The Healthcare Administration profession gives those employed in it the opportunity to formulate policies and render critical decisions that have a direct impact on the individuals, organizations and institutions who provide health and medical services to the general public. Many professionals working in this field hold a Master's in Health Administration (MHA), most of whom specialized in a specific area. The following are five areas of specialization that those pursuing this masters degree and desire a career in the industry might wish to choose from.
Resource: Top 10 MHA Online Programs 2016-2017
Healthcare Operations
Considered a popular area of specialization for those soon to be employed in hospital administration, a Healthcare Operations tract can prepare students to assume various management roles. Program participants will study subjects including, but not limited to marketing, human resources, facilities management, asset management and consumerism. Students will typically need to complete either a capstone project or author a master's thesis for degree eligibility. Graduates should be able to seek employment in the management offices of institutions like hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare clinics and insurance companies.
Healthcare Informatics
Countless amounts of information are processed in the healthcare industry on a daily basis, including sensitive data like individual medical records, personal and organizational financial records. Those in healthcare informatics are responsible for processing, organizing and protecting this critical material. Prospective Healthcare Informatics Specialists will study topics including analytics, telecommunications and information networks, ethics and system design. Degree candidates will also likely need to complete a capstone project and/or a thesis. Graduates should be able to find employment overseeing the information technology departments in organizations and institutions like hospitals, medical clinics, insurance companies and private medical practices.
Financial Management
Financial Management Specialists in the health administration field oversee financial transactions, formulate budgets, allocate funds and create financial plans for the healthcare entities whom employ them. They will study advanced topics in business courses like management, accounting, economics and marketing. In addition, they might also study topics like analytics. Degree candidates will likely also need to complete a capstone project and/or complete a thesis. Graduates can pursue employment in the financial departments of various healthcare entities like hospitals, nursing homes, physicians offices and health insurance companies.
Health Policy
Health Policy Specialists formulate strategies determining how their organizations will be managed. Prospective degree earners will study topics like ethics, communications, business, economics, management, information systems and health law. Prospective degree earners will likely need to complete a capstone project and/or author a thesis. Graduates often seek work in the administrative offices of hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, health insurance companies and government-related healthcare agencies.
Quality Care
Quality Care Specialists strive to provide optimal care to patients both in and out of a medical facility, as well as research methods to improve the quality of care their places of employment provide when the need arises. Prospective degree earners will study subjects like communications, patient care, operations and organizational behavior. Completion of a capstone project and/or a thesis will also likely be necessary. Quality care specialists often seek employment in the patient care departments of hospitals, medical clinics and health insurance companies.
The Healthcare Administration field is projected to see the number of jobs available to prospective employees rise. A 2014 study by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics saw the number of Healthcare Administrators increase a significant percentage in venues where they are often employed. Healthcare Administrators with an MHA earn, on average, in excess of $63,000.