Over the last decade, healthcare has become the U.S.’s largest employer, with much of the job growth relating more to non-clinical roles that span a number of other industries. If you desire a fast-paced and challenging work environment where your work directly impacts others, enjoy streamlining complex processes and resolving emerging issues, or conducting research and implementing programs that positively contribute to individuals’ and community health and wellness, then you might want to explore work related to healthcare.
Below, find information and resources related to opportunities in clinical, administration/management, technology/analytics, and public health, policy, and health promotion.
- Clinical Health
- Health Administration/Management
- Health Informatics, Technology, and Analytics
- Public Health, Policy, and Health Promotion
- Counseling & Wellbeing
Health Administration/Management
Roles and Work Environment
While the day-to-day work for a health administrator may vary by organization, the responsibilities remain the same. Health Administrators and Managers work to ensure the smooth operation of a hospital, hospital system, or healthcare organization. For more information about specific roles in this field, reference this “Guide to Careers in Health Administration” in addition to the other industry resources listed below.
Skills and Training
Opportunities in this field often require a specialized level of education and training, often beyond a bachelor’s degree. Common degree types include Master’s in Public Health, Master’s in Health Administration, Master’s in Business Administration, Certificate in Health Sciences Management, etc. The UVA Career Center offers a DC Healthcare Academy for students to expand their knowledge of the healthcare field.
Consider coursework and training in the following areas to gain experience:
- Healthcare service delivery
- Social Sciences
- Finance and Economics
- Organizational Management and Leadership
- Policy
- Quantitative Research
- Information Systems
The following skills and experience are helpful when considering opportunities in this field:
- Experience working within a clinical setting
- Management skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong detail orientation
- Ability to lead and motivate others
- Genuine interest in the healthcare industry and optimizing systems
Alumni Spotlight: Healthcare Director
Sallie is the Director of Operational Initiatives for the University of Virginia Health System. Requiring an understanding of the strategic vision of and for the organization, Sallie is responsible for aligning the appropriate resources, both financial and human, to meet the needs of the university's health system.
Major: English (Bachelor), Health Administration (Masters)
College: University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University (Masters)
City: Charlottesville
State: Virginia
Handshake Quick Search Links
Health Administration/Management
Health Informatics, Technology, and Analytics
Public Health, Policy, and Health Promotion
Additional Industry Resources
Job/Internship Search
- Career Builder Health Care Jobs & Resources
- HealtheCareers Network (Healthcare Administration/Executive Jobs)
- HealthJobs Nationwide
- Hospital Jobs Online
- Indeed Healthcare Administration
Professional Associations
- American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
- American College of Healthcare Executives
- Health Care Administrators Association
- Healthcare Financial Management
- Women in Healthcare Management
Blogs and Industry Research
Health Informatics, Technology, and Analytics
Roles and Work Environment
Health informatics is a discipline that includes all aspects of healthcare information science. Medical informatics encompasses all means of understanding and promoting the effective organization of clinical systems, healthcare process improvement, population studies and community/consumer education. This is one of the fastest growing career fields with a goal of implementing the “meaningful use” of electronic health and medical record. For more information about this industry, check out this health informatics industry overview.
Sample informatics job titles:
Sample organizations hiring for health informatics:
- Consulting Firms
- Medical software companies
- Health Systems
- Start-ups
- Medical device companies
Skills and Training
Opportunities in this field often require a specialized combination of education, skills, and experiences. Positions often require that candidates have both medical and information technology expertise, which can be hard to find. Consider seeking out opportunities and training in the following areas to gain experience:
- Work within a medical setting
- Experience with electronic medical records systems
- Coursework related to computer science and systems, biostatistics, data science, project management
- Leadership roles within student organizations
- Strong analytical thinking skills
- Ability to develop, manage, and execute project plans
Additional Industry Resources
Job/Internship Search
- HealthCareers Network (Healthcare IT Jobs)
- HealthJobs Nationwide
Professional Associations
- ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals
- American Health Information Management Association
- American Medical Informatics Association
- Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
Blogs and Industry Research
- A Career in Health Care Informatics: The Outlook and Options
- Why Informatics?
- 30 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Informatics Degree Programs
- Health Information Careers - Career Map
- Health IT Buzz
Explore More Career Pathways
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