Health Administration Career Resources
Health Administration Job Overview
WCU’s Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) and Master of Health Administration (MHA) programs help prepare graduates to pursue rewarding careers in health administration. Students also have the opportunity to enroll in a Master of Business (MBA) program with a specialization in Health Administration and Leadership.
This resource provides a broad overview of a career in health administration.
Sample Job Titles
- Hospital administrator
- Clinical Manager
- Health Information Manager
- Nursing Home Administrator
Sample Health Administration Responsibilities
- Develop goals and objectives related to efficiency and quality of healthcare services
- Ensure the facility’s compliance with laws and regulations
- Keep and organize records of facility services, such as the number of inpatient beds used
- Prepare and monitor budgets and manage finances, including patient fees and billing
- Recruit, train, and supervise staff members
Top Health Administrator Qualities
- Analytical skills – review and evaluate healthcare metrics for opportunities to increase efficiency
- Attention to detail – organize and maintain information related to scheduling, finance, and more for healthcare facilities
- Communication skills – must convey information to their staff, colleagues, other healthcare workers, and at times, insurance companies
- Leadership skills – ability to motivate others and foster an environment where workers can succeed
- Technical skills – stay up to date on advances in healthcare technology, such as the coding and electronic health record (EHR) systems
For more, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Profile for Medical and Health Services Managers.
Health Administration Job Interview Preparation
Associations
- American College of Healthcare Executives
- The American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
- American Health Information Management Association
- Healthcare Financial Management Association
- National Association of Health Services Executives
- The National Association of Healthcare Access Management
- Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals
- Health Care Administrators Association
Certifications and Credentials
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality
- Certified Healthcare Financial Professional
- Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems
- Certified in Healthcare Compliance
- Certified Professional in Health Care Risk Management
- Certified Medical Manager
“I learned basic skills on how to build a resume and gained some interviewing tips along the way.”
– Marissa M., MHA ’22
FAQs
What are some common health administration interview questions?
During a health administration job interview, you can expect questions focused on both technical skills and leadership abilities. Questions will vary based on a number of factors including the experience level of the role (entry level, middle management, etc.), the particular healthcare facility, and more. Examples of potential questions include:
- Can you explain your approach to improving patient care services?
- How would you handle conflicts between staff members or departments?
- How do you manage budgets and financial reports in a healthcare setting?
- Describe a time when you implemented a change in a healthcare facility. How did you handle it?
- How do you ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and policies?
- Which EHR systems are you most familiar with?
What should I include on my health administration resume?
A strong health administration resume should highlight your leadership, organizational, and healthcare-specific skills. It should do all of this succinctly and with clean formatting. Here are some key components that a solid resume will include:
- Professional summary: Brief description of your qualifications and career goals.
- Work experience: An overview of your relevant healthcare management roles, responsibilities, and achievements.
- Education: Degrees, certifications, and relevant training.
- Skills: Highlight key competencies like finance, strategic planning, data analysis, and team leadership.
- Certifications: Include any industry-recognized credentials.
Is it beneficial to join health administration associations?
Joining a health administration association offers several advantages including networking opportunities, professional development, industry insights, mentorship and support, as well as access to job opportunities.
How can WCU Career Services help?
Our Career Services offer a range of services, including career advising and resume review, so you can feel confident about every step of your job search. We’ll help prepare you for real job interviews and give you the tools you need to make a strong impression on hiring managers.
Additionally, we partner with many employers across various industries, helping to facilitate meaningful connections and opportunities between recruiting companies and our student and alumni populations.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Health Services Managers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
The opinion is the individual’s sole opinion and not necessarily representative of that of the school, any instructor or any other student.
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