Health Care Administrator Career Plan

The gold standard for health care administration is the master’s degree. Early planning can help you develop your aptitudes.

1. Take a solid academic course load all four years of high school. Take advanced placement courses in subjects like economics. You might also run for office in clubs or activities that you participate in and genuinely enjoy.

2. Become familiar with the health care industry. Consider joining HOSA, the Health Occupations Student Association. You’ll be able to network, enter debate and skills competitions, and generally brush up on your communication skills

3. Research undergraduate and graduate programs in health care administration and related fields. It is possible to do a combined bachelor’s and master’s program if you are a strong student. If you’re going for a lower degree the first time around, you want to have a sense of what you’re aiming for.

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4. Get the most out of your undergraduate experience. Join the student association in health care management, if there is one. Look into additional summer internship opportunities. You might get a job as administrative assistant early in your career.

5. Explore master’s programs if you have not done so already. Master’s programs should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. There are various issues to consider: Are the faculty accomplished in their fields? Do alumni have desirable positions?

6. Complete your coursework and administrative residency. The more you know about your ideal setting and ultimate goal, the more you can tailor your educational experiences to help you reach it.

7. Consider applying for a post-master’s fellowship You will find listings on the site of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)

8. Now it’s time to move closer to your dream job. You have many resources to help you achieve your goals. Post your CV online and get an account with LinkedIn. ACHE has an online career center and also arranges mentoring services for members.

Personality Traits: Employers look for health care administrators that are well-rounded, have good communication skills, and have a deep understanding of health care.