Healthcare Careers Healthcare Executive Guide

Healthcare executives and managers have important responsibilities in the medical clinics and facilities where they work. Some of their important tasks include:

• Create plans for delivering quality healthcare services
• Act as health leaders for nursing staff, hospital staff, etc.
• Focus on the business aspects of clinical or hospital facilities so they run smoothly
• Implement goals and objectives with other executives
• Maintain compliance with laws and regulations
• Recruit, train, and supervise their staff
  
• Manage finances such as budgets, billing, and payroll
• Create schedules for staff
• Work with other executives on budgets, financial goals, and strategy
• Represent their facility at board meetings, fundraising events, and more
• Keep records of the facility services and needs
• Manage other healthcare administrators and managers to lead their teams to common goals
• Create and maintain vendor relationships for supplies and other needs
• Work toward a common goal of improved patient care and staff experience

The average salary for medical and healthcare management positions is around $100,000 per year. The bottom 10% of this profession earn around $58,000, while the top 10% earn more than $189,000. There are many factors that determine your salary level, including your specific job title, the location where you work, your years of experience, and your education level.  For example, a clinical healthcare management job may pay less than an executive-level leader in a hospital.

There are many different job titles that fall under the umbrella of healthcare executive. Some of these jobs include: 

• Medical and health services manager
  
• Healthcare administrator
• Hospital administrator
• Nursing home administrator
• Clinical manager
• Health information manager

In order to become a healthcare executive, your education is extremely important. You'll need to begin with a bachelor's degree in healthcare or business to help you be prepared for entry-level roles. You can usually begin to get administration or management positions with a bachelor's degree, but in order to work your way up to more executive roles, you'll need a master's degree. A master's in health leadership can be a perfect option if you want to pursue higher-level positions in healthcare. A master's degree in health leadership will give you important skills in business, finances, strategy, and communication, while also giving you insight into how health systems work, patient-focused strategy, and more. 

Healthcare management and administration roles are expected to grow 32% by the year 2029. This is six times faster than the national average for career growth. The reason this occupation is expected to grow so rapidly is due to continuing healthcare needs. As populations age and continue to live longer, more healthcare professionals are needed to keep facilities and departments organized and well-maintained. Growing technology, new facilities, and more focus on healthcare will also continue to contribute to the explosive growth of this field.