Explore a career in the infrastructure, finance, and operations of healthcare.
The infrastructure, finance, and operations of healthcare
The business of healthcare can be as important in helping people’s lives as the direct patient care provided by medical staff. More jobs are being created in healthcare related industries than any other sector of the US. The business of healthcare is expected to grow by 22 percent through 2020*. This field focuses on infrastructure, finances, and operations of healthcare systems and facilities. (Retrieved from: Burningglass.com)
Sample careers in the business of healthcare focus on everyday service needs such as:
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Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Administrators work to administer, lead and manage healthcare systems, such as hospitals, hospital networks or large healthcare systems. Healthcare Administrators also provide programs that teach healthy lifestyle habits and the prevention of disease and illness, in the hopes of promoting a healthier overall community.
Careers in Healthcare Administration: Beyond the Hospital
Though working in a hospital setting is common, there are numerous other paths a healthcare administration professional can take, and the responsibilities vary widely. Sample areas beyond working in a hospital could include: Pharmaceuticals, Health Insurance, Nursing Homes, Home Healthcare, Ambulatory Services, Laboratories, Private Practice
Successful candidates have:
- Leadership and management skills
- Excellent communication skills
- The ability to think creatively
- Detail oriented and ability to juggle multiple priorities
- Strong analytical and logistical skills
Hiring and application cycle:
- Job Cycle – recruiting occurs on an as-needed basis
- Summer Internship Cycle – recruiting occurs on an as-needed basis
- Graduate Program Application Cycle – fall, winter, early spring with more structured program deadlines heavier in the fall
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Health Information Technology
Health information technology focuses on work in the area of medical records. It involves managing and organizing medical data and ensuring its accuracy. It can track patterns of disease, treatment outcomes, as well as maintaining and updating software and developing networks.
Successful candidates have:
- Sharp software and computer skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Detail oriented
- Strong analytical and logistical skills
Hiring and application cycle:
- Job Cycle – recruiting occurs on an as-needed basis
- Summer Internship Cycle – recruiting occurs on an as-needed basis
- Graduate Program Application Cycle – fall, winter, early spring with more structured program deadlines heavier in the fall
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Healthcare Consulting
The term “healthcare consultant” or healthcare business consultant refers to professionals or firms that specialize in providing business consulting services (healthcare administration or healthcare management) to the healthcare industry in finance, accounting, marketing, insurance, healthcare management, billing, coding, regulations and compliance, healthcare standards, and many other areas.
Successful candidates have:
- Proven evidence of academic success
- Naturally inquisitive with a desire to solve problems
- The ability to look at a problem and determine root-cause analysis
- A leader on and off campus that manages time effectively
- A quick thinker with quantitative and qualitative research and analytical strengths
- A responsive, diplomatic communicator including very strong written and verbal
Hiring and application cycle:
- Job Cycle – recruiting deadlines typically occur in August – October
- Summer Internship Cycle – recruiting deadlines range from the end of September – December
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Operations / Purchasing
Operations management refers to a focus on the practices designed to monitor and manage all of the processes within the production and distribution of products and services. Managing purchases, monitoring inventory and preserving quality are the primary goals. It is responsible for the oversight of healthcare facility operations, how efficiently they function, and how capable they are of providing adequate and reliable treatment to the community they serve.
Successful candidates have:
- Must possess strong customer service and active listening skills.
- Ability to be analytical and think critically. Math skills are important.
- Creative at problem solving and demonstrates good judgement.
- Excellent communication skills; interpersonal, verbal and written.
- Organizational and time management skills; adaptable and flexible.
- Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software (ex: SAP, Oracle, and i2).
Hiring and application cycle:
- Job Cycle – Recruiting deadlines typically occur on a rolling need basis, from September – May
- Summer Internship Cycle – Recruiting deadlines typically occur on a rolling basis need, from February – May
- Graduate Program Application Cycle – fall, winter, early spring with more structured program deadlines heavier in the fall
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Public Relations / Marketing
As the healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, it is necessary that healthcare organizations and vendors stay ahead of the curve. In this dynamic and quick-paced sector, organizations need to have a voice and a presence in the marketplace. Public Relations and Marketing roles help to create a solid messaging strategy that positions the organization as a thought leader while generating demand.
Successful candidates have:
- Excellent communication skills; interpersonal, verbal and written.
- Comfortable with decision making
- Strong skills in developing strategy
- A good understanding of the healthcare industry
Hiring and application cycle:
- Job Cycle – recruiting occurs on an as-needed basis
- Summer Internship Cycle – recruiting occurs on an as-needed basis
- Graduate Program Application Cycle – fall, winter, early spring with more structured program deadlines heavier in the fall
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Financial Management
Financial management involves handling routine financial operations, such as negotiating contracts, making cash available for expenses such as payroll, and maintaining a cash cushion for unexpected costs.
Successful candidates have:
- Multi-tasking & time management
- Ability to work in a stressful environment
- Independent, proactive & responsible
- Strong knowledge of accounting/valuation
- Attention to detail and analytical
- High level of integrity
Hiring and application cycle:
- Job Cycle – recruiting typically occurs from August to October.
- Summer Internship Cycle – recruiting typically occurs from August to April.
- Graduate Program Application Cycle – fall, winter, early spring with more structured program deadlines heavier in the fall
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Insurance
The insurance industry comprises companies and people who develop insurance policies to sell, administrate, and regulate them. Health insurance companies are increasingly emphasizing disease prevention. This has led to an increase in positions in insurance available to healthcare professionals. These individuals work with the health insurance company to help educate consumers on ways to stay healthy and keep the cost of healthcare to a minimum.
Two common professions in the field of health insurance are insurance sales and insurance underwriting. Both career paths will provide information to the public about health insurance as individuals in each field will broker for insurance companies.
Successful candidates have:
- Attention to detail and analytical
- Overall understanding of the Healthcare industry and policies
- High level of integrity
- Research skills
- Critical thinking, cautious decision-making skills
Hiring and application cycle:
- Job Cycle – recruiting occurs on an as-needed basis
- Summer Internship Cycle – recruiting occurs on an as-needed basis
- Graduate Program Application Cycle – fall, winter, early spring with more structured program deadlines heavier in the fall
