The healthcare industry is one that is made up of all kinds of different sub-sections. Each one of these departments or sections is responsible for keeping the system operating smoothly, providing patients with the level of care needed, and ensuring that hospitals and clinics are able to keep their doors open and serve the public.
While not as publicized as the front-line workers, health care managers deserve their own dose of credit, as these professionals are juggling all kinds of balls at any given time. As the healthcare system continues to grow and expand, there has been a real boom and need for these health care managers, which is just one of the many reasons it’s a career path worth looking into.
What is a Health Care Manager?
First things first, what exactly is a health care manager, and what do they do? In a nutshell, these managers are the ones that make sure hospitals and clinics stay in business by running smoothly. Hospitals and clinics have a huge amount of administrative tasks that are required on a daily basis, and it’s up to the health care manager to oversee them all.
This can include and is not limited to determining the budget, human resources, making sure regular communication goes out to staff, receiving and ordering supplies, holding meetings, making decisions on healthcare needs in the facility, and more. While you aren’t meeting with patients, you are certainly helping to shape the care and experience they will have in the facility. In other words, you can have a huge impact on the patients and the community as a whole.
Just How Big of a Boom Is It?
Simply stating that the healthcare industry is growing really doesn’t capture it accurately. It’s the fact that it’s growing by so much that this career suddenly becomes all the more attractive. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports some very promising numbers for medical and health services managers, with job growth of 32% expected by 2029. That is much faster than the national job growth average and equates to some 133,200 jobs to be added to the field.
You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree to bring into this field, but considering how competitive it is you’ll likely want to take your education further. The Healthcare Administration Masters degree online option is ideal for those who want to take their career further and really realize personal success.
These Managers are Needed at All Sizes of Facilities
Then there is the fact that these health care managers don’t just exist in large hospitals and clinics; you can find them at all sizes of facilities. This even includes small practices or individual doctor’s offices. It doesn’t matter if you live in a large urban area, or a rural area – if there is some sort of medical office or facility that exists, a health care manager is most likely needed.
A Path Worth Investigating
It’s hard to find a sector that is growing as fast as that of the health care industry, which is truly exciting news for anyone looking for a career in this field.