Healthcare & Human Services

Medical and Health Services Manager

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AVG. SALARY

$124,270

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Increasing

What To Learn

High School

Suggested Steps to Prepare for a Medical and Health Services Manager Career (Grades 6-12)

Check out the recommended classes, activities and skills below for each grade level. These recommendations are very general -- discuss your specific course plan with your school counselors and teachers.

AI-assisted and curriculum-reviewed guidance. Talk with your counselor or teacher about your specific plan.
Grades 6-8

Helpful Classes

  • Communication
  • Health
  • Social Studies
  • Technology

Things to Try

  • Practice listening carefully and helping someone solve a simple problem step by step, Volunteer with a community, school, or service project that supports people, Observe how helpers keep information organized and communicate respectfully, Interview a medical and health services manager about support, trust, and documentation

Focus Skills

  • Active listening
  • Observation
  • Documentation
  • Communication
  • Support

Helpful Classes

  • Health
  • English
  • Psychology
  • Computer Applications
  • Civics

Recommended Learning Areas

  • wellness
  • communication
  • service roles
  • recordkeeping
  • community awareness

Things to Try

  • Volunteer with peer mentoring, youth programs, food drives, or community support events, Practice writing clear notes after a mock conversation or service activity, Learn how intake forms, schedules, and follow-up steps help people get support, Shadow a medical and health services manager or service provider to see how needs are assessed

Focus Skills

  • Active listening
  • Observation
  • Documentation
  • Communication
  • Support

Helpful Classes

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Health Science
  • English
  • Public Speaking

Recommended Learning Areas

  • human behavior
  • support services
  • interviewing
  • confidentiality
  • case notes

Things to Try

  • Role-play intake questions, active listening, and respectful problem-solving, Help organize resources, referrals, or sign-up information for a school or community program, Observe how workers balance empathy, privacy, and accurate recordkeeping, Research local services and build a simple resource guide for students or families

Focus Skills

  • Active listening
  • Observation
  • Documentation
  • Communication
  • Support

Helpful Classes

  • Human Services
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • Writing

Recommended Learning Areas

  • community resources
  • intake procedures
  • crisis response
  • documentation
  • ethics

Things to Try

  • Assist with a community program and document participation, referrals, or follow-up steps, Practice writing case notes, summaries, or resource lists based on mock scenarios, Compare how agencies support children, families, older adults, or people in crisis, Interview professionals about ethics, boundaries, and service coordination

Focus Skills

  • Active listening
  • Observation
  • Documentation
  • Communication
  • Support

Helpful Classes

  • Human Services Practicum
  • Psychology
  • Family Studies
  • Communication
  • Ethics

Recommended Learning Areas

  • case coordination
  • advocacy
  • family support
  • service planning
  • professional boundaries

Things to Try

  • Build a portfolio with intake forms, support plans, referral guides, and reflection notes, Complete a capstone on advocacy, service coordination, or community support, Compare pathways in counseling, social services, rehabilitation, and community programs, Practice documentation, confidentiality, and professional communication

Focus Skills

  • Active listening
  • Observation
  • Documentation
  • Communication
  • Support

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Bachelor's degree

Medical and health services managers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation; however, educational requirements vary by facility and specific function. Prospective managers also typically need work experience in an administrative or clinical role in a hospital or other healthcare facility

Insider Info

Additional Information

High school students should have a solid base in mathematics, English, economics, business and accounting. A second language can also be helpful in some institutions.

Try to find part-time work or a summer job in a hospital or health-care environment. Also keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities in the health-care system.

Start with a bachelor's degree in the social sciences, commerce, public administration or in health science. Postgraduate training in health services administration is then required for students who want to progress to senior positions in the field.

A master's degree in hospital administration, health administration, public health or business administration is the standard educational requirement for this field. Specific requirements vary with the size of institution and the amount of responsibility involved.

Extra Requirements

Some medical and health services managers need a state-issued license and some positions may require candidates to be licensed as a registered nurse or social worker. Although certification is not required, some managers choose to earn a professional credential. The American Health Information Management Association and the Project Management Institute offer certification specific to their areas of focus.

For additional information, visit these websites: