by As the healthcare sector expands, it opens up exciting new career opportunities, particularly for those who prefer working behind the scenes.
Healthcare administration offers a diverse range of rewarding roles, focusing on essential aspects like:
- Personnel management
- Streamlining operations
- Financial oversight
Healthcare administrators ensure that medical facilities run efficiently, making them key players in the industry.
If you’re curious about this career path, there’s plenty to explore and learn.
Keep reading for more insights into this growing field.
Article Table of Contents
Healthcare Administrator Roles in Tennessee
Healthcare administrators are crucial to keeping medical facilities running smoothly.
They focus on identifying areas for improvement and implementing strategies to boost performance.
Their key responsibilities include:
- Streamlining workflows
- Managing budgets and financial planning
- Ensuring precise medical record-keeping
- Coordinating staff schedules and responsibilities
- Overseeing hiring and compensation
- Supporting healthcare teams
- Ensuring compliance with regulations
As the healthcare industry evolves, administrators continuously adapt, navigating new challenges while reshaping their roles to meet the changing needs of the system.
Key Traits of Successful Healthcare Administrators
Nurses moving into healthcare administration frequently excel because of their extensive clinical background and expertise in managing healthcare logistics, staffing, and resources.
Successful healthcare administrators typically exhibit:
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Skillful multitasking and management of varied duties
- Proficiency with healthcare technologies and software
- Strong leadership and communication capabilities
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills
For individuals without a clinical administrative background, mastering healthcare operations is crucial for thriving in this ever-evolving field.
How to Become a Healthcare Administrator in Tennessee
Considering a career in healthcare administration? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you begin:
Obtain a Relevant Degree
Start with a high school diploma or GED, then pursue specialized healthcare administration or nursing education.
Many nurses begin with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and progress to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which typically takes 2 to 4 years depending on the program.
Advance with a Master’s Degree
To further your career, consider earning a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA).
This program generally lasts 1 to 3 years, depending on your study pace.
Degrees in public health can also serve as a strong foundation for leadership roles.
Secure Professional Certifications
Certifications can greatly enhance your career prospects.
For nurses, credentials like the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) or Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) offer a significant boost for transitioning into administrative positions.
Gain Practical Experience
Hands-on experience is essential after completing your education and certifications.
Taking on roles such as team leader, supervisor, or nurse manager will help you develop the skills necessary for success in healthcare administration.
Healthcare Administration Programs in Tennessee
Let’s see a university or two offering training programs for healthcare administrators!
Tennessee State University 
The Department of Public Health, Health Administration, and Health Sciences at Tennessee State University is dedicated to developing future leaders in healthcare.
Healthcare administrators are skilled professionals who manage operations within healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and other organizations that provide health services.
They oversee activities to ensure that healthcare facilities meet their goals and objectives efficiently.
The curriculum covers:
- Health management
- Decision-making
- Health planning
The program emphasizes management and decision-making techniques that enhance efficiency in supervisory roles.
Tennessee State University confers the Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Administration upon completing a minimum of 120 semester hours, including a 12-week summer field placement.
Graduates are equipped for entry-level management roles or further studies in various master’s degree programs.
Some organizations may require background checks before hiring, and a felony conviction may impact eligibility for certain internships.
Students at Tennessee State University who declare Health Care Administration and Planning as their major and are classified as sophomores should apply to the departmental program.
The application packet includes a cover page for demographic details, a placeholder for a goal statement, two referee request letters, rating forms, and an unofficial transcript.
A minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required for consideration. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis, and an interview is required for admission.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Tennessee State University | 3500 John A Merritt Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209 |
Salary Outlook for Healthcare Administrators in Tennessee
Interested in the earning potential for healthcare administrators in Tennessee?
These professionals typically make around $96,788 per year on average.
To explore salary differences across various regions, check out the table below for more detailed information:
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Flintville | $99,506 |
| Tullahoma | $99,402 |
| Fayetteville | $99,402 |
| Wartrace | $98,565 |
| Nashville | $98,461 |
| Hendersonville | $98,356 |
| Joelton | $98,252 |
| Smyrna | $98,043 |
| Memphis | $97,938 |
| Winchester | $97,834 |
Regional Salary in Tennessee
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 980 | $137,570 | $66.14 | $# | $64,410 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 430 | $103,050 | $49.55 | $154,980 | $58,310 |
| Cleveland, TN | 110 | $114,630 | $55.11 | $168,080 | $58,260 |
| Jackson, TN | 250 | $105,990 | $50.96 | $157,950 | $59,670 |
| Johnson City, TN | 330 | $113,560 | $54.6 | $164,630 | $62,040 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 310 | $113,570 | $54.6 | $177,720 | $62,250 |
| Knoxville, TN | 1,700 | $121,310 | $58.32 | $168,070 | $63,920 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 2,100 | $124,060 | $59.64 | $179,470 | $64,340 |
| Morristown, TN | 100 | $102,690 | $49.37 | $155,610 | $56,340 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 5,130 | $127,380 | $61.24 | $208,850 | $60,690 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there just 1 school in Tennessee with a training program for healthcare administration?
More schools offer such training.
Candidates need at least one example in this regard.
What career options do I have in Tennessee with this type of training?
It prepares students for entry-level management positions and career opportunities in:
- Managed-care organizations
- Hospitals and health centers
- Public health departments
- Health planning agencies
- Home health agencies
- Health maintenance organizations
- Other health-related facilities
What abilities should students develop through an healthcare administrator program in Tennessee?
The next list shows which skills should be developed the most:
- Demonstrate effective communication skills.
- Demonstrate quantitative, technological, and analytical skills necessary for problem-solving in healthcare organizations.
- Identify international/global/local issues affecting healthcare organizations.
- Demonstrate proficiency in understanding the central concepts of healthcare systems, management, and policy.
- Analyze and provide solutions to healthcare problems, policy, and ethical dilemmas.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrator by State