How to Become a Healthcare Administrator in Iowa

Job seekers can consider the medical or healthcare industries since these have the greatest demand for personnel.

One of the available positions is that of a healthcare administrator.

This occupation is actually flexible as it allows individuals to move to or work in other fields.

Are you interested in knowing more?

Then read on!

Healthcare Administrator Job Overview in Iowa

Healthcare administrators play a crucial role in ensuring healthcare facilities’ smooth and efficient operation.

They focus on identifying areas for improvement and implementing strategies to address them.

Key responsibilities 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 role will continuously adapt to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare environment.

Who Makes an Ideal Healthcare Administrator in Iowa?

Nurses are often the best choice for a healthcare admin position.

This is because they dealt with many of the issues that often arise in a medical facility.

As administrators, they can solve some of those issues better than someone coming from a different background.

Beyond experience, successful healthcare administrators typically have:

• Strong attention to detail
• Effective multitasking abilities
• Proficiency with computers and relevant software
• Excellent communication skills
• A high level of awareness and the ability to stay vigilant

If your background is in a different area of administration, it’s essential to learn the fundamentals of healthcare to excel in this role.

Steps to Becoming a Healthcare Administrator in Iowa

Think you’d be good for such a job?

Read below what you need to do to become a healthcare administrator in this state.

Earn a Degree from an Accredited Program

Your path 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, your typical route is to pursue an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) and a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing).

Though faster, accelerated options may be available, these programs generally take 2-4 years to complete.

Think of Earning a Master’s Degree

To move forward in the field, a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) is usually required.

Such a degree takes 1-3 years depending on whether you study full-time or part-time.

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

Professional Certifications

Obtaining certifications can further strengthen your qualifications.

Nurses can pursue credentials like:

• Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC)
• Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)

These certifications typically require leadership experience and successful completion of an exam.

Build Experience in Healthcare

Let’s assume you completed all the steps above.

Gaining some hands-on experience is very important for your future career as a healthcare administrator, unlike in other fields.

Here are some jobs that could help you:

• Nurse team leader,
• Supervisor
• Manager

It’s pretty obvious these are not all of them, but they are a start.

Healthcare Administrator Programs in Iowa

Let’s find some schools where you can train as a healthcare administrator in Iowa!

Upper Iowa University

This university has a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Services Administration for those interested.

If you get accepted into the program, you’ll study: 

• Health Care Ethics,
• Health Services Planning
• Population Health Management
• Teaching Methodology
• Interdisciplinary Service Learning
• Healthcare Informatics
• Managed Care

This program is offered in 3 other cities as well as online.

The University of Iowa

If you want a master of health administration degree, perhaps consider this university.

The program is offered through the College of Public Health of this university.

Its duration is 2 years and students must collect 60 semester hours.

Some of the core courses are:

• Management
• Economics,
• Law,
• Managerial finance,
• Financial Accounting
• The environments of healthcare organizations:
  • Social,
  • Political,
  • Economic,
  • Financial

Students must also choose 6 other classes.

Some of the classes they must choose from are:

• Cost Effectiveness and Decision Analysis
• Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness I
• Health Insurance and Managed Care
• Health Policy Analysis

Salary Outlook for Healthcare Administrators in Iowa

Are you curious about your potential salary as a healthcare administrator in Iowa?

On average, healthcare administrators in the state earn around $100,029 annually.

For a more detailed breakdown of salaries across various cities in Iowa, look at the table below.

Regional Salary in Iowa

Healthcare Administrator by State