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As the healthcare industry continues to grow, it has become an attractive field for job seekers.
If direct patient care isn’t your preference, healthcare administration offers a wealth of rewarding career options.
If you want to know more, all you have to do is read on.
Article Table of Contents
Healthcare Administrator Job Overview in Florida
Healthcare administrators are instrumental in maintaining the smooth operation of healthcare facilities.
They identify areas that need improvement and implement solutions to address those issues.
Key duties typically include:
- Enhancing operational efficiency
- Managing financial planning and budgets
- Maintaining accurate health records
- Organizing staff schedules
- Overseeing hiring, compensation, and staffing decisions
- Supporting medical staff and healthcare professionals
- Ensuring compliance with healthcare laws and regulations
As a healthcare administrator, your responsibilities will evolve to meet the changing demands of the healthcare environment.
Who Makes an Ideal Healthcare Administrator in Florida?
Nurses transitioning into administration often excel in this role.
Their hands-on experience with patient care, along with their understanding of staffing, supplies, and medication management, equips them with a unique skill set for overseeing healthcare operations.
In addition to experience, successful healthcare administrators possess:
- Strong attention to detail
- Effective multitasking abilities
- Proficiency with computers and relevant software
- Excellent communication skills
- Constant awareness and the ability to stay alert
If your background is in a different field of administration, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the basics of healthcare to succeed in this role.
Steps to Becoming a Healthcare Administrator in Florida
Here’s an outline of the steps to becoming a healthcare administrator in Florida.
Earn a Degree from an Accredited Program
Your journey begins with a high school diploma or GED.
From there, it’s essential to enroll in a specialized educational program.
For those with a nursing background, pursuing an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) followed by a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is a common pathway.
These programs typically take 2-4 years, though accelerated options may be available.
Consider a Master’s Degree
To advance in the field, you’ll typically need a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), which can take 1-3 years depending on whether you study full-time or part-time.
Other options include degrees in public health or dual programs combining nursing and management, both of which provide a solid foundation for a career in healthcare administration.
Obtain Professional Certification
Earning certifications can further enhance your qualifications.
Nurses may pursue certifications such as the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) or Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML).
These certifications usually require leadership experience and passing an exam.
Build Experience in Healthcare
Once you’ve completed your education and obtained certification, gaining practical experience is crucial.
Roles like nurse team leader, supervisor, or manager can provide valuable experience that prepares you for the responsibilities of a healthcare administrator.
Healthcare Administrator Programs in Florida
It’s time you saw a school or two where you can get trained for this position.
University of West Florida 
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a career in healthcare administration, there are several schools in Florida offering relevant training programs.
Designed specifically for healthcare professionals aspiring to advance their careers, this fully online program provides the convenience of studying from anywhere with internet access.
Their MHA program competencies are closely aligned with the career expectations of health service managers and hospital administrators in our region.
The curriculum is tailored to support early-to-mid career professionals in healthcare administration, emphasizing innovative and evidence-based instruction.
This program focuses on building leadership skills, fostering professional integrity, and deepening your understanding of the healthcare industry.
Upon completing this degree, you will be able to:
- Exhibit strong written and verbal communication abilities
- Incorporate constructive feedback for ongoing professional growth
- Utilize accurate data to create and present clear, credible reports
- Identify opportunities for organizational growth and development
- Foster an inclusive organizational culture that promotes teamwork among diverse individuals
- Anticipate challenges and develop strategic solutions
- Differentiate between leadership theories and apply them in various contexts
- Understand and uphold professional standards and ethical guidelines
- Assess the interconnectedness of access, quality, cost, resource allocation, accountability, and community impact
- Evaluate the structure and delivery of healthcare services
- Analyze and synthesize information to inform decision-making
- Stay informed about industry trends by researching various sources
- Assess and align organizational mission, vision, and goals with strategic priorities
- Recommend quality improvement strategies to enhance planning and management
- Apply financial planning techniques to achieve organizational objectives
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of West Florida | 11000 University Pkwy, Pensacola, FL 32514 |
Salary Outlook for Healthcare Administrators in Florida
Wondering about your potential salary as a healthcare administrator in Florida?
On average, healthcare administrators in the state earn approximately $99,409 per year.
Check the table below for a detailed breakdown of salaries across different citiess across Florida.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boca Raton | $102,443 |
| Greenacres | $102,234 |
| South Bay | $101,815 |
| Loxahatchee | $101,711 |
| Wellington | $101,501 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $101,083 |
| Miami | $100,978 |
| Marathon | $100,874 |
| Hialeah | $100,560 |
| Pembroke Pines | $100,455 |
Regional Salary in Florida
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 1,000 | $123,870 | $59.55 | $227,900 | $62,050 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 270 | $107,890 | $51.87 | $155,430 | $56,480 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 860 | $114,360 | $54.98 | $186,660 | $60,790 |
| Gainesville, FL | 700 | $125,230 | $60.21 | $171,080 | $66,380 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 140 | $108,170 | $52.01 | $152,490 | $63,560 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 3,020 | $126,050 | $60.6 | $218,210 | $63,690 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 790 | $132,020 | $63.47 | $# | $60,840 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 10,570 | $126,340 | $60.74 | $206,800 | $67,340 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 600 | $129,330 | $62.18 | $224,910 | $73,840 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 1,230 | $123,170 | $59.22 | $207,040 | $62,400 |
| Ocala, FL | 380 | $110,010 | $52.89 | $168,530 | $60,160 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 4,760 | $115,950 | $55.74 | $170,090 | $63,550 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 700 | $136,850 | $65.79 | $# | $62,520 |
| Panama City, FL | 270 | $102,840 | $49.44 | $155,530 | $59,300 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 630 | $105,950 | $50.94 | $157,790 | $61,810 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 800 | $105,320 | $50.63 | $153,380 | $61,000 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 230 | $117,370 | $56.43 | $170,670 | $63,920 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 240 | $111,450 | $53.58 | $161,730 | $65,090 |
| Sebring, FL | 120 | $113,040 | $54.34 | $162,060 | $57,600 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 970 | $106,710 | $51.3 | $177,490 | $46,990 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 5,770 | $130,730 | $62.85 | $212,780 | $67,520 |
| The Villages, FL | 180 | $114,910 | $55.25 | $190,260 | $58,660 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are salaries good for healthcare administrators in Florida?
According to salary.com, where the data in the salary table above comes from, the median salary in Florida is just under $100k.
Yet, there are many cities where you can earn more than that.
Add into consideration other factors, and you could look at completely different figures than the ones shown.
Where does a healthcare administrator in Florida work?
Here are the most common places where you’ll see such a professional:
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Outpatient clinics
- For the government
- Physicians’ offices
Which skills do I need as a healthcare administrator in Florida?
These are the most important skills for this job:
- Knowledge of healthcare laws and regulations
- Leadership skills
- Technological proficiency
- Problem-solving abilities
- Communication skills
- Adaptability
- Business expertise
Read the full guide: How to Become a Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrator by State