Why Is There Such a Demand for Healthcare Managers?
Healthcare Managers across the country are seeing soaring demand for their abilities and expertise. The large population of Baby Boomers, increased demand due to the Affordable Care Act, the growth of urgent care clinics, tech innovations, and the global pandemic have all contributed to the rising need for Healthcare Managers. If you’re looking for an important healthcare administration career that will allow you to make a positive impact, becoming a Healthcare Manager would allow you to tackle an array of responsibilities with the ultimate goal of providing excellent patient care.
Here are some reasons Healthcare Managers are in such high demand today and will likely be so for years to come:
Aging of the Baby Boomers Means More Health Services
Born between the years 1946 and 1964, there are more than 70 million Baby Boomers today. Their active lifestyles combined with the effects of aging require increased health services. Because they’re outliving their grandparents, many opt for replacement knees and hips to maintain a healthy life. Others deal with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension—which require continuous monitoring by healthcare professionals. Still others are in long-term health facilities. All of these require effective management by professionals who understand the intricacies of healthcare systems and delivery.
The Affordable Care Act
Since its passage in 2010, the Affordable Care Act increased access to health insurance for an additional 20 million Americans. All those additional people placed even more demand on an already stressed healthcare system. The ACA also increased reporting requirements, forms, and l paperwork, which was especially taxing on administrators. More work meant there was need for the healthcare professionals who provide these services.
Increase of Mini Clinics for Healthcare Workers
Many healthcare services that used to be done only in hospitals are now performed in doctors’ offices and small clinics. There has also been a huge increase in walk-in medical centers and clinics that are open for many more hours in a day than a traditional doctor’s office. All will need Healthcare Managers who can hire and schedule staff, order supplies, and supervise billing to insurance companies.
An Ever-Changing Regulatory Healthcare Environment
Government regulations regarding healthcare change frequently in an effort to continually provide optimum service to patients, while protecting their privacy. Hospitals and clinics need medical professionals who understand all the business regulations and medical safety laws that must be followed—and who can train the staff accordingly.
Preventative Care Requires Healthcare Professionals
With so much information available on the Internet and in the news, many people realize the advantages of preventive healthcare. Medications are also advertised online and on television, providing people with information about treatments that they may want to address with their doctors. These factors combine to send more patients on doctor visits. They may seek medical services that are conveniently located at local clinics, televisits, or doctor’s offices more frequently than in years past, increasing the demand for healthcare services and managers to run the business.
Innovations in Healthcare Technology
Have you noticed that doctors take all their notes on tablets and laptop computers? Medical records are now electronic, and there is a large demand for healthcare professionals who know all the latest hardware and software. The way healthcare is administered, documented, and paid for all involve up-to-date technologies that require professionals who know how to use them.
Healthcare Managers Are Vital During Pandemics
If anything has proven the need for Healthcare Managers, its the Covid-19 pandemic. Hospitals have been overrun with patients and experienced severe staff shortages in many areas of the country. The protocols required under the rules of different states dealing with the pandemic caused much more work for Healthcare Managers. Testing as well as vaccine roll-outs have been slow. Healthcare Managers were essential to hire staff, order protective equipment and arrange for the administration of tests and vaccines within a community.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Healthcare Manager jobs are projected to grow much faster than average through 2028 and have a median salary of $100,980. Are you interested in this rewarding career? National American University offers a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management that will help prepare you. If you already have some experience or a certificate in a medical or business field, you may be able to transfer those credits to your degree program, which could save you both time and money. Fill out the form to request more information.
