What Can You Do With A Health Management Degree?

careers in health management

With a degree in health management, you can make a difference in people’s lives every single day. If you have an interest in working for the healthcare system, then you should seriously consider earning a degree in health management. Health management careers will never be in short supply, because the healthcare industry is constantly expanding. This article explores career areas in which people with health management degrees often work, how to go about getting a health management degree, and what sorts of careers you can expect to qualify for once you earn your degree in health management.

Where Can You Work with a Health Management Degree?

A health management degree can prepare you to work in a variety of environments. Healthcare is one of the most important industries in today’s society, what with doctors and research experts constantly searching for cures for various types of cancer, AIDS, and other diseases that more and more people are facing every day. With a degree in health management, you could qualify for careers in any of the fields listed below.

Rehabilitation centers

Hospitals

Health clinics

Mental health facilities

Nursing homes

Health insurance agencies

How Can You Get a Health Management Degree?

Once you decide that you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, you should start looking for universities and colleges with noteworthy health management programs that contain excellent resources for both lecture and hands-on experience so that you’re able to earn a well-rounded education. Consult your high school guidance counselor for ideas on how you can prepare for higher education in healthcare while you are still in high school, and you can always ask him or her for help in applying to schools that best suit your career goals.

Concordia University in Irvine, CA, offers a healthcare management major that enhances students’ potential to become some of the best leaders in healthcare. Earning a bachelors degree in healthcare management from Concordia University gives students the confidence they need to enter the world of healthcare by exposing students to knowledge and experience in the ever-changing field. Internships and professional coaching are also huge parts of what helps shape the knowledge and experience that students receive to qualify for positions in the healthcare industry.

With seven locations in Nebraska alone, Bellevue University offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. Students will gain increased leadership abilities, business skills, and more all while learning the ins and outs of the healthcare industry. Educators at Bellevue University prepare their students for careers in wellness, public health, and other healthcare career paths. Bellevue provides students with both in-class and online learning experiences, with most in-class lessons occurring between the hours of 6 to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, a perfect design for students who work part- or full-time during the day. Graduate students can explore a variety of masters programs to further expand their knowledge, including but not limited to a Masters of Healthcare Innovation and a Masters of Healthcare Administration.

Southern New Hampshire University’s online degree program for a Bachelors of Science in Healthcare Management is also a viable option available to anyone wanting to get into the health management field. SNHU is an accredited and nonprofit higher education facility with a healthcare management degree program that offers courses that expand students’ knowledge of the business world and how it applies to the healthcare industry, as well. Its faculty are also highly educated and provide education based on the knowledge they have gained through their own experience in the healthcare industry. In addition to the bachelors degree program, students can choose to further their education by earning a Master of Science Management in Healthcare Administration or Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management online among other advanced degree options.

What Careers Can You Get with a Health Management Degree?

Before graduating from an accredited college or university program, it is important that you explore career options available in the field of healthcare. In this section, you will find a few examples of career options you may qualify for once you earn your degree in health management.

Entry Level Careers in Health Management

Upon earning your bachelors degree in healthcare management and gaining experience through an internship within the healthcare field, you may find that you qualify for one or more of the positions described below.

Health Insurance Sales Representative

careers with health management degree program

A health insurance sales representative consults with individuals and businesses to discuss coverage options his or her company offers to those who are in search of reliable and affordable health insurance policies. Health insurance sales representatives are schooled in the latest healthcare issues as well as specifics of each type of coverage plan their companies offer in order to help people choose which plans work best for them. Management and organizational skills are handy for these sales representatives who possess excellent communication skills in order to best describe and assure customers that they are getting the most for their money.

Health insurance sales representatives can earn around $45,000 annually, depending on education and experience levels.

Medical Records Manager

Medical records managers ensure the accuracy and confidentiality of individual medical records in health care facilities such as hospitals and clinics, and they also oversee staff members of the medical records department to confirm that each person is performing quality service within and for the department. Medical records managers have excellent organizational and leadership skills as well as great written and verbal communication skills in order to remain in contact with patients to make sure that their records remain up-to-date. Previous management experience is beneficial, though not always necessary. Medical records managers typically have bachelor degrees in health services, healthcare management, or other related subjects in the healthcare industry.

Medical records managers can earn around $50,000 annually, depending on education and experience levels.

Health Insurance Underwriter

Health insurance underwriters assess calculate risks by use of special equipment for individuals or groups in search of insurance policies to determine what policy is most suitable for potential clients. They put together potential premiums and determine whether individuals or groups are denied or accepted for coverage based on the calculated risks. In order to be accepted for an entry level position as a health insurance underwriter, you should possess a bachelors degree in either finance, business, or in some cases health management with a concentration in either mathematics, finance, or business. Strong mathematical and analytical skills are necessary to effectively perform the job of a health insurance underwriter.

Health insurance underwriters can earn around $60,000 annually, based on education and training.

Advanced Careers in Health Management

Once you earn your masters degree or doctoral degree in health management or if you’ve gained a significant amount of experience with your undergraduate degree, you could qualify for one or both of the positions described here.

Hospice Case Manager

Hospice case managers see that patients and their families receive the best care possible while their patients are suffering from terminal illnesses. They are often in charge of organizing a team of specialists to care for a specific patient, including spiritual advisors, in-home caregivers, and others to make the patient’s last weeks as comfortable as possible. Hospice case managers go through extensive training upon completion of a masters degree in health management, social work, experience as a registered nurse, or other related subjects within the field of healthcare.

Hospice case managers can earn around $51,000 annually, depending on their education and experience levels.

Nursing Home Administrator

Nursing home administrators take charge of ensuring that residents receive top quality care by reliable and personable staff members. In many cases, they often handle finances, monitor medical supplies to make sure they are always fully stocked, and when necessary provide medical care to residents. A bachelors degree in health management or business management with a concentration in another field in the healthcare industry are a must; and although many facilities prefer individuals with master degrees in health administration or health management, some of them strictly require these master degrees. Nursing home administrators are personable and possess excellent skills in finances and leadership.

Nursing home administrators can earn around $85,000 annually, depending on their education and experience levels within the healthcare industry.

Companies that Hire People with Health Management Degrees

After graduating from a higher education facility, it is time to enter the job market. If you do not get a job through your internship, there are still many options for you to choose from in the healthcare industry. With the industry growing so rapidly, companies around the world look to employ people with health management degrees regularly.

Blue Cross Blue Shield – health insurance agency; hires positions for project management directors, information management directors, associate consultants, executive consultants, etc.

Amedisys, Inc. – headquarters in Baton Rouge, LA; home and hospice care service; hires positions for hospice case managers, clinical managers, medical social workers, etc.

Seasons Healthcare Management – locations throughout the U.S.; home and hospice care service; hires positions for volunteer services managers, directors of business operations, team directors, admissions coordinators, hospice medical directors, etc.

Highmark – based out of Pittsburgh, PA; largest health insurer in PA; hires positions for underwriters, sales representatives, etc.

Health care will always be a necessary part of living a healthy, successful life, so the need for healthcare professionals will never diminish. Earning a degree in health management can help you help people stay healthy and fit so that they are able to live life to the fullest, to enjoy the little things that make life worth living. Make a difference in someone’s life; become an expert in health management.