Healthcare organizations depend on strong leadership to keep operations running smoothly and ensure patients receive the best care possible. Health services administrators, sometimes called healthcare administrators or healthcare managers, handle the business, organizational, and management side of healthcare.
If you want a career that blends leadership, problem-solving, and healthcare, becoming a health services administrator could be the right path for you.
What Does a Health Services Administrator Do?
Health services administrators manage the business side of healthcare facilities. While they do not provide direct patient care, they make sure services are delivered effectively and patients have a positive experience.
Common responsibilities include:
- Managing finances: Budgets, reports, and resources
- Planning strategy: Setting goals and tracking progress
- Ensuring compliance: Policies, safety, and accreditation
- Supervising staff: Hiring, training, and scheduling
- Overseeing operations: Facilities, equipment, and technology
- Supporting patient care: Improving coordination between teams
They ensure healthcare organizations operate efficiently and provide patients with the care they need.
Salary and Career Opportunities
Health services administrators are well-compensated and enjoy a wide range of career paths. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical and health services managers earned a median salary of $110,680 in 2023, with the top earners making more than $200,000.
The flexibility of this role means you can work in hospitals, long-term care, consulting, government, or education, depending on your interests and career goals.
How to Become a Health Services Administrator
Most professionals in this field start with a strong foundation in both healthcare and management. Here are the common steps:
- Earn a degree in health services administration
- A bachelor’s degree may qualify you for entry-level roles, but a master’s degree is the preferred credential for leadership and executive positions.
- Develop key skills
- Successful administrators are skilled in leadership, healthcare finance, strategic planning, policy, and compliance. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities are also essential.
- Gain experience
- Internships, residencies, or entry-level jobs in healthcare organizations provide practical knowledge and prepare you for advancement.
- Consider certifications
- Earning certifications such as the Certified Medical Manager (CMM) or Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) can help you stand out.
What Do You Learn in a Health Services Administration Master’s Program?
A Master’s in Health Services Administration prepares you for leadership roles in healthcare by combining classroom instruction with real-world application. The curriculum gives you the knowledge and skills needed to manage people, resources, and policies effectively.
Key areas of study include:
- Healthcare finance: Budgeting, financial analysis, reimbursement systems, and long-term planning.
- Health policy and advocacy: Understanding regulations, promoting patient rights, and ensuring access to care.
- Leadership and management: Developing strategies, motivating teams, and guiding organizational change.
- Quality and patient safety: Using data and best practices to improve outcomes and reduce risks.
- Healthcare technology: Learning about informatics, telehealth, and emerging tools that shape modern healthcare.
- Human resources: Recruiting, training, and building a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
- Healthcare law and ethics: Navigating compliance, confidentiality, and ethical decision-making.
Most programs also include a capstone project, where you apply everything you’ve learned to a real-world challenge in healthcare administration. This final project helps you graduate with confidence and practical experience.
Start Your Path in Health Services Administration
Health services administration is a career for those who want to lead, solve problems, and make a lasting impact on healthcare. With opportunities across hospitals, long-term care, clinics, government, and beyond, you can shape a career path that matches your strengths and goals.
Earning a master’s degree gives you the knowledge and confidence to take on leadership roles, support your community, and make a meaningful difference in how healthcare is delivered.
Eager to Learn More?
The Master of Health Services Administration program provides high-quality professional education to assist executives and prepare the new generation of healthcare professionals to be part of leading positions in the healthcare industry’s administration, management, and planning in either the public or private sector.
If you are interested in being a Health Services Administrator, let Florida National University answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to learn more about our Health Services Administration programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Services Administration
What does a health services administrator do?
They manage the business and leadership side of healthcare, including finances, staff, compliance, operations, and patient care coordination.
Do I need a master’s degree to become a health services administrator?
While some entry-level roles may be available with a bachelor’s degree, most leadership positions require a master’s degree in health services administration or a related field.
What skills are important for health services administrators?
Strong leadership, financial management, communication, problem-solving, and knowledge of healthcare laws and policies are essential.
Where can health services administrators work?
They can work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, government agencies, consulting firms, and universities.
How much does a health services administrator earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $110,680 in 2023, with top earners making more than $200,000.
Is healthcare administration the same as health services administration?
Yes. The terms are often used interchangeably to describe professionals who oversee the operations and management of healthcare organizations.
