If you are wondering what kind of job healthcare administrators do, we would like to inform you that they play an indispensable role in managing fiscal and human resources within the healthcare sector to ensure efficient operations and top-quality patient care.
Becoming a health administrator or manager in South Dakota will give you access to numerous opportunities.
The growing demand for healthcare services in South Dakota and the job growth in the field of healthcare administration are due to an aging population and the expansion of health coverage.
There are educational options for experienced administrators eager to reach executive positions and for new students looking to begin their studies at the undergraduate level.
Options include both online programs and programs at campus locations throughout the state.
Page Navigation
Health Administration Degrees in South Dakota
Due to the fact that there are no campus locations that offer CAHME-accredited healthcare administration programs in this state, students are suggested to select from accredited online programs.
Earning an undergraduate degree in the field of business makes you equipped with relevant skills, but South Dakota residents can choose among more relevant programs that are specific to this field, such as:
- Bachelor of Health Administration (BHA)
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Administration
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Services Administration
Undergraduate Degrees in Healthcare Administration can be achieved by finishing a four-year bachelor’s program which consists of at least 120-semester credits.
The first 60 credits are related to general education courses and prerequisites for specific classes, while the latter 60 credits cover core major topics that include:
- Strategic planning and healthcare management
- Health care informatics
- Human resource management
- Healthcare payers, consumers, and resources
- Analysis of financial statements in healthcare
- Legal issues in the healthcare
- Supply chain and operations management
- Restructuring healthcare organizations
Prospective students in South Dakota can attend bachelor’s degree programs in health administration in one of the following cities:
- Vermillion
- Sioux Falls
- Rapid City
More advanced executive-level jobs require that an applicant possess a master’s in health administration or other closely related degrees.
Graduate degree options available to South Dakota residents include:
- Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management or Administration
- MHA/MBA dual degree program
- Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MSHA)
Graduate programs will admit students who have earned an undergraduate degree in any subject provided they meet the school’s stated experience and course prerequisite requirements.
There are also admitted students who have a background in a health-related discipline, like nursing.
Common admission requirements set by the majority of schools which offer graduate programs include:
- Personal essay
- Letters of recommendation
- Minimum undergraduate GPA
- Completion of specific course prerequisites
- Professional work experience
- Current employment in the healthcare industry
Graduate programs usually last from 12 to 24 months and range from 30-60 semester credits.
Before graduation, it is required that a student does a capstone research project or thesis.
Some of the subjects that are covered in the master’s program are:
- Advanced healthcare management
- Strategy for the management of large healthcare organizations
- Global economics for healthcare managers
- Medical informatics
- Advanced healthcare policy and law
- Quantitative methods for evaluating and improving healthcare organizations
- Data analysis for decision making
- Compliance for accreditation
- Healthcare marketing
- Decision management
Students can find relevant degree programs either online or through schools with campus locations in the cities of Vermillion and Sioux Falls.
Job Postings in Healthcare Administration in South Dakota
The main reason why we gathered these job postings is to show both experienced and aspiring professionals in the healthcare administration field what kind of positions are available for them and what kind of education they can start pursuing so as to get their ideal job.
Avera Medical Group in Yankton – Health Informaticist Clinic Manager – Planning, organizing, and directing all aspects of clinical operations in this clinic are some of his/her duties so preferred applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration, nursing, education, or a related field such as healthcare administration.
Avera Health in Sioux Falls – EMR Optimization Specialist – this professional will be working with electronic medical records so preferred candidates should hold at least a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business, nursing, or a related field.
Rapid City Regional Hospital – Director of Regional Value Improvement System – He/she will be responsible for the improvement of operational efficiency and patient outcomes; preferred candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business, engineering, or an MBA.
Sanford Webster Medical Center and Bethesda Home, located in Sanford – Chief Executive Officer – This person duties will include assessing, allocating, and responding to community needs, organizational goals, financial resources, so candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business, or another healthcare-related field to be considered eligible for this position.
Possible Employers and Professional Resources for Health Administrators in South Dakota
We are glad to say that South Dakota residents can find helpful resources throughout the state regarding employment opportunities and professional development.
Largest Employers of Healthcare Administrators and Managers
- Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls
- Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls
- Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell
- Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton
- Avera Saint Luke’s in Aberdeen
- Avera Saint Mary’s Hospital in Pierre
- Brookings Health System
- Rapid City Regional Hospital
- Sturgis Regional Hospital
- VA Black Hills Health Care System in Fort Meade and Hot Springs
- Royal C Johnson Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Sioux Falls
- Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota
Professional Resources
- South Dakota Medical Group Management Association
- South Dakota Healthcare Executive Group
- South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations
- South Dakota Health Information Management Association
- South Dakota Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association
- Health Management Associates
- Health Care Administrators Association
- American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
Health Administration Salaries and Job Growth in South Dakota
Healthcare administrators in South Dakota enjoy salaries that often exceed the national average, being that they range from $88956 for entry-level health administrators to up to $112419 for those holding executive positions.
The median salary for these professionals is $99679 which is around the national average of $99,730.
Job growth in the healthcare administration field is expected to remain strong, with a 12.7% increase projected in the next decade.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Healthcare Administrators in South Dakota
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $102,054 |
| Rapid City | $101,064 |
| Aberdeen | $94,904 |
| Watertown | $100,307 |
| Brookings | $100,307 |
| Mitchell | $100,307 |
| Pierre | $96,651 |
| Yankton | $98,072 |
| Huron | $97,606 |
| Vermillion | $95,836 |
Regional Salary in South Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 140 | $118,360 | $56.9 | $164,510 | $75,080 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 410 | $133,740 | $64.3 | $216,600 | $79,350 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
