Day in the Life of a Healthcare Administrator

Are you thinking about pursuing a career in public health? Do you love the idea of impacting patients' lives but aren't sure about working in unpredictable situations or having irregular hours? If you have a passion for the healthcare system and helping others but don't want to work directly with patients, then a career as a healthcare administrator may be the ideal fit.

Healthcare administration, sometimes known as healthcare management, is a popular career choice for people who want to help others but don't want to work as a medical professional or direct care provider. Because healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries, there's a very positive outlook for healthcare administrative jobs. Additionally, professionals in this industry generally enjoy a high job satisfaction rate. This guide can help you better understand the different aspects of healthcare administration and determine whether the career is right for you.
 

What Is a Healthcare Administrator?

A healthcare administrator is an administrative professional who directs the operations of a healthcare organization. Unlike physicians and nurses who work in those facilities, healthcare administrators don't regularly deal with patients directly. Instead, their job is to shape policy, make necessary changes, and lead the organization to provide the best possible care for patients. They are also responsible for daily and long-term decisions that impact their healthcare system.

Healthcare administrators can have various job titles, depending on their work environment. Titles include:

• Healthcare executive
• Hospital administrator
• Medical and health services manager
• Nursing home manage
• Healthcare manager
• Administrative manager
• Related: Healthcare Administration job titles

What Does a Healthcare Administrator Do Daily?

Every day, healthcare administrators may perform any or all of the following duties:

Administrative Functions

As the title suggests, a healthcare administrator's day-to-day responsibilities include many administrative functions. One such function is to develop goals for the various departments within a particular healthcare setting, which may entail assessing which services patients need, evaluating the current capabilities of the facility, and examining the competencies of the staff. Upon identifying any shortfalls, they may also implement policy and procedure improvements.

Budgeting is another administrative function that healthcare administrators perform. Creating and managing a sound budget involves understanding the costs of operation and equipment, as well as the growth prospects of the organization. By acting in part as a financial steward, they help to ensure that patients receive optimal treatment from the facility and its providers.

A third key administrative duty is ensuring regulatory compliance. Medical facilities must adhere to state and federal standards, such as those pertaining to the protection of personal health information. Therefore, healthcare administrators should stay current on the latest news, trends, and changes in the healthcare industry. 

Coordinating Health Services

The healthcare administrator ensures the facility provides the most appropriate services and the best possible care. They need to be able to contract and negotiate with third-party providers, such as medical and office supply companies, and to ensure their medical and administrative staff has the resources they need to perform their jobs effectively.

Overseeing Staff and Operations

A healthcare administrator is responsible for overseeing the recruiting, hiring, and training of administrative personnel and managing that staff. This means they are often responsible for creating schedules for those staff members and resolving conflicts between team members when they arise. To maintain a productive and healthy work environment for the staff in the facility, they need to have a strong background in human resources and management.

They are also responsible for ensuring that staff members keep pace with performance goals, which entails conducting performance evaluations. In doing so, healthcare administrators help ensure providers and other employees deliver the highest-quality service.

Liaising Between Administration and Staff

Healthcare administrators are often responsible for communicating between the administrative and medical staff, including nurses, physicians, and technicians. They may attend regular meetings with physicians to better understand how the facility is running and learn about any issues that medical personnel may be facing. They may also participate in meetings with other leaders in the community, attending as a representative of the healthcare facility. A healthcare administrator may also be responsible for attending fundraising planning, especially as many hospitals are nonprofit organizations.

Collaborating with External Agencies and Stakeholders

The duties of healthcare administrators go beyond the walls of a medical setting. They must also interact regularly with external agencies and stakeholders, such as insurance providers, government agencies, and regulatory bodies. Working with insurers relates to budgeting, as negotiations between the medical facility and insurance entities influence patient billing. The interactions with federal and regulatory entities pertain to the regulatory compliance aspect of the job. 

Professional Development

Ongoing professional development is a common requirement in the healthcare field. That involves staying up to date on industry standards and changes and attending conferences and seminars. Healthcare administrators in nursing care facilities also need state licensure, which may require continuing education in their field.
 

The Importance of Healthcare Administrators in Healthcare Industries

Healthcare administrators are important because they are the primary figures within a healthcare setting who ensure treatment delivery and patient safety. They do so by guaranteeing the proper expenditure of funds, appropriate handling of sensitive information, and effective management of vital staff. Their efforts allow a healthcare facility to remain profitable and capable of providing services to patients in the community. 
 

What Are the Educational Qualifications to Become a Healthcare Administrator?

Over 510,000 people hold healthcare administration positions in the U.S., from middle management roles to CEOs. These positions require strong leadership skills and professionalism, in-depth knowledge of the healthcare system, and an understanding of medical terminology.

Healthcare administrators typically need a minimum of a bachelor's degree to qualify. A degree in business or nursing is often common. However, a bachelor's in healthcare administration is ideal, as the coursework in this program is designed to provide aspiring healthcare administrators with the skills they need to succeed in these roles. For example, a program should provide future healthcare administrators with:

• Knowledge of healthcare administration, law, management, economics, and policy.
• Knowledge of the different forces that impact healthcare systems.
• Management principles to build cross-functional teams and encourage collaborative decision-making.

Regardless of the degree, aspiring healthcare administrators should pursue a program that will expose them to all aspects of business, including leadership, communication, finance, and strategy.

Recent graduates pursuing a career in healthcare administration can seek entry-level positions in human resources, finance, or even marketing. They should look for opportunities to gain leadership experience and eventually move into a management position such as an HR director or marketing manager. These positions can help them learn the foundational knowledge to qualify for a more advanced position as a healthcare administrator.

Related: How to become a Healthcare Administrator
 

What Skills Should a Healthcare Administrator Have?

There are several skills that an aspiring healthcare administrator should develop to be successful in this role. They include:

• Communication skills: Healthcare administrators need to communicate clearly and effectively with their staff to offer guidance and feedback. They also need to have strong listening skills to work with their own staff, the medical providers, and other executives in the organization.
• Analytical skills: Healthcare administrators are responsible for ensuring their facilities stay up to date with new regulations and remain compliant. They need to be able to understand and analyze new laws and apply them in their own organization.
• Leadership skills: Since a large portion of a healthcare administrator's role is dedicated to leading staff, they must be able to lead decisively and with compassion. They must also be able to train new staff members.
• Technology skills: Technology is heavily relied upon in the healthcare industry. Administrators need to know how to use software and equipment for budgeting and planning and always look for ways to use technology to improve efficiency within the facility.
• Research: This skill can be applied to various scenarios. Healthcare administrators may be asked to develop plans for new services or look for new ways to improve the patient intake process. They must be able to gather information from key stakeholders, research the latest advancements, and review effective solutions from other facilities.
• Problem solving: A problem-solving mindset is critical for healthcare administrators to manage the everyday challenges in a healthcare facility. This mindset is also essential to look for new ways to strengthen the processes that are already in place.

What Is the Work Environment for a Healthcare Administrator?

Healthcare administrators work in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, or clinics. They often spend long hours working at a desk, although they also spend a large portion of their day at the healthcare facility to ensure it's running smoothly. As part of their role, they may be required to attend meetings and even deliver presentations on the quality and efficiency of patient care. They may also be periodically required to travel for conferences or meetings outside of the organization.

Most healthcare administrators work a regular 40-hour week, although sometimes it's necessary to work longer hours. If the administrator is responsible for operations in a hospital or nursing home facility that offers around-the-clock care for patients, they may be called outside of normal business hours if issues arise.

Related: Healthcare Administration vs Healthcare Management (What's the difference)
 

Job Outlook for Healthcare Administrators

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for healthcare administrators is expected to grow 29% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the 4% average for all occupations. This is primarily the result of the aging baby-boomer population and the increase in demand for healthcare workers, healthcare facilities, and managers who can organize and manage those facilities.

The demand for healthcare administrators in private medical group practices is also expected to grow, as many of the services that were previously offered in hospitals are shifting to these settings. Also, since the use of electronic health records continues to grow, there is expected to be a demand for healthcare administrators with a strong background in health information technology and systems.

Prepare for the rising demand by pursuing an education in healthcare administration. Concorde offers an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration that can be completed in as little as 24 months. The curriculum covers the core principles, research methods, and competencies associated with the field. Learn how to become a leader among healthcare providers and an advocate of patients while taking control of your future.