A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a professional degree that can help you become proficient in managing businesses. If you want to improve your health care qualities and business skills, you can earn this degree and concentrate on health care management. Learning about an MBA degree in health care management can direct your educational path. In this article, Pritish Kumar Halder discusses why you might consider an MBA in health care management, describes how to get a job as a graduate, list 10 jobs to consider, and answer frequently asked questions.
Why consider an MBA in health care management?
You can earn an MBA in health care management to prepare for an advanced managerial career. These programs typically emphasize the economic, legal, ethical, political, and historical aspects of health care. If you currently work in this field, earning an MBA can also qualify you for a promotion or raise.
As the health care industry grows, many establishments require leaders who can adapt to operational policies and advancements in patient care or treatment. Completing an MBA program can help you become more valuable to these establishments. Evaluating your long-term career goals in health care and an MBA program’s benefits can help you make an informed educational decision.
How to get a job as an MBA graduate
You can follow these steps to secure a health care role after completing your MBA program:
1. Gain relevant experience
Along with professional degrees and certifications, health care or medical experience can increase your chances of getting the job you want. You can consider volunteer opportunities at your local clinic or nonprofit organizations to practise your business and medical skills. Gaining work experience during your MBA program can help you get a health care job immediately after graduation.
2. Research job opportunities
You can use job boards to search for health care management opportunities that interest you. Consider visiting the websites of specific companies where you want to work. Maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with your contacts can encourage them to recommend you for unlisted management roles in health care.
3. Create a compelling resume
A health care resume describes your work experiences, skills, and credentials. Because hiring managers typically use it to analyze your personality and expertise, aim to make yours informative and compelling. You can outline your previous health care roles and emphasize your impact in these positions. Supervisory experience can help your application.
4. Prepare for your interview
Interviews are typically the last stage of a hiring process. You can prepare for one by practising answers to possible health care questions. Highlighting what makes you unique and following up after an interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
10 jobs with an MBA degree in health care management
Here are various roles you can get after completing an MBA with a concentration in health care management:
1. Health information manager
Primary duties: Health information managers organize, oversee, and protect patient health information, including medical histories, diagnoses, and test results. They act as intermediaries between medical professionals, insurance companies, and patients. Health information managers are responsible for ensuring accurate and confidential patient data and electronic medical records (EMR). They also design health information systems to comply with all medical, legal, and ethical standards.
2. Medical services manager
Primary duties: A medical services manager is responsible for the services offered to patients in a medical setting. They typically oversee training and recruitment efforts, maintain health care budgets, manage a facility’s daily records, and create work schedules for health care providers. They also coordinate health care delivery and maintain professional relationships with medical directors. Medical services managers provide administrative leadership in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
3. Health care manager
Primary duties: A health care manager oversees a health care department or facility. They’re responsible for daily operations and may act as a facility’s spokesperson. Health care managers plan, direct, and control medical resources and coordinate health care providers. Through their work, they foster an environment where patients can receive quality health care services.
4. Clinical manager
Primary duties: A clinical manager oversees the daily operations of outpatient or clinical facilities. They often provide administrative support, coordinate hiring and training efforts, and develop patient care plans. They may also establish budgets, evaluate clinic operations, review treatment plans, and communicate performance indicators with executives. Through their work, clinical managers help provide excellent patient care that complements a clinic’s mission.
5. Corporate development manager
Primary duties: A corporate development manager develops strategies and applies project management techniques to improve a business’s performance and financial stability. In health care, they generally work for private medical facilities and collaborate with medical managers. Before implementation, corporate development managers typically present their plans to an establishment’s director.
6. Health care consultant
Primary duties: A health care consultant helps medical businesses operate effectively. They explore methods to reduce costs and increase revenue while maintaining patient satisfaction. Health care consultants collaborate with administrators, directors, and executives to identify health care challenges. They also provide expert advice on a facility’s economic strategies, clinical infrastructure, and operational metrics. Through their work, they can help a health care facility efficiently use budgets.
7. Policy analyst
Primary duties: A policy analyst evaluates health care policies established by the government. They gather statistical data and study political systems, trends, and ideas. Then, they forecast the outcomes of potential policies and create written reports explaining their findings. Through their work, policy analysts aim to influence government decisions about health care.
8. Medical director
Primary duties: A medical director is a physician who provides guidance and leadership in a health care organization. They organize the operations of a medical facility, develop plans to improve patient care, and establish professional relationships with other facilities. Medical directors typically work in nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, and research institutes. As physicians, they may perform crucial health care procedures and treatments.
9. Project manager
Primary duties: A project manager is responsible for a project’s success. In medical facilities, they oversee health care projects, such as mobile health programs, department expansions, or medical emergencies. They also manage resources and health care providers to ensure timely project completion. Project managers typically apply methodologies, such as Agile and Scrum, for a project team to work effectively.
10. Research manager
Primary duties: A research manager oversees researchers and plans studies. They monitor health care research studies and develop new treatment plans or research methods. Research managers typically create a budget and ensure researchers spend within these limits. They’re also responsible for ensuring their research team follows all applicable laws.
Reference: https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/mba-health-care-management