Healthcare Management Certificate Programs

Healthcare management professionals are the behind the scenes support system of any health care facility, from small clinics to large hospitals. They provide doctors, nurses and other medical personnel with the tools and support they need to provide patients with the best healthcare services possible. Healthcare management professionals enable healthcare facilities to operate and deliver quality service to the community. A healthcare management certificate is the first step to building a career in this rewarding industry.

It is easy to forget that healthcare facilities are businesses. Like any business, hospitals and clinics, and other medical organizations need supervisors, administrators, and other management personnel. These professionals manage supportive operations, such as insurance and managed care companies. They also ensure that the facility is providing safe and comfortable medical services to anyone in the community who needs them. Healthcare management employees are often the medical facility's only connection to the community. They distribute important health related information to the community through announcements, publications, and special facility sponsored local programs.

With a healthcare management certificate, you are not limited to seeking employment only with hospitals. Graduates can seek employment with clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, or health insurance organizations. Any organization that is involved in providing healthcare services to people is a possible employer of healthcare management professionals.

Healthcare Management Career Training

While studying healthcare management, you may choose to become specialized in one area that is of interest to you. You can further your studies to become specialized in finance, human relations, public affairs, medical staff relations, planning and development, or one of the many other areas involved with healthcare management. Larger hospitals and healthcare providers will employ a healthcare management team, with employees who are in charge of one of these particular areas. Smaller facilities will only have a small number of management staff that will oversee all of these responsibilities, so it is important to have a solid understanding of the entire field.

There is a strong demand for healthcare management employees, and the employment opportunities should remain steady over the next few years. However, it is very beneficial to have a healthcare management certificate when seeking a position. Most employers will require some type of education and many states require their healthcare professionals to receive certification. A healthcare management certificate is the first step to filling any of the requirements needed to pursue this career path.

With a certificate in healthcare management, it is quite easy to find an entry-level job, or middle management job with a hospital, or private practice. A master's degree can then be pursued to advance to the highest-level positions. The field of healthcare is rapidly changing. How healthcare is delivered, and the locations where healthcare is being practiced, is changing. The professionals who are providing the services, and the way healthcare is financed is also changing. Many practices that were once being delivered by hospitals are moving to private practices. With all of this change, comes a need for qualified management to monitor and facilitate this change. With a certificate in healthcare management, you can be a part of the planning and implementation of this new and exciting phase of healthcare.

Curriculum Covered

When researching certificate programs some offer programs for individuals that are new to the industry and others offer graduate related certificate programs. During your training you’ll encounter courses related to: The healthcare system, management and marketing, medical sociology, health care security as well as financial management courses. It is important to realize that a certificate program is just the starting point for your career in healthcare management. During your training you’ll learn more about the industry but more importantly if management and administration is a career path you would like to continue to pursue.

Possible Employment Paths

When people hear of healthcare management or administration careers the first thing they think of is the individuals who are responsible for hospitals and their staff. Although this is one area you’ll need years of experience at other levels of management in order to qualify for the position, not to mention additional years of schooling. Below are just a few of the areas you could qualify for with the proper training.

Front Desk Administrator – One of the key positions at any healthcare facility is the front desk. They are there to meet you when you come in, gather information and get you to the proper place as quickly as possible. Many hospitals and large medical facilities require lots of front office administrators as well as managers. They need individuals who are qualified and have good listening skills. To be a manager you’ll need to be able to understand the front desk positions. Having management training from your program will help you take care of the administrative tasks needed to do your job correctly.

Back Office Administration – The individuals who make sure things run smoothly and profitable are your back office managers. They are responsible for things like payroll, computer systems, billing and code and even transcription roles. They order supplies for the medical office and make sure things are in order for doctors and other staff members.

Hiring Manager – No hospital would be complete without HR. With so many things that are needing medical compliance it will be up to the HR manager to make sure your facility is in properly compliance with both state and federal rules. Hiring managers typically screen employees for healthcare management positions both for the front and back office.

Employment Opportunities

When looking at jobs after you graduate your first thought might to apply at your local hospital but we recommend starting at places that might have the fewest employees first which are the ones that usually are in the most need of help. Yes hospitals have lots of positions but many might require a few years of experience first before they will even allow you to apply. We recommend looking into nursing homes and local doctors’ offices first. Here you can gain the necessary experience in administration. Other facilities to check would be nonprofit clinics, assisted living managed facilities and even out-patient facilities such as treatment centers.

Healthcare Management Resources:
American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
American College of Healthcare Executives
Health Services Managers Outlook
American Hospital Association