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Job outlook for practice administrators in the United States
Practice administrator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected practice administrator job growth rate is 28% from 2018-2028.
About 136,200 new jobs for practice administrators are projected over the next decade.
Practice administrator salaries have increased 8% for practice administrators in the last 5 years.
There are over 32,830 practice administrators currently employed in the United States.
There are 75,986 active practice administrator job openings in the US.
The average practice administrator salary is $78,493.
Are practice administrator jobs in demand?
Practice administrator job and salary trends over time
Practice administrator jobs over time
Practice administrator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 32,830 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 30,257 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 29,683 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 28,012 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 26,081 | 0.01% |
Average practice administrator salary over time
Practice administrator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $78,493 | $37.74 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $76,009 | $36.54 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $75,068 | $36.09 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $74,029 | $35.59 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $72,667 | $34.94 | +2.2% |
Practice administrator jobs by state
Most common states for practice administrators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,285 | 19% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 131 | 18% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 918 | 16% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 211 | 16% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 102 | 16% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 162 | 15% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 135 | 14% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 108 | 14% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 544 | 13% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 414 | 13% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 920 | 12% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 834 | 12% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 652 | 12% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 433 | 12% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 251 | 12% |
| 16 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 155 | 12% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 131 | 12% |
| 18 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 86 | 12% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 67 | 12% |
| 20 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 192 | 10% |
Most common cities for practice administrators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fredericksburg | 1 | 4% | $88,125 |
| 2 | Edison | 2 | 2% | $89,030 |
| 3 | Ashburn | 1 | 2% | $88,412 |
| 4 | Auburn | 1 | 2% | $72,401 |
| 5 | Edina | 1 | 2% | $82,379 |
| 6 | Kokomo | 1 | 2% | $83,387 |
| 7 | Ocala | 1 | 2% | $67,962 |
| 8 | Boston | 4 | 1% | $76,486 |
| 9 | Alexandria | 1 | 1% | $88,519 |
| 10 | Macon | 1 | 1% | $71,174 |
| 11 | Mesquite | 1 | 1% | $69,421 |
| 12 | Dallas | 4 | 0% | $69,503 |
| 13 | Detroit | 2 | 0% | $75,939 |
| 14 | Miami | 2 | 0% | $65,892 |
| 15 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $72,443 |
| 16 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $89,259 |
| 17 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $68,578 |
| 18 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $83,053 |
| 19 | Irving | 1 | 0% | $69,555 |
| 20 | New Orleans | 1 | 0% | $73,780 |
Practice Administrator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of practice administrator experts
Davenport University
Indiana University Northwest
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of New Haven
Central Michigan University
College of Charleston
Ohio University
Wesleyan College
AT Still University
Tarleton State University
University of Illinois at Chicago
Winthrop University
University of Hawai'i West O'ahu
George Mason University
DePaul University
Southern Oregon University
AXIS Health System
SIU School of Medicine
What general advice would you give to a Practice Administrator?
Dr. Joseph Oluwole: The ability to build and sustain relationships with staff for climate and culture and with parents for family and community relations, all to support the holistic success of students.
What will help Practice Administrators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Linda Sorensen RHIA, CHPS: *Building professional relationships is crucial. You should network with peers, mentors, and industry professionals as well as join professional organizations, attend networking events, and connect on professional platforms. Seek mentorship from experienced professionals in your field who can provide valuable advice and career guidance. Don't discount entry-level positions or positions in different areas (such as finance or strategic planning) as they can provide valuable experiences to build upon. Healthcare is a dynamic and challenging field. Stay updated and attend professional development events. Use your critical thinking skills to problem-solve and be adaptable. Hone in on your verbal and written communication skills to be able to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders (including patients and families).*
*Remember the ultimate goal of healthcare administration is to improve patient outcomes, so prioritize patients in your decision-making processes. It is important to uphold ethical standards and demonstrate positive leadership qualities. Most importantly, stay resilient. Your role can be stressful and demanding, so it's important to prioritize, set goals, and seek help when needed.*
*By following these pieces of advice, the new graduate can lay a strong foundation for a successful and fulfilling career in Health Services Administration.*
What general advice would you give to a Practice Administrator?
M. Paige Powell PhD, MHA: I think that data analytics and visualization will become more important in the next few years. Being able to tell a story with data is helpful for performance and quality improvement. I also think that a deeper understanding of social determinants of health and health equity is needed because medical care accounts for such a small contribution to our overall health.
What will help Practice Administrators increase their earning potential?
M. Paige Powell PhD, MHA: Gaining as much experience as possible while in school can help to maximize salaries. This could be through patient-facing jobs, internships, case competitions, or volunteering. Take on leadership roles within your program or extracurricular organizations. Some organizations are open to negotiating starting salaries, so know the cost of living in the relevant geographic area, the marketability of the skills in the job you are seeking, and what value you can provide to the organization.
Linda Galocy
Director and Assistant Dean, Clinical Associate ProfessorIndiana University Northwest
Health Information Management Programs
What skills stand out on Practice Administrator resumes?
Linda Galocy: Revenue Cycle Management, Data Analytics, Information Governance, Privacy and Security of health information.
What soft skills should all Practice Administrators possess?
Linda Galocy: Writing skills, communication, organization, the ability to multi-task, critical thinking skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Practice Administrators?
Linda Galocy: Technical skills are dependent on the job, but working with multiple types of software at one time is very common in the health information profession. Patient records are electronic. Therefore, the ability to learn and adapt to electronic health record systems is a must. In addition, supportive software is typically used in order to get the work done, such as an encoder, which allows a medical coder to assign codes to a patient record, a release of information system that is utilized for tracking requests for patient records from the time the request is received until it is complete. The ability for
+a health information professional to understand an entire process, such as the revenue cycle. There are many individuals involved in the process of obtaining payment for healthcare services rendered, and it is important for everyone to do their job, do it correctly, and when errors occur, work together to correct those errors.
What skills will help Practice Administrators earn the most?
Linda Galocy: Look for certifications. Health information professionals have two national certifications, the RHIT, and RHIA depending on the level of education that has been completed by a graduate. In addition, there are other certifications that a professional can obtain depending on their area of expertise. A clinical documentation improvement specialist can obtain a CDIP credential through AHIMA or a CCDS credential through ACDIS. AHIMA also provides certification in healthcare privacy and security, the CHPS, HIMSS offers the CAHIMS and CPHIMS credentials for professionals more focused on healthcare information and management of systems.
Jessica Cataldo Ph.D.
Assistant Professor & Internship CoordinatorSouthern Illinois University Carbondale
Health Care Management Program
What skills stand out on Practice Administrator resumes?
Jessica Cataldo Ph.D.: Across all groups, communication skills were identified as the most important competency domain to a successful healthcare management career, followed by leadership skills, professionalism, and knowledge of the healthcare environment. Communication skills, such as written and oral communication, relationship management, and facilitation and negotiation, are essential to foster productive interactions with staff and patients and to mobilize action. The COVID pandemic has emphasized the need for communication and leadership skills for health care managers, especially given the rapid change that has occurred since March 2020. Being able to create an organizational climate that can support that level of change management is critically important to continued success.
What soft skills should all Practice Administrators possess?
Jessica Cataldo Ph.D.: Much of health administration requires strong, soft skills, such as communication and leadership; however, technical skills are also important. Financial management, such as budgeting and revenue cycle management, billing/coding; project management; and data analysis skills are important. Additionally, computer skills are critical in today's environment. Medical and administrative software, such as electronic health records, are integral parts of every healthcare organization, and data analysis programs, such as Microsoft Excel or Tableau, are used regularly by administrators. And of course, we cannot overlook the importance of a strong understanding of the healthcare environment, such as an understanding of state and federal regulations.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Practice Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Robin Kerkstra: Dental healthcare providers are high in demand and short in supply. This trend is expected to continue because of COVID-19. Many dental professionals had to juggle homeschooling and childcare issues and therefore have had to pull out of the job market. The job market was strong before the pandemic and a year later, the job market continues to be exceptionally strong.
What technical skills for a Practice Administrator stand out to employers?
Robin Kerkstra: Technical skills required for employment as a dental assistant will vary from state to state based on the state's dental practice act. Possessing the certifications needed to perform the technical skills allowed by each state is an important aspect to obtaining employment in the dental field. It will be important to be well-versed and up to date on the latest recommendations for dental offices from the CDC and the American Dental Association related to Covid-19. Additional skills such excellent organization, a detail-oriented personality, good dexterity, professional demeanor, strong communication skills, and a compassionate attitude will stand out to employers.
How have salaries changed over time for Practice Administrators?
Robin Kerkstra: Traditionally salaries remain stable in the dental profession. Wages may increase in the future due to the high demand for dental healthcare providers.
Dan J. Vick MD, DHA, MBA
Graduate Teaching Faculty, Accreditation & Capstone Coordinator, Master of Health Administration ProgramCentral Michigan University
School of Health Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Practice Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Dan J. Vick MD, DHA, MBA: There are a number of trends occurring right now that are driving growth in the healthcare job market, regardless of the pandemic. First, we are seeing a demographic shift as the baby boomers retire and age. In fact, all baby boomers will be eligible for Medicare by 2030. This population will require more healthcare services as they age, including hospital and specialty care, as well as home healthcare. We will also have a need for more long-term care facilities and administrators to help run them.
Second, advances in technology are continuing at a brisk pace. We are seeing continued improvement in diagnostic imaging equipment and robotic surgery instrumentation, as well as the development of new implantable devices for cardiac patients. These are just a few examples. What this means is there will be a need for healthcare providers and support staff who are technologically savvy.
Another technology-dependent area is telehealth. The pandemic has really propelled advances in, and adoption of, telehealth as many people have received care from their providers during the past year via virtual office visits. Telehealth will not go away once the pandemic subsides; it is here to stay. This paradigm shift will create an ongoing need for technically proficient healthcare workers and healthcare administrators to support them.
Finally, there continues to be a shift from inpatient to outpatient care as our healthcare system looks at ways to bend the cost curve for providing care. We are seeing more urgent care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, and walk-in clinics associated with drugstore chains and big-box retailers.
With all of these trends, it comes as no surprise that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting medical and health services managers jobs to grow 32% from 2019 to 2029.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Practice Administrators?
Brian Bossak Ph.D.: In my opinion, courses, knowledge, and abilities that are associated with the development and use of quantitative skills are in high demand and are likely to remain so. These are the core tools used in public health analyses: epidemiology, statistics, biostatistics, and environmental health. Certification in advanced skills training or ancillary technologies, such as sophisticated statistical modeling or familiarity with mapping technologies such as GIS are likely to be advantageous.
What will help Practice Administrators increase their earning potential?
Brian Bossak Ph.D.: In addition to the aforementioned skills development and technical certification as described, management experience and leadership development is useful in regard to career progression.
What skills stand out on Practice Administrator resumes?
Greg Kessler Ph.D.: I am not sure that there are any particular skills that stand out on resumes, but familiarity with instructional design principles should be considered to be very valuable. I also think that knowledge of multimedia principles, social media, and various forms of virtual and immersive experiences. Also, knowledge of AI and the other things I referred to in the trends above.
What Practice Administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Virginia Wilcox: If someone needs to take a gap year, I would suggest they volunteer in an area where children are present and not venture too far away from the REAL WORLD experiences of dealing with diverse and various ages of children consistently. It is very easy to 'forget' the daily ups and downs teachers (well anyone in the field of Education really) experience and to recall only the good or the bad...so you either can't wait to get back and then get blindsided by a bad day or you only recall the bad and have no desire to ever return. Neither of those is realistic experiences as they pertain to what educators experience daily, so take the gap year but go read at a library to kids frequently, coach a rec team, work at summer camp, anything that gets you in front of children (either face to face or virtually) on a regular basis.
What general advice would you give to a Practice Administrator?
Virginia Wilcox: Go into this knowing every single person you encounter was once in your shoes...new, confused, anxious, worried, etc.
The quickest way to make a friend is to ask for help. Everyone (even the most hardened) likes feeling needed and/or appreciated.
So...even if it's as minor as asking for advice on what color to use on the bulletin board or as major as asking for ideas on how to engage an unruly student...
ASK someone not only will you get the assistance you need, you will make their day...AND...you may find that you've made an invaluable step toward a new friendship.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Practice Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Letha Williams Ph.D.: The pandemic is going to place a lot of pressure on healthcare administrators to have better crisis plans, more logistics expertise (i.e., warehousing and managing equipment and supplies), and greater flexibility in terms of staffing.
What skills stand out on Practice Administrator resumes?
Letha Williams Ph.D.: My colleagues and I did a study a few years ago about the types of skills healthcare CEOs look for in health administration graduates and how well universities were in building those skills in graduates. The things that stood out most in terms of needed skills are: demonstrated ability to work in teams, depth of knowledge of the healthcare industry, and analytical skills. I believe these needs are only amplified by the pandemic.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Practice Administrators to find work opportunities?
Letha Williams Ph.D.: I think there are jobs everywhere. Many new graduates are not as flexible as they should be about where they work and are unwilling or unable to move. But in today's market, the new graduate has to be willing to go where a job opportunity exists. New grads can find job opportunities in a number of locations, including job boards at key organizations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy
Assistant ProfessorTarleton State University
Public Administration
What general advice would you give to a Practice Administrator?
Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy: My advice to graduates would be this: do not sell yourself short by taking a job at a lower level than you have to or a job that does not fully utilize your education. Otherwise, why did you spend the time and money, and effort to get your degree? I think many graduates assume that having a degree in a job where it is not required (but preferred) makes them more valuable as employees. I think the opposite is true. I think it devalues their worth to an organization and just makes them cheaper and more replaceable, especially when employers know that they can pay someone less to do the same job if they run into a budget crunch.
If having a degree is considered a plus for a job rather than a necessity, it actually makes their degree less valuable as a perk than if it were a requirement. If a degree is necessary to do a job, then the time, effort, and expense obtaining it was worthwhile because it was necessary to do that job, and also, the employer knows that they have to compensate employees for those costs. There is nothing wrong with working your way up, paying your dues, etc. but starting at a lower rung just makes a longer, harder climb to the top. They may have upward mobility more than somebody without a degree, but they will be compensated less than they are worthwhile waiting for something better to manifest. I would exhort graduates to start as high as they can and not settle for underemployment. Find a job where your knowledge, skills, and abilities are put to complete use, and the degree you earned to get those assets is not wasted or unfairly compensated.
What Practice Administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy: I think this piggybacks a little bit on what I said above on finding a way to distinguish oneself from the competition. Anything done during a gap year would hopefully yield some knowledge, skill, or ability that can be listed as a bullet point on their resume that others may not have. Suppose a student just wants to travel to China for a while and see the Great Wall. "Back-packed in the Orient" would not be a resume bullet but "conversational in Mandarin" would be. To a lesser extent, "Cultural competency with Chinese colleagues and associates" would be, and if asked, the student could explain their familiarity with Chinese customs and etiquette came from extensive time abroad. That might give the students an advantage in certain jobs, but just being able to speak another language could be a job in itself, like as a translator. Whatever a student does during a gap year, ideally, they should walk away with a skill that someone will pay for.
Unfortunately, because of economic realities, a lot of students just take the year off to work and they work in a job where a year of experience won't necessarily count for much (if anything) when they graduate with their expected degree. This goes for both high school graduates and college graduates taking a break before their next degree. I've read the arguments about the benefits of taking a gap year, but aside from students that are on a waiting list for a prestigious program who just have time to kill, I personally find the concept of a gap year to be ill-advised as a general rule, more so between an undergraduate degree and masters or masters and doctorate. Often times the pitfalls outweigh the benefits at any stage. It just presents an opportunity for life to get in the way of something a student knows they want to do, or it delays it. Someone fresh out of high school taking a gap year to get a skill that they think will benefit them in their career after graduation might find themselves in a completely different career by the time they graduate. And university graduates who plan to further their education- taking a break or just working for a while before graduate school can put them at a disadvantage. Taking a break makes graduate school potentially harder once they have gotten used to living without that stress, the transition back to a student can be unnecessarily difficult than if they went straight through.
Those who start their career with a bachelor's degree when they know they need more than can make life choices and financial commitments that are very difficult to keep in grad school. Perhaps they financed a car or became invested in a project they don't want to abandon but would have easier with a master's degree. Or they start a family and now have to juggle caring for and providing for their family with getting the next degree they need when caring for family would have likely been easier if they had an advanced degree. My bachelor's degree was in social work and many of my classmates decided that they just wanted to work for a while before attending grad school, only to find their return to school delayed and all of the experience they gain with that license not translating into an advantage after they graduated and were looking for a job with the higher license. Essentially many of them just had to play catch-up to those that went straight through and started their career at a higher level. Starting at one level when you know that you need the next level can just be lost time, especially since starting with a bang would only put off working for two years to get the next degree.
I had classmates that intended to go back after a year or two, but by the time they intended to return, they fell in love, got married, had beautiful babies, and all of these blessings meant that they couldn't walk away from a job and health insurance to study full-time. This meant it was harder and took far longer and increased their time working for lower pay, whereas if they hadn't taken a break, they would be working full-time at a higher pay with no classes to juggle. I'm not suggesting that people put off life until school is done or delay marriage, children, or buying a home in favor of going back to school if that is their next step in life, only that they can't assume that it'll be easy to just pick up where they left off if they choose to wait.
Less fortunate things can happen as well, like health crises and caregiving, developing an illness, or having to care for aging parents. These things would have been easier if they have chosen to go straight through. These are some reasons why I think taking a gap year is risky. But if anybody wants to take a gap year, I would be conscientious not to commit to anything that would delay returning to school or not make up for that time by giving them a competitive edge. Otherwise, a year off can easily turn into a decade and it can just add up to lost time.
What type of skills will young Practice Administrators need?
James R. Thompson Ph.D.: Graduates with communication and data analysis skills will be able to command a premium in the public administration job market. Communication skills include written and oral communication and mastery of new technologies that facilitate the creation of relationships across sectors and between governments and citizens. Data analysis includes, in particular, a facility in the interpretation of large data sets.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Practice Administrator job market given the pandemic?
D. Keith Robbins Ph.D.: There will be a lull in January or February in all sectors as the efficacy of Covid vaccination protocols, availability, and willingness of significant proportions of the population to take the vaccine are assessed. Hospitality will continue to contract, and retailing will as well with the post-holiday slow down. There will be a tendency to delay hiring until the timing of the recovery in these sectors becomes clearer. May graduates should have a much better lag between graduation and "real job" startup. The degree to which traditional employers - in this region of the country that would be financial services and manufacturing - return to their brick and mortar offices or plants will determine their resurgence as employers.
What skills stand out on Practice Administrator resumes?
D. Keith Robbins Ph.D.: That part hasn't changed a lot. Of course GPAs are still important, but beyond that leadership roles in student organizations, internship experience, and technical skills will get you to the interview. It will be the self-presentation skills that will make the difference in an increasingly competitive market. Oral and written communication skills are a large part of that, as well as emotional intelligence and poise. In terms of sectors seeking employees, the health care industry will see explosive growth. The CBA has an excellent Health Care Management Program - the best in the state of South Carolina - and those students all have excellent jobs by graduation, but the industry will need more entry-level folks than health care programs are able to supply.
What type of skills will young Practice Administrators need?
Dr. Mary F. Heller: Young graduates will need to emerge into the profession as. . .
-Caring and flexible individuals who understand how to design and deliver developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant pedagogy to our diverse student populations.
-Technologically savvy teachers can use a state of the art computer software and Internet platforms to support teaching and learning.
-Life-long learners who are not hesitant to reach out to others through professional development or graduate work keep current in their respective fields.
What experience really stands out on Practice Administrator resumes?
Dr. Mary F. Heller: Items that stand out on resumes of graduates coming into the profession include but are not limited to. . .
-an earned baccalaureate degree from a state-accredited teacher preparation program housed in a regionally approved university.
-in addition to a general education teaching license, additional licenses in a high need area such as Special Education, English --Language Learners, and STEM (Math, Science, Technology)
-experience teaching in several grade levels or in multiple disciplines
-documented community service
-leadership skills as evidence in community service or undergraduate student government
-membership in professional organizations, such as the National Education Association (NEA)
Jerome Bozek
Medical practice administratorGeorge Mason University
Healthcare Administration Program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Practice Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Jerome Bozek: The biggest issue is the overall economic uncertainty. Will the pandemic get worse over the next few months? More shutdowns? More government assistance? What will be the impact of the vaccine? Many businesses are afraid to hire because of these reasons. It makes it challenging for new grads in finding a position.
What Practice Administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jerome Bozek: I am not big on gap years, per se. With that said, it is important to use any opportunity to gain skills in certain areas, such as public speaking, enhancement of computer skills, and obtaining a basic understanding of accounting and finance, for both business and personal use. It is also good to volunteer for an organization or cause you to believe in it. Plus, you will meet many new people in doing so.
What skills stand out on Practice Administrator resumes?
Dr. Anna Frank: First, a degree from a highly respected university. Our graduates have been highly sought after. Experience working with a variety of individuals in a variety of settings is significant. Future professionals must then be committed to social justice, how are explicit in supporting the health and recreational needs of ALL individuals, not just those who can purchase a Peloton.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Practice Administrators to find work opportunities?
Dr. Anna Frank: This was on ZipRecruiter-outdoor jobs.
Try the Top Five
If location isn't a factor in your outdoor job search, then consider heading to one of the top five states who offer the most employment opportunities to be had under the sun (and stars). Those are:
1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. New York
5. North Carolina
Jacqueline Strenio Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorSouthern Oregon University
Economics Affiliated Faculty, Healthcare Administration Affiliated Faculty, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Practice Administrators?
Jacqueline Strenio Ph.D.: It's hard to predict the full effect of the novel coronavirus pandemic on graduates as it is, indeed, novel. It has drastically changed the overall macroeconomy and the landscape of work itself by necessitating the rapid transition to remote work and accelerating disruptions in major industries. However, in terms of the coronavirus pandemic's recessionary effects on graduates, we can look to past recessions to make predictions about potential enduring impacts.
Previous research on the effects of graduating into a recession finds that it is associated with initially lower earnings and more job switching, effects that can linger for years. It has even been linked to poorer health in middle age. A lot of these impacts result from the fact that fewer jobs are available overall, reducing the quality of the initial employment offer or the match between employee and employer.
These effects may be amplified for women and BIPOC graduates who already face labor market discrimination. On the demand side, this means employers must evaluate their hiring criteria, making sure they are not disproportionately disadvantaging these populations. On the supply-side, I would encourage graduates to be open to various jobs that may be different from those they initially imagined. Continuing to look for new and better matches as the economy improves will also help combat these initial earnings losses.
However, there is good news for college graduates: recent research has found that these impacts are less severe for those with college degrees than those with high school degrees. So, for those close to graduating, I would strongly encourage them to complete their degrees despite the challenges of remote learning.
What type of skills will young Practice Administrators need?
Jacqueline Strenio Ph.D.:
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's the importance of data literacy and the social sciences. Employers will be looking for evidence of these skills on resumes and expect them of new hires.
Data literacy refers to interpreting data and understanding its limitations and the ability to communicate with data clearly. This doesn't just mean having the technical skills to manage and analyze data and convey insights from such analyses. Employers will be looking for workers who can describe the results and implications of those analyses, requiring strong written and oral communication skills.
The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of the social sciences. Although a vaccine didn't emerge from the social sciences, insights from such disciplines are critical in constructing vaccine rollouts and other socially-acceptable policies that account for human behavior. The social sciences, including economics, will also help rebuild our communities in more sustainable and inclusive ways in the post-pandemic world. Young graduates entering the workforce that understand human nature and can critically evaluate policies and procedures from a social scientific perspective will be invaluable to employers for their ability to think technically and creatively and account for social norms and human behavior. More generally, creative and innovative thinking and the ability to be flexible are imperative. These things are a core part of any liberal arts curriculum. Graduates should emphasize these liberal arts skills in addition to technical career training.
What experience really stands out on Practice Administrator resumes?
Jacqueline Strenio Ph.D.: See Question 2.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Practice Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Karla Sluis: I think there will be an increased need for community-based behavioral healthcare (counseling, psychiatry, and substance-use treatment). I'm hopeful that more funding will support the need for additional behavioral healthcare providers across the country - particularly in schools and underserved rural areas like Southwest Colorado. Telehealth has been a successful experiment in our agency, and I think there will be an increasing need for IT professionals who can help bridge the gap of customer service and connect patients to their healthcare providers.
What Practice Administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Karla Sluis: Graduates in all health fields should study the model of integrated healthcare and learn best practices for communicating and working with diverse providers outside their specific field. It would be helpful to study the approach to care for underserved populations, such as youth, seniors, LGBTQ, and migrant workers. An exploration of telehealth would be useful, including familiarity with various video chat platforms. Improving customer service skills is also helpful when Google Reviews can make or break a business reputation. Grads might also learn another language to better serve patients in their region. The app Duolingo is my personal favorite, and it's fun!
What general advice would you give to a Practice Administrator?
Karla Sluis: Your career will likely be a winding journey - not a single destination. You may end up in a totally different role than you thought you would. Follow your interests and be open to changing jobs. Be grateful for the experience you gain, and don't make the mistake of flaming or bad-mouthing an employer when you move on. Heal thyself! Remember self-care in this giving profession, and be mindful of your inner slave-driver. Take your lunch breaks, schedule your vacations, and practice what you preach with a healthy diet and exercise.
Teresa C. Smith MBA, PHR
Executive Director of Human ResourcesSIU School of Medicine
Office of Human Resources
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Practice Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Teresa C. Smith MBA, PHR: I believe the biggest trend we will see in the job market is a shift to remote work and alternative work arrangements. The days of onsite, 8-hour shifts will not be as prevalent or required any longer. Companies have been forced to find solutions to maintain operations while following stringent health and safety protocols, which include limited space capacity and functioning during the stay at home orders. This has pushed us into being more flexible and creative. We have pushed our boundaries and have grown as a result.
What skills stand out on Practice Administrator resumes?
Teresa C. Smith MBA, PHR: Skills that stand out to me on resumes are solution building, collaboration, and an eagerness to learn. Communication is such a critical component of effectiveness, especially now. Given the pandemic, we have all had to learn to continue to connect in the midst of turmoil and disruption.