Healthcare management continues to be a growing field in Texas. Of all of the healthcare management professionals who work in the United States, approximately 7 percent work in Texas. Texas is home to some of the largest hospitals and health systems in the country, houses nine major medical schools and has three of the top 10 most-populated U.S. cities – Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. With a large number of baby boomers aging and living longer and a dramatic increase in the overall population, the demand for healthcare management professionals in Texas is climbing. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook 2014-15, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23 percent by 2022, much faster than the average of all occupations. The BLS predicts that one in three new jobs in the U.S. over the next decade will be in the healthcare and social assistance industry.
As the number of healthcare management professionals grows, so too are their salaries. In Texas, healthcare management professionals earn, on average, more than their counterparts in related professions, with business managers earning $104,385 and business administrators $92,323.
Jobs in Texas
Nursing still tops the list for employment in the healthcare industry in both Texas and across the country. But other jobs in Texas are also in great demand, including skilled healthcare managers. These are the behind-the-scenes professionals who improve patient care by overseeing the day-to-day delivery of services, who improve the business flow of healthcare providers and organizations and who ensure their healthcare facilities are maintained properly and efficiently. These healthcare management professionals can be found serving as administrators, chief executive officers, chief financial officers, directors, department heads, patient advocates, insurance coordinators and pharmaceutical consultants. They can be found working for hospitals, clinics, health networks, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, health insurance carriers, research facilities, major corporations, government agencies and the military.
A healthcare manager does not necessarily need to have a background in healthcare. However, many of the healthcare management jobs in Texas like those in the industry nationwide, require a candidate to have an advanced degree. A Master of Business Administration with a Specialization in Healthcare Management focuses specifically on the business of healthcare and can prepare a student for leadership positions in this growing field. An MBA student in healthcare management can obtain a solid foundation in accounting and economics along with real-world knowledge of the issues, trends and practices that are necessary for a healthcare management professional to succeed in his or her career. Depending on what kind of management position a person chooses, earning an MBA in healthcare management can lead to numerous job opportunities and higher pay.
Learn more about UT Tyler’s online MBA with a Concentration in Healthcare Management program.
Sources:
http://beckershospitalreview.com/lists/100-things-to-know-about-healthcare-in-texas
http://www.chron.com/jobs/article/Industry-demand-steers-health-care-programs-6105716.php
http://mhadegree.org/25-great-job-positions-for-mha-degree-grads/