The management of facilities or departments within a healthcare facility or hospital. Health administrators manage a broad range of support services specific to healthcare. They may oversee fiscal operations, human resources, information technology and public relations.

Employers prefer to hire administrators with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in health administration or business management, but many facilities prefer health administrators to have a master’s degree as well. Some administrators may have prior experience as healthcare providers.

Health administrators oversee all of the human resource activities of their facility. They may recruit, hire, schedule and train new employees. They evaluate the performance of employees and handle employee issues as needed. Health administrators also oversee the financial operations of their facility. They manage the accounting procedures and processes, plan budgets, determine rates for services provided and develop financial reports. They are also responsible for remaining current on health insurance changes and billing policies.

Health administrators spend a great deal of time in meetings. They meet regularly with department management staff, facility owners and governing boards, and they prepare reports for governing boards and facility owners. Health administrators may be required to attend continued healthcare-related business courses in health administration, health economics and health information systems. They must know about government regulations as well as changes and advances in the healthcare industry. They stay current on the latest medical advances, computerized systems and technologies, and they meet with potential vendors to learn about the latest technologies and determine the cost benefits of purchasing new equipment or software programs.