3 answers
Desiree
Student
Kernersville, North Carolina
1
Question
Updated
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What skills do you think are most important for someone pursuing healthcare management, and how did you develop them?
I am a college sophomore and certified pharmacy majoring in healthcare management.
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3 answers
Ben Green
Strategy Manager
4
Answers
United States
Updated
Ben’s Answer
To gain the best experience at your age and level, focus on getting exposure. Try working in a doctor's office over the summer to see how things work and how reimbursement is handled. You can also do this in a hospital. While the job itself will teach you some things, watching and learning from other roles around you (nurses, physicians, technicians, pharmacists, medical coders/billing etc) will be the real learning opportunity. This will help you apply what you learn in your healthcare management classes to a future role in administration.
Susannah Hope
Consulting
5
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Susannah’s Answer
Hi Desiree!
To add onto the other comments, I think it is important to stay up on industry changes. Healthcare is a rapidly changing industry and there are changing regulations at the national and state level. Being aware of and understanding regulatory requirements and changes is really important. Develop ways to stay up-to-date with industry changes - e.g., google alerts, subscriptions to newsletters from industry organizations, etc.
Another area that it is important to consider is data - patient data is a major target for bad actors as it is very valuable. It is becoming increasing important to understand data and the protections it needs (whether required by law or as leading industry practices). More and more organizations are becoming targets of cyberattacks where patient data is the target. Understanding data risks and how to protect data can help differentiate your skills.
At the end of the day, continue to be curious and willing to learn! Good luck with your career journey!!
To add onto the other comments, I think it is important to stay up on industry changes. Healthcare is a rapidly changing industry and there are changing regulations at the national and state level. Being aware of and understanding regulatory requirements and changes is really important. Develop ways to stay up-to-date with industry changes - e.g., google alerts, subscriptions to newsletters from industry organizations, etc.
Another area that it is important to consider is data - patient data is a major target for bad actors as it is very valuable. It is becoming increasing important to understand data and the protections it needs (whether required by law or as leading industry practices). More and more organizations are becoming targets of cyberattacks where patient data is the target. Understanding data risks and how to protect data can help differentiate your skills.
At the end of the day, continue to be curious and willing to learn! Good luck with your career journey!!
Inna Tysoe
Analyst
2
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Inna’s Answer
What kind of management? If you mean public administration (which is what I do) then the answer is to be well-rounded. You have to know how the public health system works (and doesn't work) in practice, what scope of practice rules are and which department oversees the scope of the different populations, what the interplay is between the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and your state, what your state's state plan says (and doesn't), and (IMO most importantly) how providers get paid. Not how much, how.
I developed those skills by doing. I was fortunate in that I had four amazing mentors in my career and in that I have always been very interested in healthcare. So my (very boring) advice is to apply for an analyst position in public administration in a department where you can work with a mentor who will guide you. And then just do as much as you can. Work in policy, fiscal, workforce, Medicaid, grants, eligibility, benefits. Work in outpatient and inpatient, oversee the inclusion of breakthrough drugs/therapies like CAR-T, in behavioral health, in dental.
It will take time, but you will get there.
I developed those skills by doing. I was fortunate in that I had four amazing mentors in my career and in that I have always been very interested in healthcare. So my (very boring) advice is to apply for an analyst position in public administration in a department where you can work with a mentor who will guide you. And then just do as much as you can. Work in policy, fiscal, workforce, Medicaid, grants, eligibility, benefits. Work in outpatient and inpatient, oversee the inclusion of breakthrough drugs/therapies like CAR-T, in behavioral health, in dental.
It will take time, but you will get there.