How to Become a Healthcare Administrator in Mississippi

As the healthcare industry expands, it presents an array of exciting career opportunities for those exploring new professional avenues.

For individuals who prefer to manage operations behind the scenes rather than engage in direct patient care, healthcare administration provides a different and rewarding career path.

Healthcare administrators play a vital role in ensuring the seamless functioning of medical facilities.

Curious to learn more?

Keep reading!

Healthcare Administrator Role Overview in Mississippi

Healthcare administrators are essential to the effective management of medical facilities.

They focus on identifying areas for improvement and implementing strategies to enhance overall performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Streamlining operations and increasing efficiency
• Overseeing financial planning and budgeting
• Ensuring the accuracy of medical records
• Coordinating staff schedules and assignments
• Managing recruitment, compensation, and staffing
• Providing support to healthcare professionals
• Ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and laws

As a healthcare administrator, your responsibilities will continually adapt to the evolving needs of the healthcare sector.

Who Excels as a Healthcare Administrator?

Traditionally, nurses often thrive in the healthcare administration, usually because of their good knowledge of:

• Staffing,
• Supply management,
• Medication logistics,

All these aspects give them a significant edge in overseeing healthcare operations.

Successful healthcare administrators typically exhibit:

• Meticulous attention to detail
• Strong multitasking abilities
• Proficiency in technology and healthcare software systems
• Excellent communication skills
• High alertness and quick decision-making

If you have another administrative background, building a strong foundation in healthcare fundamentals is essential for success in this role.

Steps to Becoming a Healthcare Administrator in Mississippi

Next is a short guide on what you need to do to become a healthcare administrator.

Earn a Degree from an Accredited Program

Start by earning a high school diploma or GED, then proceed by enrolling in a specialized healthcare education program.

For individuals with a nursing background, the usual route includes obtaining an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

These programs generally take 2 to 4 years to complete, with some schools providing accelerated pathways to fast-track your education.

Pursue a Master’s Degree

Advancing in healthcare administration often requires you to earn a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA).

This typically takes 1 to 3 years, depending on whether you study full-time or part-time.

Alternatively, degrees in public health or dual programs that blend nursing and management also provide a solid foundation for building a successful career in healthcare administration.

Obtain Professional Certifications

Obtaining certifications can greatly enhance your qualifications in healthcare administration.

For example, nurses may pursue certifications like the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) or the Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML).

These credentials typically require prior leadership experience and passing a certification exam, boosting your expertise and career prospects in the field.

Gain Practical Healthcare Experience

Gaining hands-on experience is essential after completing your degree and certifications.

Positions like nurse team leader, supervisor, or manager offer valuable opportunities to develop the skills necessary for healthcare administration.

These roles help you build the confidence and expertise required to excel on the administrative side of healthcare operations.

Healthcare Administration Programs in Mississippi

Where can you study to become a healthcare administrator in the State of Mississippi?

Let’s find out!

Mississippi State University

Like most other universities, MSU has several Divisions and each division has some Departments as well.

The Department of Healthcare Administration, as part of the Division of Arts and Sciences, offers the Healthcare Administration program.

Students enrolled in this program will learn more about:

• Finance,
• Law
• Regulations
• Management principles,
• Organizational dynamics,
• Strategic planning,
• Marketing,
• Human resources,
• Problem-solving,
• Decision-making,
• Leadership

Through this program, you could earn a Bachelor of Applied Science.

The tuition for this degree is $419 per credit hour.

To graduate, you’ll need:

• At least 120 applicable hours
  • 60 hours must come from an accredited 4-year university
    • These could be transferred toward the degree
  • 60 hours must be earned at MSU
    • 30 of these hours have to be of upper level (3000/4000)
• GPA of 2.0 in all coursework attempted, be it at MSU or other university

Salary Outlook for Healthcare Administrators in Mississippi

You might be curious about the earning potential for healthcare administrators in Mississippi.

Professionals in this role earn a median salary of approximately $93,235 per year.

The next table shows the differences between a selection of a few regions in this state.

Regional Salary in Mississippi

Healthcare Administrator by State