Healthcare Administration vs. Healthcare Management: Key Differences, Skills, and Career Outlooks

If you're interested in a healthcare career that doesn't involve direct patient care, you may want to look into roles in healthcare administration or healthcare management. These fulfilling careers offer the satisfaction of positively impacting patients and healthcare professionals, bypassing the inherent difficulties experienced by nurses and physicians.

Sometimes, you'll see healthcare administration and healthcare management used interchangeably, but it's important to understand that these are two very distinct fields. So, what are the differences between healthcare administration vs. healthcare management, and how can you decide which path is right for you?

What Is Healthcare Administration?

Healthcare administration is a field that encompasses the big-picture strategic planning and policy development that goes into running a healthcare organization and keeping things running smoothly.

Common Responsibilities

The job duties of a healthcare administrator can vary greatly by role, but some common responsibilities include:

• Handling long-term strategic planning.
• Overseeing financial management and determining budgets.
• General human resources management (including hiring and training).
• Handling operational management, including scheduling.
• Ensuring compliance with industry laws and regulations.

Common Job Titles in Healthcare Administration

Aside from the title of "healthcare administrator," you might also see these professionals referred to as:

• Clinic Administrators
• Health Services Managers
• Patient Services Coordinators
• Medical Office Managers
• Health Information Managers

What Is Healthcare Management?

Healthcare management is another important niche in the field that tends to focus more on the day-to-day operations of a healthcare organization or facility.

Common Responsibilities

Some common job duties of a healthcare manager may include:

• Overseeing individual departments or teams.
• Implementing and enforcing the policies set by the administration.
• Making operational changes to optimize efficiency and improve workflows.

Common Job Titles in Healthcare Management

Within the field of healthcare management, professionals may pursue such positions as:

• Hospital Administrator
• Healthcare Executive
• Director of Operations
• Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Practice Manager

Key Differences Between Healthcare Administration and Healthcare Management

While both healthcare administrators and healthcare managers play a critical role in keeping healthcare organizations and facilities running smoothly, these are two distinct fields with some notable differences.

Focus and Responsibilities

When it comes to the overall focus, healthcare administration tends to focus on higher-level issues and strategic planning. In contrast, healthcare management is more centered around the day-to-day operations of a facility or organization.

Level of Oversight

Healthcare administrators tend to be situated near the top of the proverbial totem pole, serving alongside chief executives and other high-ranking professionals. Healthcare managers, on the other hand, tend to have more oversight and are generally responsible for carrying out the policies and orders implemented by members of the administration.

Skills and Strengths

In a higher-level role such as a healthcare administrator, professionals need to have strong leadership and communication skills. They must also have an in-depth understanding of compliance laws and regulations affecting the healthcare industry. When it comes to long-term strategic planning, healthcare administrators also need to have excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Healthcare managers must have many of the same strengths. However, with more of a focus on day-to-day operations, healthcare managers may also need to have strong time management skills and the ability to delegate tasks to others. Meanwhile, because the healthcare field can be unpredictable, managers also need to maintain a sense of flexibility in their everyday work.

Educational Path

Both healthcare administration and management roles tend to require at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field. However, many professionals in more advanced or specialized roles (such as a healthcare executive or chief operating officer) have master's degrees in healthcare administration or a similar field.

Career Goals

Those entering the field of healthcare management tend to have long-term aspirations to work their way into executive roles within the field. For healthcare administrators, the end goal may be to run policy and decision-making for an entire facility or healthcare system.

Skills Needed for Success

No matter which path you're interested in, there are some essential skills you'll need to succeed as a healthcare administrator or manager.

Skills for Healthcare Administrators

As high-level decision-makers, healthcare administrators need to possess the following skills:

• Proficiency in current healthcare laws and compliance regulations.
• Strong business acumen, especially when it comes to setting budgets and determining long-term objectives.
• Interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.

Skills for Healthcare Managers

Healthcare managers can benefit from having many of the same skills as healthcare admins, in addition to:

●    The ability to collaborate and work with others while maintaining strong leadership.
●    Being able to communicate both verbally and in written form with employees, patients, and other stakeholders.
●    A strong attention to detail, especially when implementing new policies and assessing operational performance.

Career Outlook

The demand for both healthcare administrators and healthcare managers is expected to grow in the coming years, making now a great time to break into either of these fields. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for medical and health services managers (including healthcare administrators) is projected to grow 29 percent between 2023 and 2033 alone.

Which Career Path Is Right for You?

Deciding between a career in healthcare administration and healthcare management is a very personal decision that only you can make. However, suppose you're more interested in taking on a high-level role where you're in charge of developing policies and long-term strategizing. In that case, a career in healthcare administration may be right for you.

On the other hand, if you're more interested in overseeing the day-to-day operations in a healthcare facility or organization, then you may be better suited for a role in healthcare management.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Regardless of the path you're leaning towards, you'll need a formal education and some experience in the field before you can expect to find even entry-level work. As you research healthcare management or administration degree programs, look for options that allow for flexibility with your busy schedule. Be sure that the program you select is accredited and offers plenty of opportunities to gain hands-on and practical experience in your chosen field.

Learn More in a CCO Degree Program

Both healthcare administration vs. healthcare management can be extremely rewarding fields in which to work, especially if you're interested in helping healthcare systems improve and deliver quality care. Ultimately, the decision regarding which specific path is right for you will depend on your personal goals, interests, and strengths — but no matter which career path you choose, a quality education can set you up for success.

At Champlain College Online, we're proud to offer a Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program specifically designed to help students master the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the field, including healthcare business acumen, ethical leadership, and communication. Get in touch to learn more about this program or get the ball rolling by submitting your application today.