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Health Services
Overview
There are many positions for available for professional communicators
in
planning, organizing, coordinating, and supervising the delivery
of health care invarious settings.
Health care is a rapidly changing field. Employees
in these management positions will be called upon to improve efficiency
in all health care facilities, while continually improving the quality
of health care provided. Many positions involve areas such as community
outreach, planning, marketing, human resources, finance information
management, and complying with government regulations. Many of these
types of employees are required to speak before civic groups, to
promote public participation in health programs, and to coordinate
the activities of the organization with those of government or community
agencies.
Work Environment
Because many health care organizations, such as hospitals and nursing
homes, are open around the clock, many health care employees work
long hours. Working hours will vary, according to the position held.
There also may be some travel required to attend meetings or satellite
facilities, but travel is not a major part of the job, overall.
Outlook and Trends
The health care field is always growing, so the job market for this
field is always good. It is projected that the job market will grow
faster than average in the next few years.
Earnings
According to a 1996 Buck Survey conducted by the American Health
Care
Association, nursing home administrators had median annual earnings
of about $49,500. The middle 50 percent earned between $42,100 and
$57,300. Assistant administrators earned about $32,000, with the
middle 50 percent earning between $26,200 and $40,000.
Training and Qualifications
Many times, an educational background in health services administration
or a similar program is required. However, backgrounds in communications,
human resources, and business can also be helpful. People in this
field must have effective analytical, writing, and communication
skills.
The following are electives and cognates available
to MAPC students that will help tailor a degree towards this career:
HLTH 601: Health Care Consumerism
HLTH 631: Public and Environmental Health
MHA 853: Seminar in Health Administration and Leadership
PSYCH 662: Psychology and Culture
PSYCH 680: Health Psychology
SOC 680: Medical Sociology
Employers
Pharmaceuticals
Psychology
Nutrition
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Sources of Additional Information
American College of Healthcare Executives
http://www.ache.org
Association of University Programs in Health Administration
http://www.aupha.org
Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services Administration,
1911 North Fort Myer Dr., Suite 503 Arlington, VA 22209
American College of Healthcare Administrators, 325 S. Patrick St.,
Alexandria, VA 22314
Medical Group Management Association, 104 Inverness Terrace East,
Englewood, CO 80112
Society for Technical Communications
http://www.stc.org
MAPC Resource
http://www.clemson.edu/caah/healthcomm/
Primary Source: Occupational
Outlook Handbook
http://stats.bls.gov.oco/ocos014.htm
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