend and online classes are all available to meet the needs of busy adults.

Programs:

• BBA: Health Services Administration
• Masters: Health Services Administration
• MBA: Health Services Administration

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Cleveland
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Florida Technical College

Campus

Florida Technical College has structured its Health Care, Technology, and Programming curricula to achieve one thing for its students: success in the real world.

Programs:

• Health Service Admn, Medical Asst and Health Info Tech

Campus Locations:

Orlando

Charter College

Campus

Prepare for a better career and a brighter future with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. Our small class sizes and dedicated instructors ensure a personalized education experience. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find the job that's right for you after graduation.

Programs:

• Health Care Administration

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Vancouver
Oxnard
Bellingham
Anchorage

Daymar Institute

Campus

We Change Lives... One Person At A Time®. We offer certificate, associate degree, and bachelor's degree programs for careers in a variety of fields, including medical, criminal justice, computer technology, and business.

Programs:

• Health Care Administration

Campus Locations:

Clarksville

Keiser University Campus

Campus

Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.

Programs:

• Health Services Administration, BA
• Health Services Administration, AA (Online Only)
• Health Services Administration, AA

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Lakeland
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Kaplan University - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan University can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

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Omaha
Cedar Falls

Albertus Magnus College

Campus

Earn your degree and advance your career with Albertus Magnus College. We offer bachelor's and master's degrees and adult accelerated programs in a wide variety of fields, including science, business, criminal justice, communications, education, and much, much more.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Concentration in Healthcare Management

Campus Locations:

East Hartford

Carrington College

Campus

Carrington College has helped over 45,000 graduates realize their dream of a career in healthcare. Now it's your turn. Choose from eleven conveniently located campuses.

Programs:

• Health Care Administration
• Medical Office Management

Campus Locations:

Albuquerque
Mesa
Tucson
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Boise
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Berkeley College

Campus

Widely recognized as unique among colleges and universities, Berkeley College offers a proven approach to career education that provides students with a competitive edge and the skills sought by employers.

Programs:

• BS, Health Services Management
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• BBA in Health Services Management

Campus Locations:

Woodbridge
Newark
Paramus
Little Falls
New York
White Plains