Individuals considering a career in healthcare should remember that their choices aren’t limited to clinical roles. Employment and recruiting firm Robert Half reported in 2026 that demand for nonclinical positions in healthcare is rising, with more than 60% of surveyed nonclinical healthcare leaders planning to expand their teams in the coming year.
The healthcare industry needs strong managers who can help healthcare organizations achieve key goals. These professionals oversee financial operations, develop policies, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations — responsibilities that reflect the critical roles healthcare managers play.
For those interested in a healthcare management career and considering a relevant business degree, such as a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Management or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Healthcare Management emphasis, understanding the types of roles available and what each path entails can be beneficial.
What Is Healthcare Management?
Healthcare management involves coordinating, directing, and planning the nonclinical operations of healthcare organizations and systems.
Although individuals who pursue healthcare management careers don’t have direct clinical responsibilities, their work is important in ensuring that patients receive quality healthcare. For example, these roles often include overseeing efforts to strengthen patient care, maintaining compliance with laws and regulations governing healthcare safety, and ensuring that organizations have the equipment and medications necessary to treat patients.
What Fields Can Healthcare Management Professionals Work In?
Professionals with healthcare management expertise can pursue roles in areas such as:
- Strategic planning
- Operations
- Finance and budgeting
- Healthcare policy
- Insurance
- Facilities management
- Compliance
Careers in healthcare management also offer opportunities to work in environments including:
- Hospitals
- Physicians’ offices
- Residential and nursing care facilities
- Government agencies
- Outpatient healthcare centers
What Expertise Does a Degree in Healthcare Management Provide?
Healthcare management and other types of business degrees prepare individuals to oversee a range of areas, from operations to compliance to finance.
- A BS in Healthcare Management provides foundational expertise in areas such as human resource management (HRM), healthcare-related legal and regulatory issues, and operations management.
- An MBA with a Healthcare Management emphasis builds advanced expertise in areas such as healthcare policy, healthcare finance, and organizational behavior.
Examples of Healthcare Management Careers
Exploring specific careers in healthcare management can provide a good overview of what the field has to offer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies many of these careers as medical and health services managers, an occupation with strong salary potential and projected growth. According to the BLS, these professionals:
- Earned a median annual salary of $117,960 as of May 2024
- Can expect 23% job growth from 2024 to 2034, significantly faster than the 3% average across all occupations
Examples of medical and health services management careers include the following roles.
Hospital Administrator
Hospital administrators oversee and manage specific aspects of hospital operations, including financial management and quality of patient care. Individuals in these positions benefit from cultivating strong skills in communication, leadership, and decision-making. Aspiring hospital administrators can also strengthen their resumes by earning credentials such as the fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation from the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
Healthcare Compliance Officer
Healthcare compliance officers research and monitor whether healthcare organizations comply with laws and regulations. Attention to detail and communication skills are key when working in healthcare compliance. Earning a certification such as the certified in healthcare compliance (CHC) credential from the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) can also help aspiring healthcare compliance officers strengthen their credentials.
Health Information Manager
Health information managers organize and maintain patient records and ensure confidentiality. Skills in privacy controls, organization, and digital and physical recordkeeping help health information managers excel. Completing a certification such as the registered health information administrator (RHIA) credential from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) can help these professionals demonstrate expertise in the field.
Nursing Home Administrator
Nursing home administrators oversee the employees and operations at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. Skills in management, communication, and organization are critical to success in nursing home administration. This role typically requires a state license. Licensure requirements typically include passing a background check and completing a licensing exam.
Medical Office Manager
Medical office managers oversee the nonclinical aspects of medical practices, such as billing, human resources (HR), and recordkeeping. Multitasking, communication, and organizational skills help medical office managers successfully support the physicians they serve. Earning a certification such as the certified medical manager (CMM) credential from the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) can help medical office managers strengthen their credentials.
Healthcare Facilities Manager
Healthcare facilities managers oversee areas such as healthcare facility construction, maintenance, safety, and waste disposal. Developing skills in areas such as communication, problem-solving, and safety management is important in this field. Earning a certification such as the certified health care facility manager (CHFM) credential from the American Hospital Association (AHA) is a good way for healthcare facilities managers to demonstrate their expertise in the field.
Open the Door to a Rewarding Career in Healthcare Management
Healthcare management careers offer multiple professional paths in a growing field. Every day, individuals with knowledge and skills in healthcare management have the opportunity to make an important contribution to strengthening our healthcare system.
If you would like to obtain expertise in healthcare management, learn how the online and on-campus business degree programs from Mid-America Christian University can help you reach your career goals. For example, MACU offers a:
These degree programs offer the valuable expertise students need to pursue leadership positions in healthcare management and build a strong foundation for long-term career growth.
Start working to achieve your ambitions today.
Recommended Readings
Best Business Jobs for a Rewarding Career
Business Administration vs. Business Management: Differences in Career Paths
The Role of Ethical Decision-Making in Business Success
Sources:
American College of Healthcare Executives, FACHE
American Hospital Association, Certified Health Care Facility Manager (CHFM)
CareRev, Becoming a Hospital Administrator: Paving Your Path to Healthcare Leadership
Dovetail, “What Is Healthcare Management?”
Health Care Compliance Association, Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC)
Indeed, “How to Become a Compliance Officer in Healthcare”
Indeed, “How to Become a Health Information Manager (With Skills)”
Indeed, “How to Become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA)”
Indeed, “What Is Healthcare Management?”
IntelyCare, “How to Become a Nursing Home Administrator”
Professional Association of Health Care Office Management, Certified Medical Manager, CMM
Robert Half, 2026 Non-Clinical Healthcare Hiring and Job Market Trends
Robert Half, Employment Trends Spotlight: Nonclinical Jobs in the Healthcare Industry
ServiceChannel, Everything to Know About Healthcare Facility Management
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers