How to Become a Healthcare Manager | Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Skip to Main Content
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If you work in healthcare, you understand why there is a growing demand for healthcare managers. Population growth and advances in medical care are leading to greater numbers of patients using our healthcare systems. New technology and medications are creating subspecialties and treatment modalities that all require organization and management. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an accelerated degree completion program that can be finished in one year. Our B.S. in Healthcare Management can help you advance your career.

How to Become a Healthcare Manager

Most healthcare managers have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, in addition to experience working in the healthcare sector. While some healthcare managers hold degrees in business or computer science, healthcare-centric fields, such as nursing, health administration, psychology, mental health, or biological sciences are good fits for this career. By demonstrating an interest in healthcare organization and function, and exhibiting experience in a field of healthcare, employers are more likely to consider applicants appropriate for healthcare manager positions.

Managers are called upon to organize people, functions, equipment, and budgets. There are many soft skills, such as are found in the field of human resources, involved in successfully managing a workforce. Stakes often are high in healthcare, impacting the health and well-being of patients. Emergency situations, fast-paced medical care protocols, and the need for accurate documentation are common in many healthcare professions, including healthcare management. Focused learning programs and work experience help prepare managers for healthcare roles.

Healthcare Manager Duties and Responsibilities

Healthcare managers work to coordinate and direct medical services. They are required at the departmental level and institutional level. Some healthcare managers oversee private or corporate medical practices, while others manage areas of specific function, such as dialysis centers or surgical suites. Typical duties may include:

  • Collaborating with business executives to develop financial goals and quality controls
  • Working with medical professionals to institute practice protocols and production targets
  • Maintaining compliance with regulations and laws
  • Preparing budgets and overseeing billing functions
  • Recruiting workforce members and setting up training programs
  • Supervising healthcare professionals and other team members
  • Creating and implementing work schedules
  • Serving as a representative in board meetings and other public hearings
  • Directing the organization of medical records and other data necessary to continued function of healthcare operations

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the growth of employment for health and medical services managers at 28% through 2032, with a median annual wage of $104,830 as of May 2022.

Our Healthcare Manager Degree Completion Program

The B.S. in Healthcare Management at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is one of our bachelor’s completion degree programs. These programs are designed to accommodate adult learners who experienced an interruption while in an academic degree program. Courses in the program include adapting to changing healthcare environments, analytical skills, concepts of ethical leadership in healthcare, and how to utilize research skills and data. This exciting degree completion program also explores cultural competency and current issues in health practice.

Our bachelor’s degree in healthcare management requires students to transfer at least 30 previously earned semester credits and allows up to 90 transferred credits, or 75% of the bachelor of science degree. In addition, we accept prior college credits from technical colleges, and credits from past College Level Examination Programs (CLEP), Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), and the American Council on Education (ACE) resulting from industry and military training. Regardless of how long ago your past college credits were earned, there is no time limit for our acceptance of these credits.

When you submit transcripts and other transferable experiences an admissions counselor will create a personalized program that takes transferred credits into consideration. Your counselor also can discuss tuition and fees, and assist with financial aid for eligible students.

Online Learning for Adult Students

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota provides up-to-date online learning opportunities that meet our standards for student engagement. Our B.S. in Healthcare Management degree completion program allows students to discuss and learn together, and to network for future collaborations and career

enrichment. Our dedicated faculty upholds the traditional values of Lasallian Catholic education. We support our students as individuals who are embarked on a life path that builds character and community, by providing education that is wholehearted, genuine, caring, engaging, uplifting, and faithful to our values.

Explore New Careers in Healthcare With Online Degree Programs

Whether you already work in healthcare or want to start a new career, this degree completion program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota can help. The B.S. in Healthcare Management program is packed full of relevant, interesting coursework, taught by experienced mentors. You will have the opportunity to explore current issues in healthcare, right along with students who are as interested as you are in healthcare and management. For more information, contact us today.