Healthcare is a vastly diverse field comprised of hundreds of different roles and responsibilities. No matter what kind of skillset you possess, as long as you have a passion for helping others, a commitment to learning, and a strong work ethic, there will likely be a position for you within the sector.
For those who wish to take on a challenging, rewarding, and meaningful new job in the world of healthcare but would rather not work strictly in a medical capacity, an administration role could be the perfect fit.
Whether you’re hoping to change lanes and take your healthcare career in a new direction, or you want to start out in the industry for the very first time, it’s worth thinking about whether or not an admin role could be right for you.
Commitment to Change
Healthcare administrators are, in many ways, agents of change in the industry. They work tirelessly to improve the healthcare system as a whole – and that includes the lives of those who rely on it.
If you’re interested in making positive societal changes and helping others as part of your day job without having to be a doctor or nurse, a fulfilling career in healthcare administration might be the best way to go.
Education
Plenty of healthcare roles are incredibly lucrative, but the highest paying jobs often require candidates to have advanced degrees. If you’re able to commit to a lifelong journey of learning and personal growth, many rewards await you in the field of healthcare admin.
For example, the benefits of earning an MHA (Master of Healthcare Administration) are numerous, and they’ll likely unlock plenty more opportunities for you in the long run, as the skills you learn will be highly transferrable, not to mention sought after.
Communication
Good communication is the foundation of healthcare administration roles. If you enjoy both working autonomously and collaborating as part of a larger team of professionals – both of which require excellent communication skills – then you’re already in a good spot.
Communication is a key soft skill that has an important place in healthcare, so it’s worth thinking about the fundamentals (active listening, empathy, perspective, etc.) and taking positive steps to develop them if you want success in this vital part of the healthcare sector.
Technology
Healthcare administrators tend to use a variety of tech tools as part of their everyday responsibilities, and these generally take the form of management systems, data analytics programs, and communication platforms – with many other custom-built systems they need to get used to as well.
Technological confidence is a crucial trait to possess in today’s world, as many employers are on the lookout for those who can quickly settle into a tech-oriented set of processes. Healthcare employers are no different, with tech savviness being a key point to have on a resume.
Experience
Experience requirements can vary drastically from role to role, but the more advanced positions will likely demand that you have demonstrable experience in related fields, or at the very least, areas that require a similar skillset to navigate.
Many candidates enter into healthcare administration from other admin roles in different industries, whereas others make the transition from within the medical setting, for example, from a nurse to a nurse educator.
In any case, healthcare admin relates to hundreds of different roles existing within the system, so don’t be afraid to take a deeper look at your options – you could find a position that suits your existing skillset today and leads to a more rewarding role in the future.