Associate Degree Programs in Healthcare Management
Majors Overview August 12, 2013Students enrolled in associate degree programs in healthcare management are imparted instruction about reimbursement strategies, personnel management and medical facility operations. Students are taught about healthcare laws, medical organization policies and patient care protocols. They are also taught how to maintain patient information and monitor the quality of care given to patients. Admission criteria usually require applicants to hold a general educational development (GED) certificate or a high school diploma.
Program Coursework
Associate degree program in healthcare management usually cover a range of topics, such as technology, healthcare management, medical terminology, and business administration. Program course topics may include the following:
•Healthcare insurance providers
•Managed medical care
•Healthcare law
•Medical ethics
•Healthcare financial accounting
Career Options
The majority of healthcare management positions require applicants to hold at least a bachelor’s degree or higher. Nonetheless, experience plays a significant role in preparing for management positions. Some entry-level healthcare careers that might offer useful experience include the following:
•Medical registrar
•Health information technician
•Medical records specialist
Information on Continuing Education
Employers for healthcare management positions often prefer master’s degree holders, although some positions could suit bachelor’s degree holders, especially with smaller firms. Associate degree programs usually do not cover courses in public reporting; however, multiple courses in public policy are often included in the graduate degree programs that are devised to provide some instruction in public reporting.
State licensure is mandatory for some healthcare management positions (BLS). For instance, administrators hired by nursing care facilities have to meet educational requirements and pass state examinations to obtain licensure before they are allowed to practice their profession. Continued education courses have to be completed frequently to maintain such licensure.
