Considering the fact that there is a number of increasingly complex healthcare systems, the need for skilled healthcare administrators and managers in New Mexico and throughout the U.S. is constant and the demand cannot be met.
Candidates who possess bachelors—and often masters—degrees are needed and as a result, degrees in health administration are increasing in popularity and availability.
You are offered numerous opportunities to pursue an education in health administration both online and on-campus and we will provide you with all the information you would need to begin your journey towards this career.
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Health Administration Degrees in New Mexico
Students can select from accredited online programs offered, being that there are no campus locations that offer CAHME-accredited healthcare administration programs in this state.
Bachelor’s degrees in healthcare administration are usually structured as Bachelor of Health Administration (BHA) or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
These students are taught how to make effective decisions in finance, strategic planning, human resource management, marketing, and information systems.
These programs consist of about 120-semester credits and four years of full-time study and upon graduation, students can enter a master’s degree program in healthcare administration or a similar field or look for entry- or mid-level positions in a variety of settings.
Besides general education courses, bachelor’s core coursework often includes:
- Healthcare quality management
- Healthcare databases and technologies
- Principles of finance
- Healthcare process measurement
- Health organizations professional practice standards
Master’s Degrees in Health Administration is taken as a standard requirement for senior-level healthcare administration jobs.
Master’s degrees in healthcare administration graduates will be prepared to become leaders in the delivery of healthcare and they will possess the skills and knowledge needed to take on upper-level positions.
The titles of these degrees may vary accordingly:
- Master of Health Administration (MHA)
- Master of Public Health (MPH) with a Concentration in Health Administration
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Health Administration
- Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a Concentration in Health Administration
- Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA)
- Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA)
The structure of a master’s degree program may also vary based on the type of curriculum.
Many institutions offer residential programs for traditional students who prefer on-campus study.
Others offer executive programs for professionals possessing experience in healthcare administration.
Furthermore, there are healthcare administration master’s degrees that are offered through online study or hybrid models, which feature both on-campus and online course options.
Master’s degrees in health administration require candidates to possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and it can be from a variety of backgrounds – from business management to finance to accounting to human resources and healthcare-related degrees, such as nursing.
Having a bachelor’s degree is not the only requirement set by institutions that candidates are required to meet, as they need to possess the following as well:
- Minimum undergraduate GPA
- Minimum GRE scores
- Admission essays/interviews
- Resumes
- Prior experience in healthcare administration (executive degrees)
Master’s degree core coursework often includes topics such as:
- Health information technology and administration
- Healthcare finance
- Leadership and team development in healthcare
- Organizational design and delivery systems
- Legal, ethical, and compliance issues
- Research methods for healthcare administrators
Before the end of their programs, students are required to do a capstone project or master’s thesis and apply their gained knowledge to an in-depth study of a topic in healthcare administration.
Job Postings in Healthcare Administration in New Mexico
You can take a look at the following job posts which are included in our article for illustrative purposes only.
We just wanted to provide graduates of health administration degree programs with a clear understanding of the types of jobs available in New Mexico and what requirements they will need to meet so as to get them:
Health Services Administrator, Milan – He/she will manage the facility’s medical program activities and provide overall direction and leadership, so a degree in nursing or a healthcare/business-related field is required.
Administrator, Santa Fe, Albuquerque – this person will develop and maintain key community and political relationships, meaning that a master’s degree in business or health administration or a related field is necessary.
Director of Practice Operations, Espanola – He/she will be responsible and accountable for all administrative aspects of the specialty clinics and this position requires a master’s degree in healthcare/business administration or CMPE certification, as well as, at least 5 years of experience working in a complex health environment.
Executive Director, Santa Fe – He/she will directly support and lead the day-to-day operations of the assisted living facility, including establishing and maintaining systems so a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or healthcare administration is necessary.
Possible Employers and Professional Resources for Health Administrators in New Mexico
Now that you have become a graduate of health administration, you can start your job search by examining opportunities in some of the state’s largest hospital/healthcare systems, such as:
- Lovelace Medical Center, Albuquerque
- Presbyterian Hospital, Albuquerque
- UNM Hospital, Albuquerque
- UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center, Rio Rancho
- Vincent Regional Medical Center, Santa Fe
- Los Alamos Medical Center, Los Alamos
By becoming a member of one of the following professional associations, you will get access to valuable resources of healthcare administration jobs:
- New Mexico Hospital Association
- New Mexico Healthcare Association
- New Mexico Center for Assisted Living
- New Mexico Primary Care Association
- New Mexico Association for Home and Hospice Care
- New Mexico Medical Society
- New Mexico Hispanic Medical Association
Health Administration Salaries and Job Growth in New Mexico
The New Mexico Workforce Connection reported that the median healthcare administration salary in the state is $106433.
Salaries for entry-level positions averaged at $94984, while experienced professionals earned an average of $120036.
The median salary among healthcare administrators in New Mexico is highest in the Northern workforce region, which includes Santa Fe.
According to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, it is indicated that the job outlook for healthcare administrators in New Mexico is holding strong and that in the 10-year period, it can be expected that the number of jobs for healthcare administrators increases by 16%.
That means, approximately 42% of job openings each year are expected to be from the increasing demand for healthcare administrators.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Healthcare Administrators in New Mexico
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $109,488 |
| Las Cruces | $98,980 |
| Santa Fe | $110,042 |
| Rio Rancho | $109,139 |
| Roswell | $102,124 |
| Farmington | $108,019 |
| Alamogordo | $103,871 |
| Clovis | $103,155 |
| Hobbs | $100,459 |
| Carlsbad | $102,124 |
Regional Salary in New Mexico
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 1,240 | $136,060 | $65.41 | $213,500 | $74,230 |
| Farmington, NM | 110 | $123,210 | $59.24 | $174,780 | $81,900 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 190 | $107,550 | $51.71 | $161,800 | $60,000 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 230 | $114,210 | $54.91 | $173,370 | $68,280 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
