How Do I Become a Health System Administrator?

Most medical and corporate organizations require you to obtain a master’s degree in health services administration or a related field such as business administration or public health before you can become a health system administrator. In addition, you typically must pass any government-mandated examinations, meet all licensing requirements and participate regularly in continuing education classes. The job of system administrator is considered an executive position, and successful candidates are required to possess expert knowledge of facility operations as well as healthcare law, and they usually have years of supervisory and administrative experience.

Medical management is a highly competitive career field; only the best of the best are able to achieve their goals to become health system administrators. Many colleges and universities offer accredited bachelor degree programs in health information management, health services administration and related fields such as business administration. There are, however, far fewer master’s degree programs. Excellent grades, an impressive résumé and recommendations from professors and employers are critical to you winning the competition for entrance to graduate school.

The type of facility for which you aspire to become a health system administrator also has a bearing on the requirements for success. If you want to work in a nursing care facility, you will likely be required to complete several hours of government-administrated training, pass a licensing examination and prove compliance in obtaining mandated continuing education hours. Most jurisdictions require additional training and licensure to become a system administrator in an assisted living facility as well; these license requirements typically do not apply to other areas of health service management.

Experience is as important as education if you want to become a health system administrator. Master’s programs typically provide as much as a year of supervised administrative management experience in addition to coursework in law and ethics, human resources and health economics. Students also can take advantage of intern and fellowship programs to gain valuable experience.

Graduates who hold bachelor’s degrees or higher degrees can find entry-level positions as assistant administrators or department heads with relative ease. Small and rural facilities are often more willing than large or urban institutions to give administrators who have bachelor’s degrees more responsibility while they work toward their master’s degrees. Wherever you get your first chance to work in the field, take every possible opportunity to learn new job functions and work in different departments. The broader your scope of experience, the more appealing your résumé will be when the opportunity to become a health system administrator arises.