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Health Care Administrators or healthcare administrators are the professionals who manage one department or the entire facility. They handle a hospital, clinic or a medical centre by taking care of creating work schedules, putting together records of the facility’s services, creating and monitoring budgets, overseeing funds, communicating with different departments, recruiting, training and supervising representatives and improving the quality and productivity of the facility.
Students who wish to pursue a career as a Health Care Administrator must pursue various Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Courses, from some of the Top Medical Colleges in the country such as AIIMS, PGIMER etc. In order to become a Health Care Manager, candidates must know that some of the top recruiters of MBA in Healthcare Management are Fortis, Practo, Apollo, Abbott, WHO, Cipla, UNICEF, and Pfizer.
Some of the top colleges for MBA in Healthcare Management in India are IIM Calcutta, FMS Delhi, TISS Mumbai, KJ Somaiya Mumbai, among others to become Health Care Administrator. The average PG course fee ranges from INR 5-25 Lakhs.
Table of Contents
- What does a Health Care Administrator do
- Steps to Become a Health Care Administrator
- Types of Health Care Administrators
- How to become a Health Care Administrator in India
4.1 How to become a Health Care Administrator after 12th
6.1 UK
6.2 USA
6.3 Canada
6.4 Australia
- Benefits of Becoming a Health Care Administrator
- Skills Required to become a Health Care Administrator
- Salary of Health Care Administrator
9.3 Experience Wise
How to Become a Health Care Administrator: Quick Facts
| Industry | Healthcare |
| Eligibility | BBA in healthcare management: Students must score an aggregate minimum of 50% marks with PCM/PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology) as their major subjects. |
| MBA in healthcare management: Students must have achieved an aggregate minimum of 50% marks in UG course (5% relaxation for reserved category). | |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3-5 LPA |
| Job Opportunity | Healthcare Centers, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Outpatient Care Facilities, Government Agencies, Research Laboratories, Colleges |
What Does a Health Care Administrator Do?
The primary responsibility of a Health Care Administrator is to work with physicians, make policy decisions, foster an environment that can provide necessary and quality health care and lead marketing endeavors to ensure everything works out smoothly.
Steps to Become a Health Care Administrator
Some of the crucial steps that can be followed in order to become a Health Care Administrator are listed for your reference,
- Decision Making: Before beginning your career in the healthcare industry, you have to decide where your passion lies, whether you want to become a Health Care Administrator or pursue another profession. A career in the healthcare industry comes with a lot of challenges and difficulties and one must be passionate and dedicated to helping people in need of healthcare.
- Subject Choices: After completing the 10th standard, the initial step is to choose the correct subject in the 12th standard. If you wish to pursue your career in the healthcare industry, you must take physics, chemistry, mathematics/biology in 10+2/equivalent.
- Entrance Exam Preparation: After completing 10+2/equivalent, students must appear for AIMA UGAT and other entrance exams to earn their bachelor’s degree from a reputed university. After graduation, one must appear for CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT and other entrance exams if they wish to pursue their master’s degree from a reputed university.
- Selecting Correct Colleges: Selecting the correct college to begin your career is an important task. If you achieve a good score in an entrance exam, the chances of getting into the best university are higher. If you score low then you have to choose a university that accepts your marks.
- After Qualifying Exam: Completing the 10th & 12th standard is a basic step and clearing an entrance exam to take admission to a UG course is the start of a journey in the healthcare industry. After qualifying for an entrance exam, you have to obtain a 3-4 year UG degree and pursue your journey to complete an internship/residency/fellowship training to gain advanced knowledge.
Types of Health Care Administrators
- Assistant Health Manager/Administrator: An assistant health manager/administrator oversees and manages all the business and management tasks of hospitals like handling patient payments, balancing each department’s budget, managing group practices across various locations.
- Clinical Research Manager: Clinical research managers hold one of the most critical and responsible roles in the healthcare industry. They monitor and oversee all aspects of clinical trials that evaluate new meds and clinical devices. One must be proficient with financial management and budget planning to be a clinical research manager.
- Health Information Managers: Health information managers are responsible for organizing, overseeing, maintaining and ensuring that all patients' health information data and medical records are safe including but not limited to symptoms, diagnoses, medical histories, test results, and procedures.
How to Become a Health Care Administrator in India?
To become a Health Care Administrator in India you will need a healthcare management degree. You can start by obtaining a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Then, gaining experience in the healthcare industry or consider obtaining a master's degree.
School Level Preparation
- To become a Health Care Administrator, students must pursue their higher education (12th standard) in the science stream with PCM/PCB (physics, chemistry, mathematics/biology) as their major subjects.
- While pursuing your senior secondary classes, start preparing for the entrance exam/s AIMA UGAT, among other entrance exams to take admission to a good college/university.
How to Become a Health Care Administrator after 12th?
Some of the key steps that be followed in order to become a Health Care Administrator after completing class 12th board exams are listed below for your reference,
Undergraduate Preparation
- Students must have scored at least 50% marks in their 12th standard with PCM/PCB as their compulsory subjects.
- At the undergraduate level, a 3-4 years graduation degree (BBA/others) are earnable.
- Students will have to clear an entrance exam to gain admission.
Postgraduate Preparation
- For postgraduate courses, a bachelor's degree in the same field is required, students have an option to do an internship/residency/fellowship before pursuing a master’s degree (MBA).
- Students must achieve an aggregate minimum of 50% marks.
- Clearing one of the entrance exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, etc is needed for admission.
Health Care Administrator Courses
To become a Health Care Administrator, students can begin their journey by earning a bachelor's degree in healthcare management (BBA) followed by a master's degree (MBA in Healthcare Management). To gain comprehensive knowledge and experience, an internship/ residency/ fellowship can be pursued by students.
BBA in Healthcare Management
BBA in healthcare management is a 3-year bachelor’s degree, initial steps for students looking to start their career in the healthcare industry.
Admission Process
- Admission to BBA in healthcare management will be done on the basis of the student’s scores in the entrance exam.
- The final selection will be done on a GD/PI round basis.
- Some universities offer admission to students on the national level entrance exam, some on a state-level entrance exam, whereas, some universities conduct their own entrance exams, depending on their requirement.
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Students taking admission through an entrance exam must score good marks to get in the qualified cut-off.
Eligibility Criteria
- Students must have passed 10+2/equivalent from a recognized board.
- Students must have scored at least 50% marks and have PCM/PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology) as their major subjects.
- Students should be more than 17 years old while appearing for the exam.
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Students with a good score in the entrance exam as per each university cut-off are eligible.
MBA in Healthcare Management
MBA in healthcare management is a 2-year master’s degree. To become a professional in the healthcare industry, one must earn an MBA in healthcare management degree. The average fee for this program in India varies between INR 4-25 Lakhs, depending on the university (20-25 Lakhs if you are targeting an IIM).
Admission Process
- Admission to MBA in healthcare management will be done on the basis of an entrance exam.
- The final selection will be done on the basis of a written exam followed by GI-PI (Group Discussion and Personal Interview) rounds.
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Students looking to pursue this program must apply either for a national level entrance exam or can apply for a university-level exam (if you are targeting a particular university that conducts their own exam).
Eligibility Criteria
- Students with a bachelor's degree from a reputed institution can apply.
- Students must have achieved at least 50% marks in the UG course (5% relaxation for reserved category).
- There is no age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts for the CAT exam.
How to Become a Health Care Administrator Abroad
The medical sector is vital and extremely valuable across the globe. There are innumerable opportunities under the field of healthcare, there are several medications and hospitality that can be pursued for advanced education. Apart from India, Health Care Administrators can pursue their medical career in other countries too such as the UK, US, Canada and Australia.
Health Care Administrator in UK
- A 3-year/4-year bachelor’s degree in medicine, pharmacy, biological sciences or relevant field.
- The minimum marks required in the UG course is 60%.
- Qualified IELTS/TOEFL/PTE exam with a good score.
Top Colleges
| University Name | Courses Available | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | Masters in Public Health | INR 40-42 Lakhs |
| University of Oxford | M.Sc in International Health and Tropical Medicine/Evidence-Based Health Care | INR 30-32 Lakhs |
| University of Warwick | M.Sc Healthcare Operational Management | INR 25-28 Lakhs |
| University of Bristol | M.Sc in Public Health | INR 20-22 Lakhs |
Health Care Administrator in USA
- A bachelor's degree from a recognized institution in the medical field.
- Students must have achieved a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) to qualify for the MS degree.
- A competitive GMAT/GRE score is acceptable.
- Qualified IELTS/TOEFL/PTE exam with a good score of at least 80.
Top Colleges
| College/University Name | Courses Available | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas | Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership and Management | INR 54-55 Lakhs |
| Kennesaw State University | Master of Science in Healthcare Management and Informatics | INR 35-38 Lakhs |
| Mercy College | Master in Health Services Management | INR 25-30 Lakhs |
Health Care Administrator in Canada
- A bachelor's degree from a recognized institution in nursing, social work, dietetics, occupational or physical therapy, or another related field.
- The minimum marks required in the UG course is 76% and above.
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Qualified IELTS exam with a minimum overall score of 6.5 or Qualified TOEFL exam with a minimum of 90 scores (internet-based exam).
Other Requirements
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Students must have three or more years of relevant work experience in the relevant medical field.
Top Colleges
| College/University Name | Courses Available | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| University of British Columbia | Master of Health Leadership and Policy in Seniors Care | INR 18-20 Lakhs |
| Master of Health Leadership and Policy in Clinical Education | ||
| McGill University | International Masters for Health Leadership | INR 35-36 Lakhs |
Health Care Administrator in Australia
- A recognised bachelor’s degree in a relevant health field.
- The minimum marks required in the UG course is 70% and above.
- Students must meet the English proficiency requirements of a certain University in Australia.
- Students must have one year minimum PG experience in a clinical area of practice.
Top Colleges
| College/University Name | Courses Available | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Cross University | Master of Healthcare Leadership | INR 15-16 Lakhs |
| Curtin University | Master of Science in Health Practice - Clinical Leadership | INR 38-40 Lakhs |
Benefits of Becoming a Health Care Administrator
- Salary: Healthcare Management offers a higher salary than most other fields. If you are looking for well-paid jobs and have a soft corner for helping people, Healthcare Management positions high in such a manner. A bachelor’s degree may bring about good earnings, but for the most part, they’re generally much higher with a master’s degree. But keep in mind that salary ranges vary based on the degree and experience but most important clinical skills.
- Job Security: In the healthcare sector, job security is ceaselessly strengthening compared with other fields. While the healthcare industry will eventually encounter some changes, people will still need to be cared for on a human level. Human interaction in the healthcare industry can’t be replaced by some AI and that is another reason why the healthcare industry provides the best professional stability.
- Positive Impact: The best positive impact of a Health Care Administrator is that their work can truly change the world. They help health systems work more efficiently which thus helps in providing quality and comprehensive patient care. They help in improving health care delivery to broader segments of the community and population at large.
- Unique Experience: Health Care Administrators make a difference in people’s lives. You’ll be able to gain a unique experience by providing effective as well as quality care. By staying on top of the latest technologies and advancements, you can bring cutting-edge care to your community.
Skills Required to Become a Health Care Administrator
| Up to Date Medical Knowledge | Quick Thinking | Easy Adaptability |
| Ethical Judgment & Decision Making | Team Management Skills | Relationship Building |
| Transparency & Active Listening | Problem-Solving Skills | Detail Oriented Skills |
Salary of Health Care Administrator in India
Average Annual Salary: Sector-Wise
| Name of Organisation | Starting Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Government | INR 3.9-5 LPA |
| Private | INR 3.7-4 LPA |
Specialization Wise Salary
| Specializations | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Assistant Health Manager/Administrator | INR 6-8 LPA |
| Health Information Manager | INR 10-12 LPA |
| Clinical Research Manager | INR 15-18 LPA |
Experience Wise Salary
| Experience | Salary |
|---|---|
| Fresher | INR 3-5 LPA |
| Experienced | INR 10-20 LPA |
How to Become a Health Care Administrator: FAQs
Ques: Is healthcare management a good career?
Ans: Health Care Administrators are an integral part of an association. The health industry is a flourishing sector around the world. The field of healthcare management offers both a competitive salary and solid employment opportunity development, making it an alluring and great career choice.
Ques: How long does it take to be a Health Care Administrator?
Ans: To become a Health Care Administrator, it will take an average of 8-10 years. Four years to earn a bachelor's degree in healthcare management, two years for a master's degree and about three to four years of working experience.
Ques: Which pays more healthcare management or healthcare administration?
Ans: The average annual salary for a Health Care Administrator is slightly higher than a healthcare administrator. The reason behind this is that a Health Care Administrator centers around the general necessities of the entire organization, whereas a healthcare administrator is more centred around individual areas and departments.
Ques: Are Health Care Administrators in high demand?
Ans: Yes, Health Care Administrators are in high demand. The healthcare industry is a rapidly growing industry at a quicker than normal rate in the coming decade. As the population increases, there ought to be an increased demand for healthcare services. Hence, more health professionals are required.
Ques: Do Health Care Administrators get bonuses?
Ans: The average annual salary of a Health Care Administrator is already sky-high, yet there are some additional perks (such as bonuses). The average bonus varies between 20-30% of the base salary of a Health Care Administrator.