How to Become a Healthcare Administrator in Hawaii

With the ongoing expansion of the healthcare industry, it’s becoming an increasingly appealing sector for job seekers.

If you’re not inclined toward direct patient care, healthcare administration provides a wide range of fulfilling career opportunities.

For further details, simply keep reading.

Healthcare Administrator Job Overview in Hawaii

Healthcare administrators play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient operation of healthcare facilities.

They pinpoint areas in need of improvement and develop solutions to address these challenges.

Key responsibilities often include:

• Improving operational efficiency
• Managing financial planning and budgeting
• Maintaining precise health records
• Coordinating staff schedules
• Overseeing hiring, compensation, and staffing decisions
• Providing support to medical staff and healthcare professionals
• Ensuring compliance with healthcare laws and regulations

As a healthcare administrator, your duties will continually adapt to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare landscape.

Who Makes an Ideal Healthcare Administrator in Hawaii?

Nurses moving into administrative roles often thrive in this position.

They have direct experience with patient care, and knowledge of staffing, supplies, and medication management, which gives them a distinct advantage in managing healthcare operations.

Beyond experience, successful healthcare administrators typically have:

• Strong attention to detail
• Effective multitasking abilities
• Proficiency in using computers and relevant software
• Excellent communication skills
• A keen sense of awareness and the ability to stay vigilant

If you come from a different administrative background, you must familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of healthcare to succeed in this role.

Steps to Becoming a Healthcare Administrator in Hawaii

A future healthcare admin typically has a complicated road until they reach the desired position.

Earn a Degree from an Accredited Program

Your journey starts with earning a high school diploma or GED.

Next, it’s important to enroll in a specialized educational program.

If you have a nursing background, a common route involves obtaining an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) followed by a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing).

These programs usually take 2-4 years to complete, though accelerated options may be available.

Consider a Master’s Degree

To progress in the field, you’ll usually need a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), which typically takes 1-3 years, depending on whether you pursue it full-time or part-time.

Alternatively, degrees in public health or dual programs that combine nursing and management also offer a strong foundation for a career in healthcare administration.

Obtain Professional Certification

Obtaining certifications can further boost your qualifications. Nurses might consider certifications like the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) or Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML).

These certifications generally require leadership experience and passing an exam.

Build Experience in Healthcare

After completing your education and earning certifications, gaining practical experience is essential.

Positions such as nurse team leader, supervisor, or manager offer valuable experience that equips you for the responsibilities of a healthcare administrator.

Healthcare Administrator Programs in Hawaii

As the subtitle says, here you’ll find a school or two where you can train as a healthcare admin in Hawaii.

University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu 

If you want to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, you should consider this university.

This is not the only program offered here.

The other program is the Health Care Administration Certificate program.

The certificate course is the only one in Hawaii, and it is at the undergraduate level.

The university helps students find internships, which in turn helps them earn some experience.

Hawaii Medical College

At this college, you’ll earn an AAS in Healthcare Administration, Billing, and Coding.

You have the possibility of graduating in 10 months.

There are several advantages to enrolling in this college.

Some of these are:

• Receiving a laptop to use during the studies
  • It can be kept after you graduate
• Receiving help in finding an externship
• Receiving help in getting hired for the job you want

Here are some of the topics you’ll study:

• Medical Office Procedures
• Medical Insurance Billing
• Word Processing Applications
• Medical Terminology I and II
• Medical Law and Ethics
• Hospital Billing
• Customer Service

The tuition is based on the number of credits the program has.

This program has 61.75 credits and 1 credit costs $320.

Other costs include:

• Uniforms  – $52
• Tech fee – $60
  • This is a non-refundable fee
• Books – $1,662.49

Salary Outlook for Healthcare Administrators in Hawaii

Curious about your potential salary as a healthcare administrator in Hawaii?

On average, healthcare administrators in the state earn around $109,350 annually.

For a detailed breakdown of salaries across various regions in Hawaii, refer to the table below.

Regional Salary in Hawaii

Healthcare Administrator by State