Postgraduate Courses in Health Care Management

Thinking of taking a Postgraduate Course in Health Care Management? Here's everything you need to know.

Description:

Especially in the current climate, healthcare in Ireland is a highly important industry. If you are interested in moving forward within your career, a qualification in the field of healthcare management could be just what you need to get you up the next step on that ladder.

Also known as medical administration or management, this discipline involves making long-term and short-term decisions that are in line with the requirements of the health care system and its business strategies. This is an interesting course because it combines health policy, health science, and business. Perfect for those with a wide section of interests.

Health care management also involves improving the business and systems of healthcare, which starts with quality patient care and strong policies.

Health care management involves the management of:

- The healthcare system as a whole
- Specific healthcare departments such as emergency, intensive care units, etc.
- Specific areas, e.g. facility administration, finances, and admissions
- Specific facilities, e.g. hospital, home health agencies, etc.

Having skills in healthcare administration and management is important because you will be able to play a key role in ensuring that the system runs smoothly. You will be responsible for making sure that your organisation provides a safe, compassionate and comfortable environment for people to receive medical treatment.

Key Areas within Healthcare Management

Some of the key areas of specialization in a postgraduate course in healthcare management include:

1.  Law And Ethics: The ethical and legal standards of the health care system are vital in every society, which is why qualifications in this field are sought after by potential employers. You will learn about moral practices surrounding the health care system as well as insurance restrictions. You will also get to learn about patients’ privacy, rights and security issues.
2. Financial Management: For the healthcare system to run smoothly, there need to have good financial management. Just like a business which needs to have a good fiscal strategy for it to succeed, the same applies to the healthcare system. What is the most efficient means of spending money? How do you provide the best care at the lowest cost? These will all fall back to your remit.
3. Healthcare Policy: A postgraduate course in this area will help you to understand how the policies that are within the health care system affect it as a whole. How does this function in regards to the internal organizations as well as procedures in the community? This programme introduces students to the decisions faced by policymakers and how these affect the medical outcomes and patient care in all areas.
4. Strategic Management: Further study in health administration offers learners the opportunity to oversee and manage the entire healthcare system. You will learn about strategies which can help change and evolve the system as a whole.

Benefits of Studying Health Administration at a Postgraduate Level

1. Scope for advancement

When you have a qualification and experience in health administration, the medical industry is your metaphorical oyster. In general healthcare, roles in this field are challenging, well paid, and tend to have plenty of scope for advancement.

2. Make a real difference

Making the decision to take on an administrative role within the health care system is a critical one. You will be directly responsible for the lives and wellbeing of patients in your organisation's care. This is a choice not to be taken lightly, as you need to be committed, knowledgeable and dedicated; you are also, however, poised to make a real difference in this field.

3. Plenty of Opportunities

There are a number of available positions in this area, not only in Ireland, but across the whole world. In fact, internationally, there is presently a lot of private investment in healthcare, and with the right qualification, you could be highly employable. If you factor in the shifts in advancing technology and keep abreast of them, your LinkedIn will be inundated with messages from recruiters.

4. Create a Flexible Future

When you take a postgraduate course in healthcare management, you will be in a position to choose which kind of facility or network you wish to work for. You can decide to become a manager of a nursing facility, work with a non-profit overseas or even run an entire health system. You could work full time, part-time, freelance or as a consultant. You can pick and choose a position that works for you.