The Pros and Cons of a Medical Facilities Administrator Career
Medical facilities administrators oversee all the functions of hospitals, medical clinics, home healthcare agencies, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. Keep reading to see if a career in medical facilities administration is right for you.
| Pros of a Medical Facilities Administrator Career |
|---|
| Excellent pay ($92,810 median annual salary in 2014)* |
| Job security (expected 23% job growth from 2012-2022)* |
| Excellent job benefits (medical, 401(k), tuition assistance)** |
| Training can be applied to various industries (insurance, sales, marketing)*** |
| Cons of a Medical Facilities Administrator Career |
|---|
| Overnight and weekend work is required for emergencies or 24-hour facilities* |
| Candidates must work their way up to administrator level*** |
| Possibility of exposure to infectious disease**** |
| Licensure is required to operate some facilities***** |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Monster.com, ***The Princeton Review, ****Infection Control Today, *****New York State Department of Health.
Career Information
Job Description and Duties
Medical facilities administrators are responsible for all operations, including billing, records and building maintenance. They monitor all activities, make decisions, solve problems and are responsible for making sure that all services runs smoothly. Medical facilities administrators plan work schedules and budgets and ensure that all laws and regulations are observed. They also issue reports, supervise personnel and attend board and investor meetings. These duties can vary, depending on the type of facility they work for. Many medical services administrators work for federal agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Veterans Health Administration.
Salary and Job Outlook Info
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2014 the median annual wage of a medical and health services manager was $92,810. The chances of landing a job are very good, since the number of positions is expected to increase by 23% from 2012-2022 (which is much faster than average).
What Are the Requirements?
Education Requirements
A bachelor's degree in health administration is generally required, although some employers will accept related experience as a substitute for a college degree. A typical bachelor's program in health administration includes courses in accounting, healthcare economics, human resource management and marketing. An internship is generally required. Many facilities prefer to hire candidates with advanced degrees; however, a degree won't enable you to immediately obtain an administrator position. This field generally requires you to start at a lower-level position, such as administrative assistant, and then work your way up.
Skills
To be a medical facilities administrator, you must have good critical thinking skills; judgment; and oral, written and reading comprehension. To run a medical facility, you need to be able to motivate those you supervise, manage your time and the time schedules of others. You'll also need to be able to recognize problems in advance and use inductive and deductive reasoning to solve them.
Licensing Requirements
A license is required for employment as a nursing home administrator. Each state establishes its own requirements, and these generally include a certain amount of experience in administration, a bachelor's degree or higher and a passing grade on the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards exam. Some states also require a passing grade on a state exam.
What Employers Are Looking for
Employers generally want to see a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration and some experience in the healthcare field. A bachelor's degree in nursing or another related field is often accepted in place of a degree in healthcare administration. Below are some of the requirements that actual employers posted in April 2012:
- A nursing home in Florida is looking for a medical facilities administrator to oversee all facility operations. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent to satisfy state requirements for licensure along with experience in a nursing home, home healthcare agency, long-term care or assisted living facility.
- A correctional facility in Vermont needs a medical facilities administrator to manage its healthcare program and to ensure that services are delivered in compliance with required standards. Requirements include a bachelor's degree in health administration, nursing or a related field; CPR certification; and at least three years of administrative experience. A nursing license along with budget and contract experience is preferred.
- The a health service has an opening for a medical facilities administrator in Nevada. The candidate will establish and implement operating procedures and ensure that programs and personnel continue to meet all health service requirements. A graduate degree in hospital administration or a related field is desired, though experience in healthcare administration equivalent to level GS-13 work can be substituted.
How to Get an Edge in the Field
A bachelor's degree in health services administration or a related field might get your foot in the door, but a graduate degree is often necessary for career advancement. Some facilities require a master's degree before considering you for employment, and a Doctor of Health Administration can give you a clear advantage over others competing for an administrative position in the healthcare field.
Membership in a professional association for medical facilities administrators, such as the American College of Healthcare Executives, Medical Group Management Association or the Health Information and Management Systems Society, can give you the career development tools that to help you advance in the profession. These tools include workshops, products and services, and these organizations also provide certification that can put you ahead of the competition. Certification provides proof that you have the expertise and experience to run a healthcare facility, since only those who have the requisite education and experience are eligible to take the certification exam.
Other Careers to Consider
Human Resources Manager
Managing a medical services facility is a big responsibility, and if you don't feel comfortable with that level of accountability, you may prefer a career as a human resources manager. Human resources managers resolve work issues in an organization, supervise department personnel, oversee hiring and serve as liaison between lower-level employees and management. A bachelor's degree and experience are generally required to enter this career. The salary is generous, with human resources managers in 2011 earning a median annual wage of $99,000, according to the BLS. Job growth of around 13% is projected through 2020, which is about average.
Social and Community Service Manager
If you want to work in management but not the medical field, social and community service managers oversee all of the activities performed by community or social service organizations. Their job duties include planning budgets, recruiting volunteers, fundraising and preparing reports. Most social and community service managers have a bachelor's degree, though a small percentage obtains employment with only a high school diploma. The median annual wage for this occupation is almost $59,000, which is considerably lower than that of a medical facilities director, but the job prospects are brighter, with up to 27% growth expected through the year 2020.
