The Business of Healthcare: Healthcare Management

By Sarah Jane Udall
sarahjane.udall@medicalhealthcarecareerschools.com
Medical Healthcare Career Schools Columnist

Earning a degree in healthcare management will open the door to opportunities in the healthcare management field, and will prepare you to assess the needs of a healthcare facility, and promote health services in your community.

What is Healthcare Management?

Healthcare management jobs encompass all jobs that require someone to plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of healthcare. Healthcare management jobs include the management of specific clinical departments as well as the management of an entire facility or healthcare system.


Individuals in healthcare management jobs formulate business strategies and coordinate day-to-day business such as billing and collection, budgeting, planning, equipment outlays, and patient flow. Individuals in healthcare management jobs also often work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals. Some healthcare management jobs may involve overseeing the activities of several physicians, or a number of facilities within a healthcare system.

Training & Education for Healthcare Management Jobs

Degree programs in healthcare management are available at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. A master’s degree is typically the standard credential for most healthcare management jobs, although a bachelor’s degree is adequate for some entry-level positions. Earning a degree in healthcare management will prepare you to develop, plan, and manage healthcare operations and services within and across healthcare facilities.

Curriculum in a healthcare management program typically includes basic courses in anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology, as well as instruction in planning, business management, financial management, public relations, human resources management, health care systems operations and management, health care policy making, health laws and regulations, and medical office administrative procedures.

These programs are typically practice oriented, and designed to provide opportunities for you to practice administrative skills within healthcare facilities, and to prepare you to assess the healthcare needs of these facilities in order to promote health services relevant to that facility and community.

Healthcare Management Job Opportunities

With a degree in healthcare management, you will be able to concentrate on and acquire positions in healthcare administration and healthcare facility management, as well as use your skills and knowledge to address public health issues.

Earnings in healthcare management are high, though most jobs in healthcare management require dedication and long hours.

About the Author:

Sarah Jane Udall is a freelance writer currently living in New York City. Her previous experience includes working for Global Village Communications in Washington, D.C., and in the Creative and Development departments of VH1 and MTV networks as a production assistant, and a copy-writer, as well as doing script revision, press releases, and writing for an online newspaper. Sarah Jane holds a B.S. in Political Science and English Literature from the University of Utah.

Posted on: October 17, 2005