To work as a health services administrator, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; 
• have at least a bachelor's degree; and
• have one to five years of related work experience.

Education after high school

Health services administrators must have at least a bachelor's degree. However, many have a master's degree, and many employers require it. Common areas of study are health services administration, business administration, and public health. Other possible programs are long-term care administration and health science. Some health services administrators are doctors. Clinical administrators often have a degree in a specialty, such as nursing.

Many colleges and universities offer master's programs in health services administration. Entry into these programs is competitive. Applicants with work experience and a bachelor's degree in business or a health-related field have the best chance of being accepted.

Work experience

This is not an entry-level occupation. You need experience in the medical industry before you can enter this occupation. Many health services administrators begin their careers as a nurse or doctor. After working in their profession for years, they switch to administration.

On-the-job training

Health services administrators update their knowledge and skills continually. Insurance requirements, laws, medical techniques, and computer technology change quickly. To keep up, managers attend seminars and classes.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be health services administrators. You need a bachelor's degree to enter this military occupation. Training lasts for ten to 12 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.