How to become a hospital administrator

A hospital administrator  works to create an environment where medical professionals have the skills and resources they need to monitor and ensure compliance with state and federal healthcare regulation. Their duties differ day to day, and an administrator might specialize depending on their work environment. A hospital administrator typically focuses on the management of staff and patient care.

Examples of an administrator’s duties include:  

• Completing performance reviews for doctors and nurses
• Planning professional development opportunities for hospital staff
• Scheduling the shifts of doctors, nurses, aides and other staff

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health service managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in health administration or a related field, like business administration or nursing. BLS notes, however, that education requirements may vary by employer. While a bachelor’s degree is typical, a master’s degree may be preferred by some hospitals or healthcare facilities. At others, an associate degree may be required or work experience in an administrative role can suffice.

A college degree in health administration can help students learn important business-related topics, such as medical terminology, the fundamentals of electronic health records, healthcare ethics and other necessary work functions. An understanding of how to provide healthcare is important to the position, which can be learned in a healthcare degree program.

Additionally, health services managers are often responsible for the business aspects of the company, such as accounting, budgeting and financial management. Business courses usually teach such skills.

Individuals with work experience and education in nursing or other medical administrative or clinical roles might be able to shift their career path to hospital administration as well. Registered nurses (RN) with experience working as nursing home administrators or other roles, like a medical records specialist or administrative assistant, might have skills that apply to this career path.

BLS reports that some states may require a state-issued license to work in this field. Additionally, some employers may also require that medical services managers be licensed as an RN or a social worker. That said, industry certification may not be a requirement for this role.

Advanced degrees and certifications can help when pursuing higher-level administration positions. For example, a master’s degree in healthcare administration shows a level of knowledge and expertise in your chosen field. This level of expertise can help provide opportunities to take on more responsibilities or higher-level roles in healthcare administration.  

As of May 2023, medical and health services managers earned an annual wage between $67,900 and $216,750 , with a median of $110,690, according to BLS.

This field is expected to grow by an estimated 28%  from 2022 and 2032, a rate much higher than the projected average for all other occupations. An estimated 54,700 jobs will be open each year in medical and health services management. 

Between the possible earnings and the projected growth of the field, aspiring administrators are entering the workforce at an opportune time. 

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2021-2031 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

While education, such as earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in healthcare administration, is helpful, aspiring administrators should also seek out opportunities for on-the-job experience. 

Work experience allows healthcare professionals to use skills learned in a practical setting. The practical application of these skills can lead to increased proficiency and potentially new career opportunities. 

Internships in hospitals, nursing homes and medical clinics are one way to gain valuable work experience. 

Aspiring administrators can also seek out entry-level positions  as administrative assistants, medical billing specialists, nursing assistants and community health workers. These entry-level positions teach valuable skills and provide networking opportunities. 

Administrators need to develop a variety of skills  to succeed in their jobs and best serve

the patients who come to their facilities seeking help. Skills necessary for hospital administration include: 

• Leadership: Hospital administrators work directly with hospital staff, providing performance reviews, guidance and professional development.   
• Communication: Administrators need to communicate with healthcare providers and hospital leadership to provide a top-notch patient experience. 
• Critical thinking: Administrators need to be able to solve problems quickly and effectively. 
• Compassion: Patients are often stressed because they are unwell or unhappy with financial costs among other reasons. Their families might also be stressed. Doctors and nurses are stressed because of the demands of their jobs. Administrators need to be compassionate and kind  to everyone they come across to provide a positive healthcare experience for all involved. 

Each of these skills can be developed through education and relevant work experience. By taking the time to hone these skills, hospital administrators can better serve the hospital staff and patients in their care. 

Networking can be useful for aspiring healthcare administrators, especially when looking for open positions. Many other benefits of networking are well-documented and worth the effort. 

Within the field of healthcare administration, there are plenty of opportunities to develop new skills. There are several ways to upskill, including: 

• Seeking mentorship: Take the time to learn from and develop professional relationships with fellow administrators at a current worksite or area. Learn from their experience.
• Continuing education: Earning certificates and advanced degrees can improve knowledge and skills in healthcare administration. 
• Taking on leadership roles: If a leadership role becomes available, use it as an opportunity to grow as a leader and showcase leadership skills.

Some hospital administrators enhance their careers by specializing in fields such as healthcare information technology. Others pursue high-level executive positions within hospitals, nonprofit organizations and other companies. 

If you’re interested in learning more about a career as a hospital administrator, University of Phoenix (UOPX) has degree programs that can help you learn skills for this career path:

• Bachelor of Science in Health Administration 
• Bachelor of Science in Health Management  
• Master of Health Administration 
• Master of Health Administration with a concentration in Health Care Compliance and Privacy 

Contact a University of Phoenix representative for more information.