How to Transition Your Career into Healthcare Management

Healthcare is a booming business, and it’s also one of the most stable options out there. While many other sectors are experiencing a slowdown, healthcare is still expected to grow by 16% by the end of the decade. This is significantly faster than the nationwide average, and it’s entirely down to the aging population. Add in the rise of telehealth, and you start to see just why healthcare needs more healthcare administrators than ever before.

You may already work in healthcare as a nurse or orderly. You may work as a manager in the private sector and want to transition into more meaningful work. Regardless of what point you’re starting at, this guide will help you steer your way to your goal:

Earn the Healthcare Administrative Degree

Successfully managing a clinic, department, unit, or even hospital is far different than many other sectors. You cannot just jump in blind and expect everything to work out. People’s lives are at stake, and yes, your ability to properly manage a healthcare team and provide administrative support can genuinely mean the difference between life and death. That’s why you’ll want to earn an online MHA. Online degrees are fast to achieve (in this case, around 18 months) and will prepare you for everything you need, from financial know-how to marketing all the way to strategic planning.

Start Applying for Lower-Level Jobs

There are many lower-level jobs in an administration that you may be able to apply for while you’re earning your degree. If not, working your way up into a top-tier management position is standard practice. Even if you have a degree, after all, you will still need to learn how your workplace itself operates before you can go about making suggestions for improvement.

Networking

Like all job roles, your career in healthcare administration will be greatly improved by networking. There are many different ways that you can get started with this. For example, there are professional organizations that work to host events specifically for healthcare administrators to meet and greet. Other ways you can network include one-on-one or even online. When it comes to successfully networking, remember to try to do something for the other person first. This builds up the relationship more naturally.

Career Hopping

You want to build up a lot of experience in many different locations. This way, you’ll not only learn about different management styles first-hand, but you’ll also be more adaptable. Someone who can successfully manage all types of units or workplaces will be more valuable than someone who’s only ever worked in one location. That’s why every two years or so (basically until you feel like you’ve learned everything), it’s a good idea to change roles. You can even use that opportunity to fetch yourself a higher-level role that will keep letting you learn.

Lifelong Learning

Think you’ll finish your degree and be done? Think again. You’ll want to invest time and energy in staying updated on the news, the latest thinking, and the latest technologies. Read, attend conferences and workshops, and even consider how you can add your two cents into the mix as well. This is how you’ll establish a glowing career in management.