Healthcare management refers to leadership and administrative support within healthcare systems, such as hospitals, clinics and care facilities. Management in healthcare is crucial for improving patient outcomes, managing budgets, ensuring compliance and quality, and driving innovation. Passionate healthcare professionals seeking to advance their careers can find the knowledge and tools to make a lasting impact through advanced education programs, such as the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Healthcare Administration Concentration program from Eastern Washington University (EWU).
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical and health services manager job openings are projected to increase 23% by 2034. Because of an aging population requiring more complex medical services and the ever-evolving technological and regulatory nature of modern healthcare, the demand for qualified healthcare managers continues to grow.
What is Healthcare Management?
One of the fastest-growing careers in the U.S., healthcare management is the practice of planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling healthcare organizations to achieve goals, such as better patient care, financial stability and operational efficiency. Effective healthcare management aligns clinical needs with operational plans and economic viability by implementing policies that support staff and patients.
Healthcare managers ensure the delivery of quality care by utilizing technology, standardizing processes, optimizing workflows, empowering staff, prioritizing patient-centered practices and monitoring data. By focusing on these aspects of healthcare, organizations improve patient outcomes. Healthcare managers are typically responsible for:
- Technology integration: Using electronic health records (EHRs) and automated tools to cut paperwork, improve communication and let staff focus on the patients
- Process optimization: Creating standard workflows and clinical guidelines to reduce variations and errors, improving consistency and outcomes
- Staff empowerment: Investing in continuous training for skills, empathy and new technologies and processes to keep staff engaged and prepared to provide the most up-to-date care
- Data analysis: Tracking key metrics, including wait times, readmissions and patient satisfaction, to ensure ongoing enhancement for all stakeholders
- Ensuring a focus on patients: Training providers in empathy and clear, jargon-free explanations to prioritize patient understanding, comfort and education
Core Skills You’ll Develop in a Healthcare Management Program
EWU’s MBA in Healthcare Administration online program develops core skills in financial management, healthcare policy, leadership and marketing. These skills prepare graduates to manage complex healthcare organizations by blending core business principles with industry-focused knowledge. Core competencies include:
- Finance: Mastering corporate financial management, budgeting for healthcare facilities and accounting for effective resource allocation
- Healthcare policy: Navigating complex healthcare policies, legal boundaries, regulatory compliance and ethical standards
- Leadership: Leading change, inspiring teams with strong communication and planning strategically for organizational success
- Marketing: Effectively marketing healthcare services and communicating with diverse stakeholders
- Data and technology: Leveraging data analytics, health information systems and technology for informed decision-making and operational efficiency
EWU builds these skills through core MBA courses and concentration classes. Core MBA courses provide foundational business skills in finance, marketing, operations and leadership, while concentration courses focus on specialized knowledge in health law and health systems. Additionally, applying theory to real-world scenarios with practical application enhances your problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills.
What Career Paths Are Available in Healthcare Management?
Healthcare management encompasses a diverse range of careers, including hospital and clinic administration roles, consulting and policy analysis positions, and opportunities in long-term care and public health management. Some of the most prominent pathways that EWU’s healthcare administration graduates take include the following:
- Pharmaceutical project managers plan, execute and oversee complex projects in the drug development lifecycle.
- Health services administrators (or healthcare managers) plan, direct and coordinate the operations of a hospital.
- Policy analysts focus on making healthcare more accessible, affordable and impactful. They research, evaluate and develop healthcare policies and programs to improve public health.
- Health insurance policy designers create and structure health plans, balancing cost control, access to care and quality.
- Healthcare consultants work to provide expert advice and specialized services to healthcare organizations, solving problems, improving efficiency, cutting costs and enhancing patient care.
Healthcare Management Job Growth
Job growth for medical and health services managers is expected to grow faster than the rate for all occupations over the next decade, per BLS. BLS forecasts an average of 62,100 openings each year for medical and health services management jobs. This growth stems from an aging population and expanded medical services. As the sector becomes increasingly complex and requires more specialized knowledge, the demand for skilled administrators continues to rise.
Skills and circumstances influence career advancement and earning potential. Education, work experience, skills, professional development, organizational factors and personal attributes all have a direct impact on career growth. The most impactful factors to consider are:
- Education: Advanced degrees, such as EWU’s MBA in Healthcare Administration online, significantly boost prospects compared to a bachelor’s degree. Specialized certifications in areas like project management or health informatics also add value.
- Experience and skills: Experience in clinical or administrative roles provides a foundational understanding, while skills such as leadership, communication and ethical decision-making are vital.
- Organizational factors: Organizational resources, location, size and culture impact overall opportunity and earning potential. Larger facilities in high-demand areas often offer higher, more competitive salaries.
- Personal attributes: An intrinsic desire for accomplishment, independence and responsibility are qualities many employers look for in high-level employees, like managers, supervisors and executives.
What Makes EWU’s Healthcare Management Program Stand Out?
EWU’s online MBA in Healthcare Administration degree stands out by blending core business principles with specialized healthcare courses and by focusing on applied learning and polytechnic skills. This approach helps students tackle unique industry challenges, such as regulations and operational efficiency, preparing healthcare leaders for complex roles in the public and private sectors.
The flexible online format is ideal for working professionals, allowing students to study at their own pace without putting their careers or personal lives on hold. Featuring a blend of flexibility, affordability and networking, students learn from diverse professionals within a supportive, AACSB-accredited program. The lower costs and multiple start dates make this program accessible for healthcare providers seeking to advance into leadership positions.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Healthcare Management Career
Healthcare management education equips professionals with the leadership, business and strategic skills to navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry. With a strong job outlook and multiple career pathways to consider, each with competitive salaries, graduates secure a future in which they can make meaningful impacts on patient outcomes in many settings.
For more information about EWU’s online MBA in Healthcare Administration degree, explore the course calendar, admissions process and full suite of student services. To make a direct impact on patient care, apply today and start your journey towards healthcare leadership.
Learn more about EWU’s online MBA with a Healthcare Administration Concentration program.
