Deciphering Healthcare Administration vs. Management

The modern healthcare system is evolving rapidly, requiring expert leadership to ensure smooth operations at healthcare facilities around the country. With a rising demand for healthcare managers and administrators, this career path offers strong potential for those looking to make an impact. If you’re considering a future in healthcare, it’s a good idea to explore the differences between healthcare management vs. healthcare administration.

If you’re ready to start your journey in healthcare, check out the on-campus and online healthcare degrees from Bryant & Stratton College.

Healthcare Management vs. Healthcare Administration: Is There Really a Difference?

On the surface, the terms “healthcare management” and “healthcare administration” may seem interchangeable. In reality, while the fields overlap, they serve distinct functions within a healthcare facility. Many professionals move between both fields over the course of their careers, and job titles may vary by organization, adding to the confusion.

In general, both fields focus on the business operations of healthcare facilities. Those in healthcare administration typically develop and implement organizational strategy, oversee financial operations and recruit top talent in the healthcare industry. Those in healthcare management, meanwhile, focus more on day-to-day operations and supervisory tasks, ensuring that individual departments or units are running efficiently and effectively.

What Is Healthcare Management?

So, what is healthcare management? This field is defined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as the process of planning and directing business activities for a healthcare facility. Healthcare managers are often responsible for the following:

• Supervising staff
• Creating schedules
• Optimizing workflow
• Managing patient relations

Many healthcare managers work in healthcare facilities, including hospitals, physicians’ offices and long-term care centers. However, they do not typically provide direct care to patients, and they often spend a significant amount of time working in an office-like setting.

What Is Healthcare Administration?

Now that you know what healthcare management is, you might be wondering: What Is healthcare administration? Similar to healthcare management, the BLS defines healthcare administration as the process of overseeing the business operations of a healthcare facility. Healthcare administrators may be responsible for:

• Developing and implementing policy
• Creating an organizational strategy
• Developing hiring strategies to attract and retain top talent
• Ensuring that the facility remains in compliance with all legal and regulatory guidelines

Healthcare administrators may work in clinical settings, such as hospitals or long-term care facilities. Generally, they work in the administrative offices that oversee these facilities.

Careers in Healthcare Management

Blending healthcare knowledge with business strategy, careers in healthcare management offer both personal and professional growth. With a wide range of responsibilities, the field gives you a chance to align your interests with your long-term career goals.

Some of the leading career opportunities in healthcare management include:

Medical and Health Service Manager

A medical and health service manager is an executive-level employee who is responsible for managing business operations at a healthcare facility. The scope of the role varies based on the employer as well as the type of healthcare services provided. However, common responsibilities include:

• Improving the delivery of healthcare services
• Maximizing the use of available resources
• Increasing operational efficiency
• Managing financial operations (such as patient fees and billing)

Medical Office Manager

A medical office manager oversees daily operations at medical offices, such as physicians’ offices or specialty clinics. Primarily, they focus on the non-clinical aspects of running a medical practice. Job responsibilities may include:

• Overseeing the front desk
• Supervising staff
• Creating a staff schedule
• Improving patient satisfaction ratings
• Developing office policies 
• Providing staff with training to support their professional development

Medical Office Assistant

A medical office assistant performs basic administrative duties at medical offices, often under the supervision of a medical office manager. Their job duties vary based on the preferences of their employer and the size of the medical office, but may include:

• Greeting patients and checking them in
• Recording patient information
• Scheduling appointments
• Collecting fees
• Answering phones

Benefits Coordinator

Benefits coordinators play an important role in human resources (HR) departments at healthcare facilities. They may be responsible for:

• Overseeing employee benefits packages
• Recruiting and retaining top talent in the healthcare field
• Selecting benefits plans for employees
• Assisting employees with insurance enrollments

Careers in Healthcare Administration

For those driven to improve healthcare delivery and make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes, a career in healthcare administration offers a rewarding path. Much like healthcare management, this field requires a strong foundation in business principles, strategic thinking and a deep understanding of healthcare systems.

Individuals interested in healthcare administration typically earn a degree in a related field (such as health services or public health) and gain professional business experience. Some of the top careers in healthcare administration include:

Patient Support Specialist

Patient support specialists work to connect patients with the resources they need to achieve the best possible health outcomes. Due to the high levels of patient interaction, this role tends to attract individuals who are empathetic and compassionate, as well as organized and attentive to detail. Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting patients with paperwork
• Identifying affordable solutions for families who need financial assistance
• Referring patients to outside services
• Developing educational materials to help support community health goals

Medical Administrative Assistant

While medical administrative assistants are primarily responsible for clerical tasks at medical offices, they often serve as the face of the organization. As a result, they should be friendly, welcoming individuals who are committed to providing patients with the best possible service. Common job responsibilities include:

• Updating patient records
• Scheduling patient appointments
• Answering the phones
• Processing insurance information 
• Managing office supply inventory

Patient Coordinator

A patient coordinator serves as a liaison between a healthcare provider and the patient, giving them the ability to take on both an administrative and patient-facing role. The scope of this position may vary, but some common job responsibilities include:

• Providing patients with information about procedures and medication
• Answering patients’ questions
• Coordinating patient care programs

Administrative Coordinator

An administrative coordinator provides office support for healthcare organizations, which impacts both operational efficiency and the overall patient experience. The job duties for this position vary based on the type of healthcare services provided. However, general responsibilities include:

• Planning office activities
• Organizing office spaces
• Publishing employee work assignments
• Maintaining employee records
• Being a liaison between office administration and healthcare workers

Patient Services Representative

Serving as the first point of contact between patients and the healthcare facility, patient services representatives play a crucial role in the patient experience. These healthcare administration professionals should be welcoming, approachable and organized, as they frequently interact with patients. Responsibilities include:

• Greeting and checking in patients
• Maintaining patient records
• Answering questions
• Soliciting patient feedback

Social and Community Service Manager

Social and community service managers may be employed by healthcare facilities to improve patient relations, increase engagement and serve the community at large. They are typically responsible for:

• Developing social outreach programs
• Analyzing local demographics to determine community needs 
• Building communication strategies to improve program success

Healthcare Management Degrees

The education requirements for healthcare management positions depend heavily on the position and employer. For example, medical office assistant positions often require someone to have a high school diploma or a specialty diploma, such as a Medical Office Assistant Diploma.

However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most positions require at least an undergraduate degree. An Associate of Applied Science in Medical Administrative Assistant degree can equip you with the foundational skills needed to pursue medical administrative assistant positions. A Bachelor of Business Administration in Medical Services Management, meanwhile, can provide the necessary technical and practical skills, as well as industry-specific knowledge.

Healthcare Administration Degrees

Similar to healthcare management roles, the level of education required for healthcare administration positions varies. Some employers are comfortable hiring entry-level employees who have a high school diploma or have completed a specialized diploma program, such as a Health Services Administration Assistant Diploma. Others prefer candidates to have completed an undergraduate degree program.

Some undergraduate programs that prepare students for a career in healthcare administration include the Associate of Applied Science in Health Services Administration  degree and the Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration degree. Both offer an industry-focused curriculum that prepares graduates to oversee business operations at healthcare facilities.

Start Your Healthcare Career Journey Today!

Are you considering a career in healthcare administration vs. healthcare management? Bryant & Stratton College offers healthcare programs designed to prepare you for success in both these in-demand fields. Our curriculum delivers the practical, technical and clinical knowledge needed to thrive.

Our undergraduate degree programs include:

• Associate of Applied Science in Medical Administrative Assistant
• Associate of Applied Science in Health Services Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration 
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Medical Services Management

We also offer two diploma programs for those looking to fast-track their entry into the workforce: the Medical Office Assistant Diploma and the Health Services Administration Assistant Diploma. Regardless of the program you choose, you’ll enjoy personalized support as you prepare for your healthcare career.

Request more information about our healthcare degree and diploma programs today.