4 Certification Options for Healthcare Managers

Healthcare managers, otherwise known as healthcare executives or administrators, work closely with registered nurses, physicians, surgeons and other healthcare workers to direct, plan and coordinate medical services.

Due to rising demand for healthcare services, employment for healthcare managers is expected to grow by 32% from 2020-2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The occupation also offers a competitive salary – the annual average is $99,730, and the top 10% earn more than $182,600, according to BLS.

Once you earn a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, your next step to advance your career could be to earn an industry-recognized certification. Learn more about certification options for healthcare managers and how they can help you reach your career goals.

Why should I earn a certification in healthcare management?

A certification provides third-party validation of your knowledge and expertise, which can play an important role in helping you land your first job out of college or advance your healthcare management career years later. While a certification is not required to become a healthcare manager, earning one can help you differentiate yourself from other candidates, position you for advanced roles, and increase your earning potential.

Herzing University offers a few sought-after industry certifications as part of its healthcare management degree program, including:

1. Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification (LSSYB) from GoLeanSixSigma

Revenue and efficiencies aren’t the only things at stake when errors are made in the healthcare industry – people’s lives are on the line. This is why significantly reducing medical errors is so crucial, and why Lean Six Sigma methodologies are so valuable. This certification takes you through the five-step approach of Lean Six Sigma, which can help healthcare managers improve the patient experience by shortening wait times, preventing falls and injuries and reducing medication errors.

2. Certified Specialist Managed Care (CSMC) through Healthcare Financial Mgmt Associations (HFMA)

This certification prepares you for the issues surrounding healthcare reform, case management, Medicare and Medicaid and cost reporting. At the end of the program, you’ll be able to navigate negotiation strategies, various managed care models, reimbursement calculations, benefit coordination, and more.

Once you’ve earned your degree and have relevant experience in the healthcare management field, you can pursue the following certifications:

3. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) from the Project Management Institute (PMI)

If you don’t have a lot of experience under your belt as a healthcare manager, this certification is a great stepping stone to more advanced certifications. A CAPM certification demonstrates your working knowledge of project management. With this certification, you’ll be able to manage larger projects and bring valuable project management skills to your current healthcare management role.

4. Certified Specialist Business Intelligence (CSBI) through Healthcare Financial Mgmt Association (HFMA)

With a CSBI certification, you’ll learn how to leverage healthcare business intelligence and tools that can inform decisions surrounding quality of care, operational effectiveness, financial efficiency, and more. Once the certification is complete, you’ll be able to better recognize the role of data in the healthcare industry.

If you’re interested in the business of healthcare and helping organizations implement new technologies and processes to improve patient care, a career as a healthcare manager could be the right fit for you. Due to fast-growing employment prospects and a competitive average salary, healthcare manager is ranked #1 on its list of Best Business Jobs.

With additional certifications and experience, you can continue to advance your healthcare career and take on more responsibility within your organization. Learn more about Herzing University’s healthcare administration program and start building your healthcare career today.