What is Healthcare Administration?
Health administration is a great career for those interested in managing healthcare systems to improve community health. Responsibilities include coordinating services, establishing educational programs, ensuring compliance with healthcare policies, supervising staff, and managing financial performance.
Hospital, hospital system, or other organization health services are managed by healthcare administrators. The facilities and services manager may assist with a variety of programs, manage staff, work with other organizations, and manage budgets, depending on the type and size of the company.
Physicians and clinicians have daily contact with patients, but healthcare managers and administrators typically do not. As leaders in many health-related organizations, they shape policy and make necessary changes to health care systems.
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Online Healthcare Administration Education in Arizona
Online Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration (BSHCA)
Most employers require candidates have, at minimum, a BS degree in health administration, business administration, or a related field. While a master’s degree will likely be necessary to qualify for higher paying positions with more responsibilities in the future, many entry-level jobs don’t require it.
Arizona is home to a number of great health administration programs, but titles can vary from school to school. Potential degree titles include:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Healthcare Management Concentration
- Bachelor of Arts in Global Health
- Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Undergraduate programs all differ slightly, but are generally healthcare admin programs made up of 120 credit hours of coursework. While most are designed to be completed over a four-year period, this timeframe can be lengthened or shortened depending on circumstances. For students who have college credits from taking upper-level high school classes or credits earned from an associate degree, it’s often possible to graduate early. Conversely, working students or those who opt to complete additional coursework may require more time to finish the program.
It’s not uncommon for course titles and offerings to change, but most health administration students should expect to take classes like:
- Legal Issues in Health Care: Regulation and Compliance
- Facility Planning
- Health Care Policy
- Risk Management
- Health Care Legal and Ethical Issues
- Project Planning and Implementation in Health Care
- Systems Analysis and Design
- Database Concepts
- Health Care Finance and Accounting
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Principles of Health Education and Health Promotion
- Health Care in the United States
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- Health Education Intervention Methods
- Contemporary Community Health Problems
- Labor and Employee Relations
- Application of Health Promotion
- Health Care Law
- Community Health
It’s important to note that there are a wide variety of online programs available in Arizona. This is a completely practical method of earning an undergraduate degree in the field. National Rankings - top 25 online bachelors programs
Online Master's (MHA)
Health administration professionals with a bachelor's degree may qualify for entry-level jobs, but an online master's in healthcare administration is often preferred for advanced positions. Many work in the field before deciding to specialize in areas like public health, informatics, management, marketing, or communications. Arizona's online master's programs typically offer various concentrations, and graduate degree holders often receive hiring preference and higher salaries.
Program titles will vary, but some of the most prominent ones in Arizona include:
- Master of Health Administration
- Master of Health Administration / Gerontology
- Master of Health Administration / Informatics
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Public Health
Master of Health Administration programs typically require 30-60 credit hours and are designed to be completed in two years, though part-time attendance or extensive requirements may extend this timeline. Some programs offer fast-track options for those with relevant experience or transfer credits. Additionally, many MBA programs offer concentrations in healthcare administration, management, or marketing, and dual MBA programs pair well with degrees in Healthcare Administration, Informatics, Public Health, or Healthcare Management, enhancing career prospects.
The courses offered vary from institute to institute, but students should expect class titles like:
- Strategic Health Care Marketing
- Advanced Health Services Administration
- Health Care Economics
- Health Care Quality and Safety
- Understanding and Managing Human Differences
- Applications in Training and Development
- Management Information Technology
- Health Care Licensing and Accreditation
- Network and Telecommunications Concepts
- Information Systems Risk Management in Health Care National Rankings - top 25 online masters programs
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Careers and Salary Outlook
Salary and Earnings Potential
Because the job of a health administrator is so multifaceted and demanding, the profession tends to pay quite well. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers in the top 10% of the 2023 pay scale made median salaries of above $216,000. Even the lowest 10% earned a median salary of $67,900.
Location has a lot to do with this large difference in pay. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that New York, DC, Delaware, and New Jersey were the highest paying states for medical and health services managers; though Arizona does offer very competitive wages within the field. With an average yearly salary of $135,310 and a mean hourly rate of $65.05, professionals can expect a positive salary outlook.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona employed a total of 10,530 health administrators in the year 2023. Many positions available were located in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Tucson. This makes sense, as most metropolitan areas have bigger populations requiring medical service. Flagstaff and Prescott also have a decent number of employment opportunities.
Career Options
Arizona may not employ as many healthcare administrators as other states, but job prospects remain strong. The state's healthcare sector has a history of steady growth, even during the 2008 recession, and continues to expand, with consistent job additions in education and health services, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Although not state-specific, the Bureau of Labor Statistics also predicts that medical and health care service managers will see a 29% increase in employment between 2023 and 2033. This is due, in large part, to the aging baby-boomer population. As they continue to grow older, there will be significantly greater demand for healthcare services nationwide. This projected increase is higher than most other professions and indicates that future job prospects for health administrators will be promising.
Smaller practices are increasingly offering services once limited to hospitals, creating a growing demand for health administrators skilled in managing these facilities and advancing technologies. Compared to other occupations, health administrators can expect this field to grow much faster, in Arizona and otherwise. Professionals with higher-level degrees and specific training in health information technology, electronic health records, and informatics systems will be in a particularly favorable hiring position.
While jobs opportunities in the health administration field in Arizona change regularly, here is a small sampling of postings collected:
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Director of Cardiovascular Services
Responsible for providing overall direction to the division by working cooperatively with staff, maintaining professional behavior standards, teaching and counseling others, preparing schedules, and managing the department in compliance with hospital policies and procedures.
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Director of Risk Management
Responsible for all risk management activities, including coordinating insurance coverage, managing claims, assigning and directing defense counsels, administering a risk management program daily, managing education programs, and analyzing data. Master’s Degree in Health or Business Administration preferred.
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Director of Learning Center
Responsible for ensuring the quality of care provided at the child care center meets standards and regulations, developing policies and procedures, hiring and overseeing staff members, and meeting Department of Health Services regulations. Bachelor’s degree with at least nine credit hours in administration, leadership, and/or management preferred.
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Senior Director of Regional Operations
Responsible for handing the site operations for multiple clinics, overseeing manager responsibilities, coordinating staff interactions, and developing systems to enhance clinic function and success. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration or Health Care Management preferred.
*Please note that all of the positions listed here intended for illustration only. These jobs are merely examples of potential employment opportunities within Arizona. The above information does not guarantee job availability or employment as a health administrator in the state.
Additional Helpful Resources
Prominent Employers
The primary industries that employ health administrators are hospitals, physician offices, residential care facilities, outpatient care centers, and the government.
Specifically, some of the most prominent health administration employers in Arizona include:
- Banner Medical Center in Mesa
- Banner Good Samaritan in Phoenix
- Boswell Memorial Hospital in Sun City
- Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix
- Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix
- Mayo Clinic in Phoenix
- Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center in Scottsdale
Health Administration Associations
As a health administration professional, having the appropriate support and resources is important. Many workers in the field depend heavily on networking opportunities for job advancement, as well as idea sharing and assistance with tough issues. Luckily, there are a lot of state health administration associations available.
- Arizona Medical Group Management Association (AzMGMA)
AzMGMA offers its members a wide range of professional development opportunities, including education, networking, mentoring, and advocacy. The association strives to positively impact medical practice policy, as well as foster leadership skills that will enhance healthcare service delivery. - Arizona Health Care Association (AHCA)
AHCA is Arizona’s largest advocacy organization dedicated specifically to professionals working in nursing facilities and assisted living communities. The association strives to help its members in providing quality care to its clients. - Arizona Chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
The Arizona Chapter of HFMA is an organization for professionals responsible for the financial management of healthcare. It provides support to its members by offering professional development opportunities, such as offering further education, certification programs, leadership training, and peer-to-peer interaction. - Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA)
AzHHA is a powerful advocate for the healthcare system in Arizona. It actively contributes to conversations about issues that impact healthcare quality and accessibility. Membership includes healthcare organizations, hospitals, and health systems dedicated to making Arizona residents healthier.
While Arizona has many state associations for health administration professionals, there are several national organizations that may warrant investigating as well.
Some of the most prominent resources include:
- American Association of Health Care Administrative Management
- American College of Health Care Administrators
- American Health Information Management Association
- American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administrators
- Health Care Administrators Association
- National Association of Healthcare Access Management
- The Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators
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