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The healthcare industry is growing at an unprecedented pace, offering a range of exciting career opportunities, especially for those who prefer working behind the scenes.
One of the most fulfilling paths in this field is healthcare administration, where key responsibilities include:
- Personnel Management
- Operational Efficiency
- Financial Oversight
Healthcare administrators play a vital role in ensuring medical facilities run efficiently, making them essential to the success of the overall healthcare system.
If a career in healthcare administration appeals to you, this dynamic and expanding field presents countless opportunities to explore.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 The Role of Healthcare Administrators in West Virginia
- 2 Traits of Effective Healthcare Administrators
- 3 How to Become a Healthcare Administrator in West Virginia
- 4 Healthcare Administration Programs in West Virginia
- 5 Salary Expectations for Healthcare Administrators in West Virginia
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions
The Role of Healthcare Administrators in West Virginia
Healthcare administrators are essential to the smooth and efficient functioning of medical facilities.
Their role is centered on identifying areas of inefficiency and implementing strategies to drive improvement in overall operations.
Core duties include:
- Optimizing Workflows
- Budget Management
- Accurate Record Keeping
- Staff Coordination
- Recruitment and Compensation
- Supporting Healthcare Teams
- Regulatory Compliance
As the healthcare industry evolves, administrators must continuously adapt to meet the sector’s shifting demands.
Traits of Effective Healthcare Administrators
Healthcare administrators with clinical experience, such as former nurses, often thrive in administrative roles.
This is due to their hands-on knowledge and deep understanding of the healthcare system.
Effective healthcare administrators usually demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Multitasking Abilities
- Technical Proficiency
- Leadership and Communication
- Problem-Solving Skills
For those without a clinical background, a solid understanding of healthcare operations is crucial for success in this fast-moving environment.
How to Become a Healthcare Administrator in West Virginia
To embark on a career in healthcare administration, consider these essential steps:
- Earn the Right Degree:
- Begin with a high school diploma or GED
- Then pursue a degree in healthcare administration or nursing.
- Many start with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and later advance to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- This path typically lasts for 2 to 4 years.
- Pursue a Master’s Degree:
- To elevate your career, consider earning a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), which usually requires 1 to 3 years.
- Degrees in public health also serve as a strong foundation for leadership positions.
- Obtain Professional Certifications:
- Certifications can boost your qualifications.
- Nurses may pursue the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) or Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) to move into administrative roles.
- Gain Practical Experience:
- Once you’ve completed your education, hands-on experience is key.
- You should have worked as a team leader, supervisor, or nurse manager
Healthcare Administration Programs in West Virginia
Let’s look at which universities you can find good training programs for the healthcare administration field!
Marshall University 
This school offers an affordable and accredited Master of Science (M.S.) in Health Care Administration.
The program is available through the Brad D. Smith Graduate School of Business.
This specialized degree provides a strong foundation in healthcare management.
Graduates of the program often secure positions in various settings, including:
- Hospitals,
- Medical practices,
- Health insurance companies.
Here are a few of the courses you’ll attend:
- HCA 600 – The Health Care System
- HCA 640 – The Health Care Professional
- HCA 655 – Health Care Marketing
The program attracts students from diverse academic backgrounds especially those with clinical experience who want to enhance their management skills.
Marshall’s M.S. in Health Care Administration course is accredited by the AACSB.
The School of Business also offers a 3+2 program.
Through it, students can graduate with the following diplomas:
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Master of Accountancy,
- Business Administration,
- Human Resources Management, o
- Health Care Administration
To earn these many credentials, students must stay enrolled for 5 years.
West Virginia Junior College Online
If you don’t want to attend in-person classes, this college is a solution!
The college offers the Healthcare Administration degree online!
Some of the benefits of this course are:
- Small Online School Atmosphere
- Flexibility
- 24/7 Tech Support
- Healthcare Management Externships
- Career Services
- WE CARE
- Be Career-Ready in Months
- Mobile Access to Classes
Even the students learning online will have to participate in an externship.
To attend, you’ll have to pay $30,055 if you live off-campus but not with your parent.
On the other hand, those living with their parents, off-campus will have to pay $23,570.
The total cost includes the tuition and many other things you might need during your studies.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Marshall University | 1 John Marshall Dr, Huntington, WV 25755 |
| West Virginia Junior College | online program |
Salary Expectations for Healthcare Administrators in West Virginia
Wondering about the salary prospects for healthcare administrators in West Virginia?
On average, healthcare administrators in this state earn around $94,071 per year.
For a more detailed breakdown of salary variations by region, please see the table below:
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charles Town | $115,812 |
| Falling Waters | $108,600 |
| Delray | $104,628 |
| Independence | $102,328 |
| Wheeling | $102,328 |
| Baxter | $102,328 |
| Fairview | $102,328 |
| Weirton | $101,806 |
| Hedgesville | $101,597 |
| Mathias | $101,492 |
Regional Salary in West Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 130 | $115,830 | $55.69 | $157,880 | $72,940 |
| Charleston, WV | 320 | $129,600 | $62.31 | $212,060 | $62,470 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 500 | $118,050 | $56.75 | $175,650 | $55,760 |
| Morgantown, WV | 310 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 110 | $108,850 | $52.33 | $164,500 | $50,390 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 130 | $105,190 | $50.57 | $158,260 | $61,710 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 170 | $114,010 | $54.81 | $174,160 | $56,820 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What career options do I have in West Virginia with this type of training?
These are some of the institutions to which you can apply for a job:
- Managed-care organizations
- Hospitals and health centers
- Public health departments
- Health planning agencies
- Home health agencies
- Health maintenance organizations
- Other health-related facilities
Is there an age limit to become a healthcare administrator in West Virginia?
To enter the healthcare administration field you must undergo training from 1 year and up to 4, or more even.
You should add the total of years of study to the age you made your decision to enter this industry.
What do I need to do to find employment faster in West Virginia as a healthcare administration?
Here are a few things you can do to get hired faster as a healthcare administration in this state:
- Connect with healthcare professionals
- Attend industry events
- Showcase your leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Gain relevant work experience through internships or entry-level positions
- Develop a strong understanding of healthcare regulations, policies, and best practices
- Leverage your education, certifications, and any specialized expertise
Read the full guide: How to Become a Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrator by State