The finance coursework will vary by program. In addition, there are generally some elective courses you can take to further your finance knowledge. Here are some courses that you will usually find in any MHA program.

10 Questions for Your MHA Degree

1.) Healthcare finance

In this course, MHA students will have the chance to learn more about the general financial structure of health care in the United States. This can include learning about different insurance programs, both private and public, and the impact they have on the health care economy. They might also learned about how the economy of health care affects local and national policy. MHA students also learn about the different tools used to analyze health care finance.

2.) Health care entrepreneurship

While this class is certainly not offered in all programs, it is offered at many, at least as an elective course. This course looks at innovative ways to solve a health care problem in a way that is cost-effective or profitable. Students can look at case studies of current health care innovations. In some classes students work on an independent project so if you have a great idea for a health care innovation, this would be a good class for you. An understanding of or background in business is often helpful in a course like this one.

3.) Health care and the economy

This course typically looks at America’s health care system and the broader effect it has on the economy. Sometimes students can do comparison studies by learning about the way health care impacts the economy’s of other countries, specifically those countries where healthcare is funded differently.

4.) Healthcare statistics

Depending on the nature of your MHA degree program, this course could be focused on more general statistics or could require a higher level of statistical knowledge. Generally, the course will cover statistical analysis, and using different tools to process and understand the data. It will be focused, however, on the healthcare field and will use specific examples relating to the industry.

5.) General finance courses

Some MHA degree programs will have math or economics requirement as part of the admissions process; check with the specific programs for details. If you feel you need additional classes or want to have a better understand of general finance, your program can direct you to additional classes within the university.

Getting an Internship in Health Administration

Pursuing an MHA will definitely require some finance courses. Even if you don’t typically excel at math, don’t let that concern you. These finance courses will be directly related to your future career and will use real-life examples which makes learning more interesting. You’ll find that they complement your other courses and will prepare you for a great career in healthcare administration.

About the Career

There are several characteristics that someone should have when pursuing a career in an elder care setting. They should have compassion and patience. They should also be a good listener and communicator since many elderly patients are dealing with hearing loss.

Since dementia and memory loss is also an issue for patients in these settings, it helps to have some knowledge or experience in working with this population; some of your MHA coursework might address these issues or you can pursue continuing education courses to address this.

Search: Nursing Home Jobs

Many administrators work closely with families who are placing their loved ones in the case of the facility; being able to work closely with the whole family as a team is essential. The most important quality is the ability to put the residents first. There are several settings in which you can use your MHA to help the elderly.

The field of nursing home administration allows you to be involved in a variety of different tasks, including  hiring and supervising key staff such as department managers. Creating and managing the budget is a large part of an administrator’s job and one of the most important tasks. In completing these tasks, it’s important to have great communication skills, as well as a desire to help the residents in the facility. To be a nursing home administrator, an MHA degree is key, especially in larger facilities. In addition, you will need a license.

Licensure

Licensure requirements vary by state, and many licensure programs can be found as an option within the MHA programs. Some of the courses that you may take involving nursing home administration are gerontology, psychology, and epidemiology. In addition, taking courses regarding insurance, as well as several finance courses, will help you be a well-rounded administrator. Many nursing home administration positions require that you have had an internship or fellowship during or after your MHA program. There are also Administrator-in-training positions that will allow you to gain experience before managing your own facility.

Search: Nursing Home Jobs

Work Settings

In addition to managing a nursing home, there are a variety of other settings that may interest you if you want a career in aging services. You can work with an assisted living facility, which offers residents a variety of health and human services while allowing them to maintain independent living spaces. Also, there are job opportunities within senior communities which allow residents to have independent housing while maintaining a community centered around seniors as they age.

Finally, many large medical institutions have services and departments geared towards the elderly; being a department director in one of these institutions is another career option for those with an MHA.  Regardless of the setting you choose to work in, the field is growing and your career opportunities as an MHA graduate will be plentiful.

Getting your MHA degree involves completing your coursework and typically includes an internship or apprenticeship. In addition to these requirements,, some students apply for an Administrator-in-Training position to gain more experience in the field of health administration before embarking on their own career path.

About Training Programs

An Adminstrator-in-Training program is usually very structured, although it can vary depending on the facility and the person you train with. Generally speaking, this type of program gives you the chance to partner with a current health administrator to receive hands-on instruction and advice on the day-to-day management of a department or entire facility.

Requirements

Most Administrator-in-Training programs involve at least 1,000 hours of time spent in the facility. Some of these programs are rotational, so you would spend a number of weeks in different departments. These departments can include finance, human relations, nursing, or administration. In each department you would work with the department management to better understand how the department functions and what role a health administrator would play in relation to that department. In other programs, you would spend the majority of your time directly with the administrator you are following and your schedule would vary, though you would still get to spend some time learning about the different departments.

Advantages

There are several advantages to completing an Administrator-in-Training program. Besides the major experience you will have, many of the programs pay you for your time spent with them. Since these programs can often be six months long, the money will make it so you can dedicate yourself to this program full-time.

Additionally, you will get to know the administrator you work with very well, and he or she can act as a reference for you, and help you get other jobs in the field. You may also get to know others in management areas. Finally, completing a program like this will help you to realize what kind of job you would like to pursue with your MHA degree, and what you like and don’t like about working in a particular setting.

Getting in a Training Program

Many of these programs can be competitive, as not all hospitals and other facilities have them. To compete for one of these positions, you will want to make sure you have great grades in your MHA coursework, positive references from your professors or others you have worked with, as well as an internship or volunteer work in the field. Before you go into the interview for one of these positions, you should do research into the company and be prepared to show how the program suits your specific needs and interests. You also want to show the facility what skills you can bring to them through the training program.

If you are having trouble securing one of these positions, there are some things you can do. Reach out to administrators in your area and ask to meet with them. Bring your resume and talk with them about why you want to participate and why you want to work at their facility. If the facility does not have a formal Administrator-in-Training program, they may still be willing to take you on board for a certain period of time.

Search Health Administration Jobs

In this case, you can work directly with the administrator to structure the experience in a way that works for both of you; sometimes this can even be better than a structured program, as it allows you to make it to suit your specific interests. If that doesn’t work, simply ask if you can shadow the administrator for a couple of days as he or she goes about their daily tasks and meetings. This will at least give you a brief insight, and if you do this with several companies you can get a broader picture of the industry.

However you go about doing it, it is helpful to get some first-hand experience in the field before starting your own career; Administrator-in-Training programs are a good way to start.

1. Chief Nursing Officer

A nursing officer is able to work at many levels within in the system with the lowest being an assistant manager and the highest a vice president or chief nursing officer.  Nursing officers overlook finances and make sure the business is all working consistently. They make sure the staff is all in order and that the patients are happy with the services being provided. Being a nursing officer takes great leadership, a lot of time and a lot of energy.

2. Health Information Management

Administrators in information management also have a few levels that they can begin at and work their way up to. They take care of a lot of the computer systems and patient records. Making sure records are properly shown only to those allowed to be viewing them and that they are completed correctly. All medical and health care information shared with hospital personnel must be up to date and meet all standards.

3. Human Resource Management

Human resource managements are in charge of bringing in some of the top physicians and surgeons into hospitals. They want to make sure that they have the best people working for them and providing for their patients. They direct, train, manage and keep very high standards. Managers want to keep up with hospital regulations  and manage the staff by their skills and their pay.

4. Medical Office Management

Medical office managers are mainly in charge of seeing that everything is running smoothly. They need to have knowledge of every department and be very flexible. Managers must be organized and efficient because they have to take care and watch over all parts of a hospital or clinic. Also a part of the job description is taking care of orders, making office procedures and looking for way to save money for the hospital or clinic.

5. Home Health Care Administration

Home health care administration is going to be a big thing in future. Hospitals spend a lot of money having people stay overnight or for long periods of time. By going to peoples homes they are saving costs but still taking care of their patients. Administrators make sure that all patients have someone visiting and taking care of their needs and that all staff and business runs efficiently.

These are just a few examples of health administration types of jobs. There are many more and most have options to move up in your career. It is a field that will always be growing, expanding, and in need of help.  If you want to be a part of the hospital or clinic type setting but behind the scenes of doctors, nurses,  and surgeons this is definitely a great field to get into.

Although much of the accomplishment is due to alumni participation, there is no doubt these excellent programs had an impact on the ways alumni choose to stay connected.  We are proud of these programs for maintaining some of the highest academic standards, while still finding time to allow open communication with students, alumni, and the public.  We expanded the 2013 List to 25 schools, with a description of the top 10.  Our 2012 list was extremely successful and we look forward to any questions or concerns with this list.

Our list was developed based off of a standard formula.  This formula took into account the number of participating alumni in the programs alumni Linkedin Group, whether the program had a dedicated Alumni Association for MHA Graduates, dedicated Alumni Website, dedicated Alumni Newsletter, and a Alumni Facebook Group.  The sole requirement for this list was a dedicated Linkedin Alumni Group.  We sorted through numerous programs and developed a formula for these rankings.  Primarily, a large Linkedin Alumni Group ensured a listing, but some programs beat other larger groups due to newsletters and websites for alumni.For more detailed information, or if you would like to submit your school for next year’s list, please contact us.

If you are looking to start your career in Healthcare Administration, then you need a Linkedin account.  You can always look through our Internship Job Board or our Career Job Board for actual positions.  For now, here are a few benefits of becoming a LinkedIn member.

1. Career Builder

This networking site allows you to build a broad public profile. You are able to show of more of your skills, accomplishments, past and present work and market yourself for future jobs. LinkedIn allows you to personalize all your information in a resume template that will promote you and your talents. It is available for individuals, businesses and organizations.

2. Marketing and Ads

LinkedIn allows you to promote yourself to certain businesses depending on your skills. If you are great with accounting, but also great at sales each job category looking will only be seeing that part of your profile to enhance each ability. You are also able to market yourself by gaining contacts and recommendations, giving you more of an advantage over others.

3. Groups

There is an infinite number of groups available to LinkedIn members. These groups are actually more like forums and are able to communicate on any type of business and stay up to date with what is new in the field. Groups allow you to make new contacts and find out about issues within the field, new advancements and new opportunities.

4. Mobile App

This new development was almost a must for the company. Every networking site has its own app and LinkedIn is just showing how much they are improving and moving forward with technology. This app allows you to connect from wherever you are and not miss the next job opportunity or new events coming up.

5.Events

They are a little newer to the networking site but still very useful. LinkedIn events let members share upcoming gatherings, shows or meetings. These are usually formed in groups between members with the same interest. These events help develop a larger community within each job category.

6. Search Tool

Also new to the site the search tool is creating more and more opportunities for people and their businesses. You are able to find jobs, people, certain companies, or you could even find yourself. It is able to start giving you options to choose from before you have even finished typing your complete search topic. After you have used it a couple time it learns what is more relevant to you and your searches.

Even with this list of benefits there are so much more positives to LinkedIn. As time goes by you will gain respect, contacts, connections and become more apart of your own community and field. LinkedIn is definitely one of the best businesses and networking sites around, you will not regret becoming apart of the community when it comes to furthering your career.

Starting Your Search

Getting an internship is health administration isn’t always easy. To start with you can look to your university’s career center. Call or email alumni working in the field to ask for advice on securing an internship. Search websites dedicated to health careers, as well as the job listings on specific websites of companies you would like to work for. Internmatch.com is a website with thousands of internships in a variety of fields, including health administration.

Alternative to Internships

If you are struggling to find an internship that meets your interests and qualifications, there are some alternatives. Volunteering with a hospital or other healthcare  facility will often get you the same experience as an internship, and can sometimes be more flexible. Many healthcare facilities have specific volunteer opportunities in different departments; check out their websites or call the volunteer coordinator to find out more. If, however, you don’t see an opportunity that will give you the health administration  experience you are looking for, you can often create your own volunteer opportunity.

Contact the person in charge and be specific about what you can offer, including your education from your health administration courses. Let them know when and for how long you can commit to volunteering. Many facilities will be excited to have someone who is either taking coursework in or has completed an MHA volunteering for them. They might have special projects that you can work on. Volunteering can still give you the professional references as an internship, as well as the experience in a healthcare setting. You can check with your university to see if, and how, your volunteer experience can be made into an internship.

Always Contact Someone

Additionally, if a facility does not have any internships listed, it doesn’t mean they are not open to having someone in an MHA program intern for them. Contact the person in charge of the specific department you would like to work in and let them know you would be interested in interning with their company. Again, share what you can bring to the company based on your coursework and let them know how long you are interested in interning. If there is anyone from the company who is a graduate of your MHA program, you may be able to intern directly with them, and structure something tailored to your personal career path in health administration.

Finally, some health administration internships are for those still in school, while others are for recent MHA gradutes. Some are full-time while others are only part-time. It’s helpful to think about at what point in your MPH studies you’d like to pursue an internship, and plan accordingly. With some advance preparation and flexibility, you can obtain a successful internship that will further your career in health administration.  See our Internship Job Board for Your Next Internship!

The number one thing to keep in mind while researching schools for the Healthcare Administration field is school accreditation. Students should make sure the school they select is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). CAHME is the only accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education for health services administration programs, so this is extremely important. Being accredited by CAHME will ensure that the curriculum provides all of the tools and skills necessary to become educated to work in a career as a healthcare administrator. Most hiring managers will want their employees to come from schools with CAHME accreditation.

Most Master’s degree programs last between two and three years. However, depending upon your background, you will want to select a program that will cater to your specific situation and career goals. For instance, if a student that does not have healthcare experience when starting the educational program will want to make sure that the program selected has an internship or fellowship requirement that will provide the experience needed in order to land a job. If a prospective student already has a healthcare background, they will want to find an Executive Masters of Healthcare Administration program which will provide a condensed and accelerated program designed for individuals who are already working in Healthcare Administration.

While looking into an educational program, it is important for a student to know what kind of education and experience they are looking to gain. There are generally three types of programs available. The first type is one that offers course work and practice. These programs are typically available at schools that specialize in health or medicine. These programs primarily focus on the student obtaining practical experience in the field, which is a huge plus when applying for positions in the real world. The second type of program is one in which the focus is placed more on the areas of business and public health.

In these programs the curriculum is primarily based on theory and analysis and these programs do not typically offer hands-on practice. If you chose to go this route and do not have previous healthcare experience, it will be very important to make sure you will participate in an internship or fellowship that will provide the hands on experience needed to find a position in the field. Lastly, the third type of program generally available is one that offers a blended curriculum that allows students to take part of their courses online. This type of program is perfect for those who will be working while they are pursuing their degree.

Another program option to consider when selecting a program is whether or not to specialize. Some schools offer the option of specializing in the management of a specific type of facility, such as nursing care, hospitals or mental health facilities. This is a great option for students who have a specific direction in mind. The majority of programs available offer students a broader view and provide education in the management of a wide range of facilities.

Lastly, another option to consider is the type of program that offers a combination of two degree programs merged into one. Some examples would be combining Health Services Administration and Business Administration, or combining Health Organization Management with the Health Services Administration. Depending upon the program, both degrees might be completed at the same time or one degree first and the other is completed shortly thereafter.

Entering a Master’s program is a big decision. A student should put some thought into what it is they are trying to accomplish and make sure the program that they select will provide the intended result.

Tip #1 – Ensure Healthcare Administration is the right career choice

Before making a quick decision to go into Healthcare Administration, it’s wise to make sure this is the right choice for you. Does it fit with your personality? Will you be doing the kind of work that you will enjoy? People who have become successful in the field of Healthcare Administration are typically good communicators who enjoy working with people. Healthcare Administrators are leaders, not followers. They have a solid understanding of healthcare and business and enjoy solving complex and challenging problems.

In addition, working with technology is a necessity in this field, as is having good organizing and prioritizing skills. In a nutshell, daily work will include using technology, communicating, using good business sense and having a strong knowledge of the healthcare industry to ensure that the organization you are working for can deliver outstanding medical care to its clients. If this sounds interesting and enjoyable to you, then a career in Healthcare Administration is a good choice.

Tip #2 – Spend some time researching the field of Healthcare Administration

Once you have decided to pursue this career choice, the first step to take is to start researching Healthcare Administration. Conducting some research will provide a good understanding of the field and will also help to provide knowledge about the many different types of jobs available. Once you are familiar with the different types of jobs available, you will have an idea as to the level of education that they will require, and the level of education you will need to pursue.

Researching the field may also help to narrow things down a bit by finding an area of specialization that may be of interest to you. The more you know about the field, the better choices you will be able to make in planning for your future.

Tip #3 – Start planning as early as possible

While researching will provide a wealth of information and ensure that you have made a solid decision, planning in advance is equally important. As you will find in your research, a good education will be a critical component to creating a solid foundation for a career in Healthcare Administration.

It is important to maintain a good academic record and prepare for placement tests in an effort to score as high as possible. These steps will ensure you have good options for college acceptance. To understand scoring on the SAT, ACT and GRE exams you can take a look at the following links: http://www.princetonreview.com/college/good-sat-score-act-score.aspx, https://www.ets.org/gre/.

Tip #4 – Obtain an Education

As in most fields, a college education is the key to success. While some jobs in Healthcare Administration only require a Bachelor degree, most require at least a Master’s degree and more and more jobs these days require a Doctorate. When looking for a college to attend, students interested in Healthcare Administration should look for a school that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health care Management Education (CAHME).

If you are currently working and looking to make a career change, a graduate program in Healthcare Administration would be a great option. More information on CAHME can be found here http://www.cahme.org/. Another helpful site is the Association of University Programs in Health Administration which can be found here: www.aupha.org.

Tip #5 – Join a Professional Association

Once you have obtained a solid education, it would serve you well to join a professional association. One such association is the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Memberships are available to students who can join as student associates. A membership in ACHE will provide a wealth of information about the field and may help in landing that first job.

ACHE provides resume services, offers an online job bank where you can post your resume’, provides information about continuing education and will keep you up to date on what is happening in the field. To further understand how ACHE can help, take a look at their website: http://www.ache.org/.

Healthcare Administration is a great field for the right person. With research, planning, education and a good job opportunity, you will be on your way to a very satisfying and fulfilling career. Good luck!

]]> http://mhaguide.com/five-suggestions-for-starting-a-career-in-healthcare-administration/feed/ 0 http://mhaguide.com/five-suggestions-for-starting-a-career-in-healthcare-administration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=five-suggestions-for-starting-a-career-in-healthcare-administration http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MhaGuideBlog/~3/1LBSIoklKwI/ http://mhaguide.com/new-list-2013-top-10-online-mha-degrees/#comments Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:01:46 +0000 admin http://mhaguide.com/?p=2274 As discussed in an earlier post, MHA Guide is formulating and publishing numerous 2013 lists.  Yesterday, we published the 2013 Top 10 Online MHA Degrees.  This list was compiled based off of the US News rankings to provide students with the top MHA Degrees being offered online.  In this list, we included programs in which the majority of interaction is online and some programs may be Executive in nature.

Pursuing an MHA Degree is becoming much more accessible and these programs have worked hard to open up their opportunities to students who could not otherwise attend those schools.  Online education is perfect for people currently working and people not interested in attending school in a different state.

We will continue to put together these lists so students have the opportunity to evaluate MHA programs with multiple tools.  It is always a tough decision, but MHA Guide is here to deliver you the best information possible.