DOWNLOAD PDF PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "DOWNLOAD PDF PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION"

Kevin Alexander
5 years ago
Views:

1 Chapter 1 : Public Health Administration & Policy MPH - School of Public Health - University of Minnesota Achieving health equity and improving health outcomes means eliminating health disparities - differences in length and quality of life and rates and severity of disease and disability because of social position, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, education, or other factors. It is certainly true that there are distinct similarities between the two, but there are also some very significant differences. It is very important that you understand both the similarities and differences so that you can choose the degree that is most relevant to your goals. The program is designed for those who want to work in local, federal, or state health agencies. They work together that are actually at grassroots level in the community, ensuring overall health is maintained and improved, and putting methods in place to stop disease outbreaks. With this degree, you will do some administrative work as well. However, the breadth of your job will be to be out there, on the ground, in the community. Your goal will be to educate and inform people about healthy choices, preventing diseases as you go along. With this degree, you will get to work in an interdisciplinary field with a variety of other professionals who focus on disease and health in entire populations. You will discover new diseases, describe them, and respond to their patterns. You will focus on the financing, the development, the operation, and the evaluation of various health initiatives and programs in the communities. It will generally take you two years to complete this degree program, although some accelerated programs also exist. You can also study online, allowing you to study and work at the same time. You will become a strong leader, having all the necessary skills to serve the public as a whole. You will also be able to work in both the public and private sectors. The program has been created to make sure that you learn how to control and understand, as well as analyze your environment. In so doing, you will be able to promote good and positive changes in nonprofit and public arenas. This degree aims to deliver executive leaders who can manage programs related to public administration. It usually takes two years to complete this program and students can choose between full time, part time, distance, and online learning depending on the school they apply for. There are usually quite significant differences between the standard profile of an MPH student and that of an MPA student. In contrast, MPA students usually come from a background involving things, such as politics, business, or mathematics. However, this is not necessarily a requirement, although this does depend on the school that you enroll with. Curriculum There are significant differences between the curriculum of the two degrees. With the MPH, you will study topics, such as: Epidemiology Social and behavioral aspects of health Health care systems and financing Program evaluation Law and ethical issues in public health Quantitative and qualitative research methods Sociology Health care administration The curriculum, as such, combines sociology, science, and organizational topics. You will learn how to apply research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, to public health. You can also usually choose a certain concentration, so that your degree program becomes more specific to your personal needs and interests. Different schools offer different concentrations, so consider this when you are deciding where to enroll. In an MPA program, by contrast, you will generally study elements such as: Page 1

2 Chapter 2 : What is Public Health Administration? Careers In Public Health Public health administrators focus on community-wide disease prevention and health promotion. As the name of the profession shows, there are two parts to their jobs. Public health administrators try to improve the welfare of the community at large and run the organizations that disseminate. Save Career A Day in the Life of a Public Health Administrator Public health administrators focus on community-wide disease prevention and health promotion. As the name of the profession shows, there are two parts to their jobs. Public health administrators try to improve the welfare of the community at large and run the organizations that disseminate information about health. The majority are employed by governmental health agencies, while others work for not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions. They assess community health issues and educate members about the prevention or alleviation of health problems. The public health administrator executes community outreach programs to make people aware of dangers such as lead poisoning and to address chronic problems afflicting the community, like sexually transmitted diseases. She creates budgets, hires staff, organizes the office, and obtains any necessary equipment. Whenever she notices a health related trend or event, she must write a report on what she believes its effect on the community will be. The public health administrator must be prepared to delicately balance limited budgets with the compassion needed to provide basic care. Since she is often faced with contradictory information and demands, she must be able to make decisions. She also needs self-confidence when called on to defend her decisions to public officials or the press. The administrator attends community events frequently. Usually she devotes five and a half days a week to her career, but some are on twenty-four hour call. In an era of shrinking health care budgets, officials are expected to complete projects faster and with less support staff than ever before. This has forced many administrators to exercise their creative juices in designing new ways to handle the issues they face. Paying Your Dues There is no one way to become a public health administrator, but most professionals have worked in related fields and acquired advanced degrees. While health-related courses, business administration, and finance are important parts of your academic background, make time for communications and English, too. You will need to write and present many reports professionally and confidently. Many administrators receive their degrees after having worked in other areas in the field. They are often former health inspectors, who insure that consumer products meet federal health and safety standards, or regulatory inspectors, who enforce observation of public welfare laws and regulations. Those with keen entrepreneurial skills and backgrounds are encouraged to enter the field, bringing their efficiency to it. Some people gain their initial training in the Peace Corps before returning to school. Many graduate programs offer specialized joint degrees, such as a combined health care management and law degree. While dozens of schools offer graduate and undergraduate degrees in public health administration, only twenty-six are accredited. Whether you choose an accredited school or not is largely dependent on your plan of study, career expectations, and financial situation. Public health administrators enjoy a combination of study and work throughout their careers. Most public health administration students enroll in internship programs to gain experience. Once they start working, they are expected to take continuing education courses every year to keep up with the latest in health care services. Beginning in school and continuing throughout their careers, public health administrators should read trade papers about health care and the literature supplied by its providers. Present and Future A century ago, health care officials were concerned entirely with preventing and controlling infectious diseases. As the variety of factors affecting health gained recognition, the field of health care administration was born. Should national health care reform legislation be passed, it will further change terms of delivery, provision and payment for health care services. Future public health administrators will have to display creativity and flexibility in finding solutions to health care problems. They are often dedicated and well integrated into the system and are only new to their particular positions, not the field as a whole. New administrators learn about the problems faced by the community they work in and get their first tastes of running an office. Trying to get people to take basic health precautions can be frustrating when they ignore crucial advice. Administrators sometimes move from working on public health for a public office to working Page 2

3 on public health in the private sector, such as in hospitals, where they can continue their satisfying work in a more temperate environment. Others remain with the communities of which they have become a part. She has become a critical member of the community, depended on for practical and trustworthy advice. Administrators enjoy the recognition they receive from the community and public officials. Page 3

4 Chapter 3 : Master of Public Administration (MPA) Degree - Health Care Management The field of public health administration concerns itself with the administration, leadership, and management of health care systems, such as hospitals, networks, and public health systems. Request Information The field of public health administration concerns itself with the administration, leadership, and management of health care systems, such as hospitals, networks, and public health systems. Those who hold an MPHA degree can either be generalists, who hold responsibility for the management of an entire facility; or specialists, who hold responsibility for the management of a specific department. You will be able to complete a social mission and make a real difference to the world. The decisions you make can lead to health improvements for millions of everyday people. It is likely, if you are interested in this field, that you feel socially responsible and that you genuinely care about the health outcomes of the community. You have a great number of career opportunities. The health care industry itself is the largest in our country, as well as the second largest employer. Eleven million individuals work in the industry at present, and almost every new job in the private sector that was developed over the past five years is related, in some way, to health care. Furthermore, you can work across the different sectors and in either rural or urban communities. The earning potential is very good. While it is likely that you have entered this field because you feel it is your social duty, the fact that you can earn a six figure income is also a nice bonus. Your career will be very flexible because you can go in a lot of different directions. You will also have a number of strong transferable skills, which means that you can change jobs at any point as well. You will have far more opportunities to manage and to advance your career. Your role will be highly visible in the community, as well as being highly valued. Essentially, you will be a do-gooder, and this will be appreciated by the people on the receiving end. You will have the opportunity to continuously improve yourself. Health care management is a fluid role, which means that you will constantly have to study in order to keep up-to-date with developments. Whatever role you choose, you will have the opportunity to drive positive change in the community that you serve. There are tens of thousands of organizations you can work for, both in this country and abroad, so it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact career. During your degree program, however, you should be able to receive guidance from a career counselor to assist you in finding the job that suits you best. That being said, some of the positions you may commonly be offered include: Working in supplies departments of consulting firms, pharmaceutical companies, and disposable supplies and equipment manufacturers Working with federal, state, or local government agencies to drive new health care policies Working for NGOs and nonprofit organizations, such as the American Hospital Association or the Red Cross. Those with MPHA degrees are found anywhere from middle managers in small health care organizations to CEOs of large metropolitan hospitals. Usually, you will have to start from the bottom and work your way up to those positions. That being said, you should always be able to take on a leadership position. How to Start a Career in Public Health Administration If you are interested in a career in public health administration, you have a range of degrees available to you, ranging from bachelor to doctorate programs. You may also have the opportunity to choose a certain specialization. If you really want to be successful, opt for a program that requires an internship for completion, as this gives you real world experience that is in high demand in the professional world. Additionally, make sure you check what licensure requirements exist in your state. Try, as much as possible, to build on your managerial skills, be that in project management or by growing into managerial positions. Finally, you can enroll in a graduate degree program. There are significant differences between these degrees, as well as some overlap, so you need to take some time to consider the implications of each of the options. This is also one of the reasons why it is so beneficial to gain some professional experience first, as it will tell you more about your personal likes and dislikes, as well as career aspirations. Program of Study From the moment you decide that you are interested in the field of public health administration, your studies will start to focus on three principal areas. Studying the theory, concepts, and skills of management. These include areas, such as financial management, leadership, law, economics, quantitative methods, organizational behavior, and planning. Studying the health care industry itself. These include areas, such as health and human behavior, epidemiology, and medical care Page 4

5 organizations. Applying and integrating all materials obtained during the study, showing a greater understanding of management concepts and how these apply to public health administration. This is usually done through an exam, paper, or major project. Skills Employers Look For Last but not least, there are a number of skills that employers look for specifically in potential public health administration candidates. It is important, therefore, that you build on these. The right education Having experience in the health care industry Having excellent communication skills Being a strong leader and manager Holding business planning skills Understanding quantitative and qualitative research methods Standing behind the philosophy, mission, and values of the organization Personal character The field of public health administration is interesting and varied and working in this area offers a great deal of personal satisfaction. You will literally be able to change the world. Do, therefore, consider strongly which area of public health administration is most suitable to your personal interests and needs. Page 5

6 Chapter 4 : Master of Health Administration - Wikipedia Public Health Administration Degrees Online A degree in Public Health Administration provides an individual with the skills needed to work in the public health field in a managerial, organizational capacity. This health administration career involves managing healthcare practices, including large medical groups or physician organizations. Choosing a Career in Health Administration Health administration jobs are as varied as the people who work in them. When deciding on a healthcare administration career path and the type of degree you should earn, there are several factors you should take into consideration, including your skills, interests, strengths, weaknesses and even your personality traits. Do you enjoy working closely with others? Managing the day-to-day running of nursing homes and extended elderly care facilities. Running inpatient or outpatient mental health facilities and keeping staff well-trained and ready to handle the unique situations that may happen at these types of facilities. Managing all aspects of running a hospital, from high level personnel to financial to areas such as surgical management and equipment. Inventory management and personnel safety; ensuring compliance with WHO standards in regard to bio-waste disposal Salary: But in reality, that vision of what a health administrator does is definitely not the whole story. Though working in a hospital setting is quite common, there are numerous other paths a healthcare administration professional can take, and the responsibilities of each vary widely. The education and experience required for a health administration position also lends itself well to other areas of the healthcare field. Administrators could choose to move into private practice, managing large groups of physicians. They could do the same with ambulatory services, including groups of clinics. Some find work in laboratories, where the put their skills to work behind the scenes, making sure the laboratories and diagnostic areas are safe, secure and well-stocked. The same can be said for those who find their way into pharmaceutical services. Another important area for health administration is nursing homes. Though this usually takes a more specific education or experience, nursing home administration is growing rapidly, and is expected to grow even more in the coming years. Home health care is another area that needs strong candidates to oversee both the long-term and day-to-day activities of these organizations. The graph below helps illustrate how varied the careers are for healthcare administrators beyond working in a hospital. Nursing Home Administration The golden years are likely to last much longer than they did for previous generations, thanks to exciting new medical technology that has assured we can live longer, healthier lives. In the future, there will be a greater demand for home health services, assisted living centers and nursing home care. As a result, more nursing home administrators will be needed to ensure that the population of older adults will be well-cared for in the coming years. In addition to working to manage the staff, finances and admissions at a nursing home facility, nursing home administrators are also responsible for maintaining a regular maintenance schedule of the building and facilities. Top-notch care for nursing home patients is always a consideration, so hiring and salary become a top priority as well. A nursing home administrator might work for a single facility or could run a system that has several nursing homes and assisted living facilities spread across a large regional area. In all states, nursing home administrators must be licensed; though the requirements vary, most states require the proper education, a certain amount of experience in a healthcare setting, passing an examination and completing a training program that has been approved by the state. The skills needed by a hospital administrator are equally as specific and entirely necessary to make the most out of the position and include: Management skills Healthcare administrators must be able to manage operations, budgets, staffing issues and much more. Being able to juggle all of those at once is a skill that takes time to hone, but one that is definitely worthwhile for potential employers. Being able to work closely with a variety of strong personalities and keep the peace among all of them is vitally important for anyone who is working with an organization or business, and those in the world of healthcare are not different. Peacemaking skills, the ability to listen, and being able to make decisions with the best interests of the team in mind are crucial. Detail-oriented, have strong analytical skills, and be able to sum up a situation very quickly in order to make a smart decision. Top-notch communication skills, the ability to find creative solutions and a general willingness to think outside the box. The ability to lead those who are looking to them Page 6

7 for guidance, and motivate and inspire the team to do more for the patient, the system and each other How do these skills translate into more salary for the seasoned health administration professional? Popular Skills for Healthcare Administrator What to Expect from Health Administration Salary Those who enter health administration typically have a great deal of experience in a clinical setting before moving up the ranks. For instance, many health administrators begin as nurses who moved into leadership positions, then chose to expand their work by earning a higher degree or taking advantage of openings in administration. Due to this extensive experience and higher degree status, salaries in healthcare administration tend to be above average, depending on the position. But that is just the beginning of the story. Pay tends to be commensurate with experience, which is why those in the later years of their career might make 52 percent more than the national average, those who have some serious experience might make 24 percent more, and those who are in the middle of their career might make 10 percent more. On the other hand, those who are just moving into an entry-level position are likely to make about 16 percent below the national average. Out of votes from health administrators on Payscale. Below, the February salaries reported by Salary. Chapter 5 : What does public health administration mean? 23, Public Health Administration jobs available on theinnatdunvilla.com Apply to Public Health Nurse, Adjunct Faculty, Practice Manager and more! Chapter 6 : Masters in Public Health Administration - Everglades University Professionals in public health administration work to improve the welfare of the community at large, serving as leaders of public sector and nonprofit organizations that provide health services and disseminate information about health and wellness. Chapter 7 : Healthcare Administration Careers theinnatdunvilla.com The Master of Health Administration (MHA or M.H.A.), or Master of Healthcare Administration, is a master's-level professional degree granted to students who complete a course of study in the knowledge and competencies needed for careers in health administration, involving the management of hospitals and other health services organizations, as well as public health infrastructure and consulting. Chapter 8 : Public Health Administrator Salary PayScale Public health education and administration officers in the Commissioned Corps play a vital role in the Commissioned Corps. You will have opportunities to advance your career while performing much-needed public health work in underserved communities throughout the Nation and the world. Chapter 9 : Masters in Public Health vs Public Administration Careers In Public Health Definition of public health administration in the theinnatdunvilla.com dictionary. Meaning of public health administration. Information and translations of public health administration in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Page 7

Health Care Management

The University of Alabama at Birmingham 1 Health Care Management Program Director: Bryan K Breland, DrPH, JD, MPA The Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management (HCM) was established at UAB in 1982.