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If you’re looking to join a rapidly expanding industry, healthcare is the perfect place to start.
And if you’d prefer to stay out of the clinical side, consider a role in healthcare administration instead.
Healthcare administrators focus on critical tasks like staffing, operational efficiency, and managing finances.
To dive deeper into what this career entails, I’ve put together this presentation for you—so keep reading!
Article Table of Contents
Job Description of a Healthcare Administrator in Alaska
They also identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes.
For a clearer understanding of their responsibilities, take a look here:
- Improving efficiency
- Managing finances and budget
- Maintaining health records
- Coordinating staff schedules
- Overseeing hiring and salaries
- Addressing the needs of doctors, nurses, and other staff
- Ensuring the facility is following healthcare laws and regulations
Each employer has the liberty to give or take away from your duties as a healthcare administrator.
This is a normal part of any job, especially when it comes to the type of facility you work for.
Ideal Candidates for a Healthcare Administrator
Nurses are uniquely suited for healthcare administration roles.
Their close interactions with patients and families give them deep insights into patient needs.
At the same time, their hands-on experience makes them highly aware of the hospital’s requirements in staffing, supplies, medication, and more.
The preferred candidate for this role typically holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration.
You’ll first need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by nursing training to pursue this path.
Once you earn your master’s, the doors to diverse career opportunities in healthcare administration open widely.
Steps to Become a Healthcare Administrator in Alaska
Regardless of the career you want, you’ll have some steps to follow.
Next, we’ll see which are the steps for becoming a healthcare administrator in Alaska.
Pursue a BSN Degree From an Accredited Program
Leadership roles in nursing generally call for a bachelor’s degree.
Nurses can meet this requirement by first obtaining an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and then advancing to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
While a standard BSN program takes around four years, faster alternatives like accelerated BSN programs or RN-to-BSN bridge programs can help shorten the path.
Build Experience in Nursing or Healthcare Administration
Registered nurses transitioning to administrative roles need to gain hands-on clinical experience.
You have several ways in which you can accomplish this.
You can serve as a:
- Nurse team leader,
- Supervisor,
- Manager
These positions help you develop key leadership and administrative skills to better your resume.
Explore a Master’s Degree
Although a master’s degree isn’t required for healthcare administration roles, it can greatly enhance your career growth and earning potential.
Pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) generally takes 1-3 years, depending on whether you study full- or part-time.
Additionally, master’s programs in public health or dual degrees in nursing and management can also provide excellent pathways into healthcare administration.
Pursue Professional Certification
Obtaining a specialized certification can reinforce your expertise in healthcare administration.
Nurses might explore certifications such as the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) or Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML).
These credentials typically require a few years of leadership experience, along with passing a certification exam.
Schools for Healthcare Administrators in Alaska
The first thing to understand about healthcare administrator training is that it can take anywhere from 4 to 8 years to complete.
However, if you’re committed and focused, the length of your studies will feel less significant in the long run.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks 
This university offers through the College of Business and Security Management the Master of Healthcare Management and Leadership.
This program was introduced in 2003 and it focuses on:
- Understanding of healthcare management,
- Healthcare finance and economics
- Healthcare data analytics and leadership
At this university, there are 3 ways of getting the position you dream of:
- A full degree online program with 30 credits, called Master of Healthcare Management and Leadership (MHML)
- A certificate program offered online with 12 credits to earn
- It’s called the Healthcare Management and Leadership Certificate program
- The Healthcare concentration under the MBA degree program
Out of the 3 programs, only the first one is accredited.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| The University of Alaska Fairbanks | 505 S Chandalar, Fairbanks, AK 99775 |
Income of a Healthcare Administrator in Alaska
You’ve gained valuable insights into this profession, but what about the salary?
Healthcare administrators in Alaska typically earn about $113,954 annually.
If you’re curious about which cities offer higher salaries for healthcare admins, take a look at the upcoming table for details!
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fairbanks | $116,151 |
| Anchorage | $115,314 |
| Juneau | $115,314 |
| Ester | $115,209 |
| Circle | $114,582 |
| Deering | $114,582 |
| Big Lake | $114,477 |
| Brevig Mission | $114,163 |
| Saint Michael | $114,163 |
| Yakutat | $113,744 |
Regional Salary in Alaska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 660 | $130,760 | $62.86 | $209,530 | $65,800 |
| Fairbanks, AK | 150 | $146,900 | $70.62 | $225,590 | $75,770 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Get a job as a healthcare administrator in Alaska?
These are some of the ways in which you can land a job faster:
- Connect with healthcare professionals
- Attend industry events
- Showcase your leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Gain relevant work experience through internships or entry-level positions
- Develop a strong understanding of healthcare regulations, policies, and best practices
- Leverage your education, certifications, and any specialized expertise
Is there an age limit to become a healthcare administrator in Alaska?
The minimum age accepted for this occupation is 21.
This makes sense since the training for this occupation takes between 4 and 8 years.
Does Alaska have just 1 program for future healthcare administrators?
No.
The school presented here is just an example.
Alaska has many other schools where you can earn other diplomas, even at the undergraduate level.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrator by State