Degree Completion in Health Services

About Health Services
The health services industry is one of the largest and fastest growing ones in the world. Health services professionals are responsible for performing a number of different roles in the industry, particularly in managerial positions. Health service professionals plan, direct and supervise the delivery of healthcare. They are usually in charge of a particular clinical department or division, or manage an entire healthcare facility. Due to the integration of healthcare delivery systems with Information Technology, the field of health services is becoming increasingly complex, restructuring the entire system and increasing the focus on providing healthcare.

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About the Degree
Health services professionals usually have a degree in health administration, public administration, health sciences, public health or business administration. The minimum degree required in this field is a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in management and administration. This degree is adequate for entry level positions in various hospital departments, health information organizations, insurance companies and private clinics. For further advancement in this field, a Master’s degree in health services management or public health is required. A degree in nursing or healthcare information systems is also useful for a career in health services. All states require health services professionals to complete a special state-sponsored training program and take a licensing exam before they can seek employment.

Career Prospects
Hospitals, clinics, laboratories, diagnostic centers, research facilities, insurance & legal firms and government agencies are some of the places where health services professionals work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an increase of about 33% in employment opportunities for healthcare and social assistance workers within the 2010-2020 period, which is one of the highest rates of expansion among all professions, contributing to 28% of all jobs expected to be created in the US. The BLS also reports that median annual wages for professionals such as pharmacists and medical records and health information technicians are $120,950 and $35,900 respectively as of May 2014.