What Is Health Care Administration?
GRADUATE STUDIES | 3 MIN READ
Health care administration is the side of health care we don’t think much about. But this behind-the-scenes work allows frontline health care 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 health care, they create an environment in which all facets—facilities, services, budget, staff and programming—function smoothly and help patients get the best possible care.
Health care administration includes health service managers and health care 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 health care 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.
Health Care 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
Health care administration has become ever more essential as the size and complexity of our nation’s health care systems grow. The responsibilities that fall under that general job description include:
