Pursuing a Career in Hospital Administration? Here’s How to Do It!

Hospital Administration refers to managing and coordinating healthcare services in a hospital or other relevant healthcare facilities. Hospital Administrators oversee the daily operations of the facility, including managing staff, finances, policies, and strategies. They ensure that all processes function efficiently and effectively, enabling patients to receive high-quality care. 

Healthcare administration is a broader term that encompasses leadership roles in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, insurance companies, and medical offices. 

As career opportunities in healthcare administration services are projecting a 28% growth within 2021-2030 in the US, global healthcare will also extend remarkable openings to navigate a path in this domain. 

If you’re looking for the right guidance to navigate this path, you are at the right place! Let us take you through the necessities and details of how you can apply, pursue, and nurture to become an expert healthcare administrator. 

Understanding The Role of a Hospital Administrator

Hospital Administrators manage the day-to-day administration of hospitals, ensuring that they run smoothly and that medical staff members are appropriately trained and supported to nurse patients to good health. They are in charge of planning, directing, and organising a hospital’s human resources, law and order, and finances. 

Hospital managers must understand the foundations of healthcare delivery and business management to align the diverse responsibilities together. Here’s what their role usually entails;

• Staff and budget management
• Overseeing administrative tasks
• Ensuring adequate patient care
• Asserting compliance with facility’s regulations
• Ensuring the quality and efficiency of the facility 

How much does a Hospital Administrator earn in India?

The average salary for a Hospital Administrator in India is INR 4.8 lakhs per year. A fresher Hospital Administrator with less than 1 year of work experience is able to earn an average total compensation of INR 4.2 lakhs. A mid-career Hospital Administrator with 5-6 years of working experience in the industry earns a total average compensation of INR 5 lakhs, while with sufficient experience of 7-10 years, the figure can grow to reach nearly INR 8 lakhs annually. 

These figures are subject to growth and can easily rise with the addition of skills, experience and the reputation of the healthcare organisation a candidate is working under. 

What education is required to become a Hospital Administrator in India?

To become a Hospital Administrator in India, the following education requirements must be met:

• Completion of 10+2 with a total of 50% marks is required for doing a Bachelor in Hospital Administration (BHA).
• Biology is a compulsory subject for BHA.
• A bachelor’s degree in health administration or a related field like nursing or health education is typically required for Hospital Administrators.
• The student must have passed class 12th from a recognised board.
• The student must have scored 50% or above in the class 12th board exams.
• For a Master of Hospital Administration (MHA), a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Sciences/Health Sciences/Allied Health Sciences/any other stream from a UGC recognised University with a minimum of 55% marks (in aggregate)

Steps to Purse a Career in Hospital Administration

Following the right steps can help you become an expert Hospital Administrator. Here’s how to do it!

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is essential to work as a Hospital Administrator since it gives the necessary knowledge and abilities. Consider the following points:

• Hospital Administrators are in charge of running a healthcare institution, which includes managing employees, budgeting, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
• A bachelor’s degree in business administration, healthcare administration, or a comparable topic will offer you knowledge and abilities in areas such as healthcare management, finance, and human resources.
• Many companies need a bachelor’s degree to work as a Hospital Administrator, while some may require a master’s or other higher degree.
• A bachelor’s degree also displays dedication to the subject and a desire to invest in one’s education and professional growth.
• Depending on the state and the specific position, Hospital Administrators may also need to be licensed or certified.

Gain Work Experience

Gaining work experience is necessary to become a Hospital Administrator as it provides the skills and knowledge needed to manage a healthcare facility effectively. Let’s analyse why gaining work experience is essential to this journey. 

• Professionals in this field hold tremendous opportunities to impact change, from participating in drafting public health policies to establishing more efficient health programs.
• To become a Hospital Administrator, you must have professional experience in addition to a formal degree.
• The abilities and information required to properly manage a healthcare centre are acquired via work experience.
• Hospital Administrators must have prior management expertise with personnel, finances, and assets.
• Additionally, they must have previous expertise with patient care, medical records, and billing.
• Internships, entry-level roles, and other healthcare-related occupations are all opportunities to get work experience.

Understand the responsibilities

Hospital Administrators are responsible for hiring, managing, and training employees. Other responsibilities include overseeing the observance of billing, tracking patient information, and collaborating with physicians and other staff members to deliver high-quality patient care. Some key highlights that aspirants must know about this role are:

• Healthcare administration is crucial in ensuring hospitals and other healthcare facilities run efficiently and productively.
• Working as a healthcare administrator gives you the power to change lives by ensuring the best possible patient experience.
• Healthcare administrators provide leadership and expertise in a variety of healthcare settings.
• As a healthcare administrator, you can have a lasting impact on improving the system in many ways.
• A career in hospital administration offers the opportunity to facilitate the operations of the systems and facilities that support healthcare professionals and ensure patients get the care they need.

Prioritising patient care, maintaining excellent communication with staff and stakeholders and staying abreast with current trends are some responsibilities Hospital Administrators must possess. 

Check out our free courses related to upskill yourself.

What Should be Done to Make Hospital Management degree More Optimal?

Several things could be done to make a hospital management degree more optimal:

• Incorporate more practical training and hands-on experience into the curriculum.
• Offer specialised tracks or concentrations to cater to specific areas of hospital management such as finance, operations, or healthcare IT.
• Provide opportunities for students to work on real-world projects or internships in hospitals or healthcare organisations.
• Integrate emerging technologies and trends in healthcare management into the coursework.
• Foster collaboration and networking opportunities with industry professionals and experts.
• Encourage research and innovation in hospital management through capstone projects or thesis requirements.
• Continuously evaluate and update the curriculum to ensure it aligns with the evolving needs and demands of the healthcare industry.

Top Hospital Administration Courses in India

Allow us to end your search with our list of India’s best hospital administration courses. 

• upGrad’s Executive Post-Graduate Programme in Healthcare Management by LIBA
• Post Graduate Diploma in Hospital and Healthcare Management (PGDHHM) by Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, Pune
• Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
• Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai
• upGrad’s Executive Doctor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management By Swiss School of Business and Management
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Hospital and Healthcare Management by Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), Jaipur
• Post Graduate Diploma in Healthcare Management (PGDHM) by Institute of Clinical Research (ICRI), New Delhi
• Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) by Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
• upGrad’s Executive Post Graduate Program in Healthcare Management by Goa Institute of Management
• Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) by Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal University, Manipal

You can choose your preferred institute and course from the above list before proceeding with a hospital or healthcare administration degree. 

Conclusion

Hospital administration is a challenging subject that calls for a broad range of skills, expertise, and knowledge. By following the instructions in this study guide, you may develop the skills necessary to thrive in this career as well as a greater understanding of the key principles of hospital administration. 

upGrad’s Executive Post-Graduate Programme in Healthcare Management is an 11-month online program designed for working professionals to develop practical knowledge and skills in healthcare management. The program covers topics such as healthcare institutes, hospital buildings, designing, planning, and benchmarking in the healthcare industry. 

The program offers a cutting-edge curriculum based on industry needs, virtual placement drives, dedicated career coach support, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. If you’re interested in advancing your career in healthcare management, this can be the perfect match for you!