Clinic Managers

High School

A well-rounded education will provide a good foundation for the administrative and human resource management skills needed in clinic manager work. Take classes in science, math, business management, health, sociology, and psychology. English, writing, and foreign language classes will help you to develop the communication skills that are necessary for success in this career.

Postsecondary Education

A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for work as a clinic manager, but many employers prefer to hire clinic managers who hold a master's degree. Clinic managers may hold bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration, health administration, management, or public health administration. They may also have majored in nursing or nursing management. Most master's degree programs include fieldwork in a clinic. Degree programs may combine management and healthcare with courses in medical terminology, hospital organization, and health information systems. Classes cover topics such as clinical informatics, health services management, accounting and budging, human resources management, strategic planning, health economics, health law and ethics, and medical billing. Other helpful courses include psychology, sociology, English, writing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.

There are numerous bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in health service administration and health care administration. A listing of these programs can be found at the Association of University Programs in Healthcare Administration's Web site, https://network.aupha.org/members/findaprogram.

Certification

Colleges and universities, online learning platforms, and professional associations offer certificate programs in healthcare management, financial management, human resources management, artificial intelligence and other types of emerging technology, and other fields. These programs typically last six months to a year.

Other Education or Training

Many professional associations require those who are certified to take continuing education (CE) credits to renew their certification. Taking these in-person classes and webinars is also a good way to keep improving your skills and stay up to date on industry trends. Many professional associations—including the American College of Healthcare Executives, American College of Healthcare Executives, Medical Group Management Association, and the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards—provide CE opportunities.