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As the healthcare sector continues to grow, it unveils a plethora of exciting career opportunities for those seeking fresh professional paths.
For those who prefer a behind-the-scenes role rather than direct patient interaction, healthcare administration offers diverse and fulfilling career options.
Medical facilities need healthcare administrators for efficient operation.
Are you eager to learn more?
Read on for further details.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Healthcare Administrator Roles in Pennsylvania
- 2 Qualities of an Effective Healthcare Administrator
- 3 Steps to Becoming a Healthcare Administrator in Pennsylvania
- 4 Healthcare Administration Programs in Pennsylvania
- 5 Salary Outlook for Healthcare Administrators in Pennsylvania
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions
Healthcare Administrator Roles in Pennsylvania
Healthcare administrators play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of healthcare facilities.
They are dedicated to pinpointing areas for improvement and crafting strategies to enhance overall performance.
Their core responsibilities include:
- Boosting Workflow Efficiency
- Managing Financial Budgets and Planning
- Ensuring Accuracy in Medical Records
- Personnel Oversight
- Operational Optimization
- Financial Oversight
- Coordinating Staff Schedules and Assignments
- Overseeing Recruitment and Compensation
- Supporting Healthcare Providers
- Maintaining Regulatory Compliance
Administrators face new challenges and opportunities as the healthcare industry evolves, continually redefining their roles.
Qualities of an Effective Healthcare Administrator
Nurses who want an administrative role usually excel due to:
- Their clinical experience
- Comprehensive understanding of healthcare logistics
- Staffing,
- Resource management.
Key traits of successful healthcare administrators include:
- Meticulous Attention to Detail
- Capability to Handle Multiple Tasks
- Effective Problem-Solving
- Decision-Making Abilities
- Proficiency with Healthcare Technology and Software
- Strong Leadership
- Communication Skills
For those coming from other administrative backgrounds, a solid grasp of healthcare operations is crucial for thriving in this dynamic field.
Steps to Becoming a Healthcare Administrator in Pennsylvania
Considering a career in healthcare administration?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started!
Earn a Degree from an Accredited Program
Begin by obtaining a high school diploma or GED, followed by specialized education in healthcare administration or nursing.
For nursing professionals, this path often starts with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and progresses to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
These programs typically take 2 to 4 years, with accelerated options available.
Pursue a Master’s Degree
To advance in healthcare administration, many professionals opt for a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), which generally takes 1 to 3 years to complete, depending on whether you study full-time or part-time.
Alternatively, degrees in public health or interdisciplinary programs that combine nursing and management offer a strong foundation for leadership roles.
Obtain Professional Certifications
Certifications can significantly enhance career prospects.
Nurses can pursue credentials such as the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) or Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML), both requiring leadership experience and passing an exam.
Gain Practical Experience
After completing your education and certifications, practical experience is essential.
Roles such as nurse team leader, supervisor, or manager provide valuable opportunities to develop the skills needed for a successful career in healthcare administration.
Healthcare Administration Programs in Pennsylvania
Now that you have all the info you need on training, it’s time to learn more about the programs you can attend.
The healthcare industry offers many career paths that don’t require a medical degree.
York College of Pennsylvania 
At York College, earning a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration empowers you to create meaningful change in people’s lives.
This is a program with a duration of 4 years.
The coursework will be delivered on campus only.
Here are the key classes you’ll have to attend:
- BHA 310: Public Health Administration
- PS 357: Health Law and Policy
- PHL 346: Bioethics
- BHA 400: Healthcare Insurance Reimbursement
- BHA 415: Administration of Healthcare Systems
For those looking to further their education, the 4+1 pathway at York College allows students to earn 2 degrees at once.
These are a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership and Management or a Master of Public Policy and Administration in just five years.
As part of the graduation process, students must partake in an internship to show what they learned.
Drexel University 
This university offers a bachelor’s program in health services administration.
To graduate you’ll need to accumulate 180 credits during the 4 years of study.
Additionally, graduating students will have to complete a hands-on cooperative experience.
Transfer students might be eligible for a waiver for their co-op.
Candidates will have to pay $53,244 per year.
Here are some of the topics you’ll study:
- Healthcare informatics
- Policy
- Management
- Issues that affect healthcare:
- Ethical,
- Legal
- Religious
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| York College of Pennsylvania | 441 Country Club Rd York, PA 17403-3651 |
| Drexel University | 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, |
Salary Outlook for Healthcare Administrators in Pennsylvania
Curious about the earnings of healthcare administrators in Pennsylvania?
On average, professionals in this role earn approximately $104,314 annually.
For a detailed breakdown of salary variations across different regions, see the table below.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Matamoras | $118,425 |
| Levittown | $113,512 |
| Bensalem | $113,408 |
| Warminster | $113,302 |
| Buckingham | $113,199 |
| Carversville | $113,094 |
| Erwinna | $112,362 |
| Pipersville | $112,049 |
| Point Pleasant | $111,840 |
| Warrington | $111,526 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 1,380 | $124,580 | $59.89 | $172,570 | $75,750 |
| Altoona, PA | 250 | $113,920 | $54.77 | $196,510 | $62,080 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 260 | $141,570 | $68.06 | $# | $66,890 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 190 | $127,420 | $61.26 | $174,880 | $70,070 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 170 | $111,680 | $53.69 | $152,820 | $65,050 |
| Erie, PA | 380 | $105,240 | $50.6 | $155,960 | $60,050 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 90 | $107,610 | $51.74 | $151,610 | $63,120 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 1,240 | $124,860 | $60.03 | $178,440 | $72,310 |
| Johnstown, PA | 150 | $101,330 | $48.71 | $160,800 | $59,180 |
| Lancaster, PA | 760 | $121,010 | $58.18 | $164,170 | $71,340 |
| Lebanon, PA | 190 | $117,150 | $56.32 | $163,430 | $68,010 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 9,960 | $149,810 | $72.03 | $230,710 | $78,020 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 4,140 | $118,580 | $57.01 | $167,200 | $68,190 |
| Reading, PA | 500 | $131,900 | $63.41 | $204,100 | $75,310 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 850 | $131,580 | $63.26 | $193,820 | $64,390 |
| State College, PA | 180 | $124,930 | $60.06 | $199,580 | $63,590 |
| Williamsport, PA | 200 | $117,110 | $56.31 | $168,380 | $64,720 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 550 | $118,520 | $56.98 | $190,700 | $63,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do healthcare administrator in Pennsylvania earn well?
The salary table above is your best answer.
While most of the numbers have 6 figures, there will be regions where salaries will be lower.
To which institutions can I send my healthcare administrator in Pennsylvania?
These are some institutions to which you can send your resumes:
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Outpatient clinics
- For the government
- Physicians’ offices
What career options does a healthcare administrator in Pennsylvania with this type of training?
Here are some of the careers available to healthcare administrators:
- Medical Practice Manager
- Health Insurance Specialist
- Social Service Manager
- Community Service Manager
- Nursing Home Administrator
- Hospital Administrator
Read the full guide: How to Become a Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrator by State