How to Become a Healthcare Administrator in Missouri

How to Become a Healthcare Administrator in Missouri

The growth of the healthcare sector presents a wealth of exciting career opportunities for those looking to explore new professional avenues.

For those who favor a behind-the-scenes role rather than direct patient care, healthcare administration offers the ideal job.

In many medical facilities healthcare administrators play an important role in the seamless operation of said facility.

Interested in learning more?

Continue reading to discover further details and insights!

Healthcare Administrator Roles in Missouri

Healthcare administrators are responsible for spotting areas that need improvement and crafting strategies to enhance overall performance.

They have duties such:

  • Enhancing Workflow Efficiency
  • Managing Financial Planning and Budgeting
  • Ensuring Precision in Medical Records
  • Organizing Staff Schedules and Assignments
  • Managing Staff
  • Streamlining Operational Processes
  • Supervising Financial Performance
  • Overseeing Recruitment and Compensation
  • Supporting Healthcare Providers
  • Upholding Compliance with Regulatory Standards

Since the healthcare sector continues to expand, the role of healthcare administrators will also evolve, presenting new challenges and opportunities.

What Defines a Successful Healthcare Administrator?

A successful healthcare administrator is someone who is familiar with the healthcare system and ensures all their daily tasks are completed.

As such, nurses make very good candidates for administrative positions in a medical facility.

This is thanks to their deep understanding of staffing, resource management, and healthcare logistics.

Effective healthcare administrators typically exhibit the following:

  • Strong Attention to Detail
  • Ability to Juggle Multiple Responsibilities
  • Proficiency with Technology and Healthcare Software
  • Outstanding Communication and Leadership Skills
  • Fast Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Capabilities

Persons coming from a different industry but from an administrative position will have to become familiar with the healthcare field, terminology, and other aspects.

Steps to Becoming a Healthcare Administrator in Missouri

If you’re thinking about a career in healthcare administration, here’s a clear path to help you get started.

Earn a Degree from an Accredited Program

Start by earning a high school diploma or GED, followed by a specialized education in healthcare.

For those with a nursing background, the standard path includes completing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), and then progressing to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

These programs usually take 2 to 4 years, with some accelerated options available.

Continue with a Master’s Degree

To advance in healthcare administration, many professionals pursue a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA).

Depending on whether you study full- or part-time, this degree typically takes 1 to 3 years to complete.

Alternatively, degrees in public health or interdisciplinary programs combining nursing and management also offer a strong foundation for a career in healthcare leadership.

Pursue Professional Certifications

Earning professional certifications can significantly boost your credentials and career prospects.

For example, nurses can pursue certifications like the:

  • Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC)
  • Certified Nurse Manager
  • Leader (CNML)

These certifications typically require prior leadership experience and passing an exam.

Gain Hands-On Healthcare Experience

After completing your education and obtaining certifications, gaining real-world experience is essential.

Positions such as nurse team leader, supervisor, or manager provide excellent opportunities to develop the skills needed for a successful career in healthcare administration.

These roles help you build the confidence and expertise necessary to thrive in the field.

Healthcare Administration Programs in Missouri

Let’s see which school offers a healthcare administration program!

Missouri State University

If you meet the admission criteria, you can start taking graduate-level courses during your senior year.

Up to six credit hours can be applied toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

The Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree, offered through the College of Business, features a range of interdisciplinary courses from various campus colleges.

This program is tailored for individuals with at least an undergraduate degree who aim to advance their careers in managing health organizations.

This includes roles in integrated systems, hospitals, group practices, long-term care facilities, clinics, managed care organizations, and other healthcare settings.

The MHA program holds accreditation from AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

The program is delivered entirely online and includes 12 core courses.

To qualify for admission, applicants must fulfill the Graduate College’s admission criteria.

The program necessitates a minimum of 36 graduate credit hours, plus any required prerequisite courses.

School Name Address
Missouri State University 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65897

Salary Outlook for Healthcare Administrators in Missouri

Curious about how much healthcare administrators earn in Missouri?

On average, professionals in this role make about $99,611 annually.

For a closer look at salary variations across different regions in Missouri, refer to the table below.

Annual Salary Range:
$87K
$99K
$11K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Kansas City $102,328
Saint Louis $102,328
Independence $102,224
Florissant $102,119
Fenton $102,015
Lee's Summit $101,910
Smithville $101,806
Saint Charles $101,701
Kearney $101,597
Bismarck $101,492

Regional Salary in Missouri

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL210$114,350$54.97$172,350$58,580
Columbia, MO430$119,330$57.37$170,020$64,060
Jefferson City, MO190$107,610$51.73$181,580$59,500
Joplin, MO210$106,740$51.32$154,210$60,280
Kansas City, MO-KS3,880$123,340$59.3$184,750$65,670
St. Joseph, MO-KS200$113,930$54.77$180,090$59,870
St. Louis, MO-IL4,280$119,940$57.66$181,030$63,880
Springfield, MO580$110,230$53$166,650$58,460
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Medical and Health Services Managers, OCC Code 11-9111, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do healthcare administrators in Missouri work?

Healthcare administrators will be working in these settings, but not only:

  • Hospitals
  • Nursing homes
  • Outpatient clinics
  • For the government
  • Physicians’ offices

Do healthcare administrators in Missouri earn well?

While the median salary per year at the state level is lower than in many other states, there are many cities where healthcare administrators earn over $100k annually.

At what age can I become a healthcare administrator in Missouri?

You can become a healthcare administrator at any age.

Just remember that you may have to undergo some training first, and this will impact the age at which you can apply for your desired position.

USA Healthcare Administrator by State


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