Career ResearchJessica M. HoangHLTH 4190January 14, 2016

Introduction The career I have chosen to research is Health

Service Administration. For a healthcare administrator, the job itself requires a diverse set of job responsibilities. Through a variety of healthcare systems, administrators lead and manage staff and work with administrative personnel to assure the organization runs smoothly, operationally, legally, and professionally. This field of work interest me because there are so many different departments that can be helped. I hope to learn about the different health facilities and how to help them improve.

History of Health Service AdministrationIn the late 1800s, little patient support was offered for the sick

by medical institutions mainly because there was very little funding or knowledge of medical treatment.

In 1920 the thought of having a staff of individuals who managed and delegated financial and administrative duties were now in the process of being a requirement.

A training program was to be prepared for individuals who were to manage and assume administrative responsibilities.

The first “health systems management program” began in 1934, awarding the first Master’s Degree in healthcare administration. Originally called an “HA” or “Hospital Administration,” the degree has predominantly evolved into today’s Health Care Administration degree.

Health Service Administration in AmericaHealth administrators focus on the health of individuals,

families, and communities. They try to analyze and develop healthcare programs with the goal of reaching as many people as possible.

Health administration professionals work to administer, lead, and manage healthcare systems, such as hospitals, hospital networks, or large healthcare systems.

Health administrators work with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

They also administer programs that teach healthy lifestyle habits and prevention of disease and illness, in the hopes of promoting a healthier overall community.

Work Environment and SalarySome work environments involve hospitals, physician group

practices, nursing homes, and home health agencies. Some environments may be public such as hospitals, while

others may be private such as pharmaceutical companies, health insurance providers, consulting firms, or companies that make medical supplies.

There are many different types of health service administrations so salaries may vary. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that medical and health services managers earned an average annual salary worth $92,810.

The lowest earned $54,000 The highest earned $151,000

Growth Potential According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare

administration workers are expecting a growth in the field by 23% from 2012-2022 (much higher than the average for all occupations).

This growth is expected to stem from a healthcare system that will see increased demand from an aging baby boomer population, as well as technology that allows patients to live longer lives.

This demand will mean more hospitals, clinics, physicians, and other healthcare professionals will be needed, and that means more health administrators will be needed to help organize/administer.

Education and Licensure A bachelor’s degree (four years) is the typical entry-level needed for

health care administration jobs. Some employers, will promote from within or hire other professionals

with related experience (such as nurses) who are ideal for an administrative role because of their direct health care knowledge.

For high-level executive positions, a graduate education (two to three years) is usually the starting point.

In most areas of health care administration, a license is not needed. One notable exception is for administrators of long-term care nursing

facilities and some assisted living facilities. State license requirements vary state to state, but a licensing examination, proof of bachelor’s degree, and successful completion of a training program are typical elements of the licensing program.

Why I am Qualified I am a junior Health Science major with a concentration in

Health Service Administration with minors in Management and Athletic Leadership.

I have a hark work ethic, as well as being very determined to succeed in whatever situation I am put in. I have earned a full athletic scholarship combined with the LIFE

Scholarship since the fall of 2013. I have prioritized my schedule to help succeed on the golf course

as well as in the class room. Golf is a sport that is extremely mental, which as allowed me to

become innovative in life. I believe that with the skills that I have acquired from golf I am able to apply them to my field of work in any situation.

Relevant Coursework Principles of Microeconomics

Introduction of Public Health

Principles of Macroeconomics

Overview of Health Care Systems

Financial Accounting Concepts

Human Health and Diseases

Determinants of Health Behavior

Principles of Management

Epidemiology

Legal Environment of Business

Principles of Marketing

Corporate Finance

Managing Health Service Organization

Health Information Systems

Principles of Health Care Operation Management and Research

Health Policy Ethics and Law

Financial Management and Budgeting for Health Service Organization

O*NET Profiler ResultsTop 3

1. Social- Like working with others to help them learn and grow.

2. Enterprising- Like work that has to do with starting up and carrying out business projects

3. Artistic- People who have artistic and innovative abilities, and like to work in situations using their imagination and creativity.

O*NET Profiler Interpretation I would agree with the results the O*Net profiler compiled.

1. Social: I enjoy working with others to help prosper or overcome different task and activities.

a. Ex: I have been a golf camp counselor the past two summers to help children from ages 10-17 learn the game of golf and help them improve in different aspects of the sport. This applies to my field of work by involving me in situations where I can work with people that may not know or need help in difficult situations.

2. Enterprising: I enjoy working with people to help influence and perform for organizational goals.

a. Ex: I am on the Clemson Women’s Golf Team, which has provided me with the opportunity to work with different personalities and create a common goal to work towards to improve our team as a whole. Which applies to the real world where I would need to learn to work with others in order to succeed in Health Service Administration.

3. Artistic: I enjoy working in situations where I have to use my imagination and creativity.

a. Ex: By working in the golf camp the past two summers I was able to come up with different drills that would help each individual work on specific parts of their game, to improve their scores. This applies to my field of work by allowing me to have an imagination to overcome obstacles that I may face when working with difficult cases or situations that may come up.

Graduate Schools of InterestMedical University of South Carolina

-Charleston, SC

GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scaleGRE or GMAT: GRE- score above the 50th percentile for both verbal and quantitative. GMAT- score of 500 Tuition (per year): $16,072Application Deadline: March 1st

Medical University of South CarolinaOffice of Enrollment Management Admissions/Financial Aid/Registrar and Records45 Courtenay Dr.MSC 203Charleston, SC 29425-2030

Graduate Schools of Interest The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

-Chapel Hill, NCGPA: 3.0 or higher (4.0 grading scale) GRE or GMAT: scores in the 50th percentile are requiredTuition (per year): $32,900 Application Deadline: January 12th

The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUNC Gillings School of Global Public Health170 Rosenau Hall, CB #7400135 Dauer DriveChapel Hill, NC 27599-7400

ConclusionOverall, health service administration is a growing

field with more and more job opportunities opening up. It is recommended to have a Master’s degree to be chosen for a higher ranked position in administration, but a bachelors degree will also be acceptable. When choosing a career like health service administration, comes a lot of responsibilities such as making tough decisions to make sure that patients are getting the best care that they can receive.

References https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-he

alth-medical-administrative-services-health-services-administration

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm http://www.rileyguide.com/careers/health-services-managers.shtml http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/56/Health_Administrator http://programs.online.utica.edu/articles/what-is-health-care-administration.asp http://www.publichealthonline.org/healthcare-administration/#context/api/listings/

prefilter http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/how-to-become-healthcare-

administrator.html http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/chp/ http://sph.unc.edu/hpm/health-policy-and-management-home/ http://programs.online.utica.edu/articles/what-is-health-care-administration.asp http://sph.unc.edu/programs/?ppk=hpm-mha-r