3 Pathways Toward a Supportive Role in Healthcare

Discover Your Path to a Supportive Role In Healthcare

Are you interested in a career in healthcare but not in providing direct patient care? If so, you may be excited to learn there are several behind-the-scenes roles that are equally important as those involving medical diagnoses and treatment.

Whether providing medical practitioners with the resources and time required to deliver better care, advocating for patients in medical malpractice cases, or serving in other supportive capacities, these positions make a substantial difference in the field.

To give you more insight into the possibilities, we detail three of them below, along with the UC Online degrees available to assist you in pursuing them.

Health Service Managers

As the backbone of the healthcare industry, health service managers—also known as healthcare managers or administrators—play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operations of healthcare entities. In addition to setting policies, goals, and procedures for their departments or facilities, they also oversee the day-to-day activities that keep them running efficiently.

• Duties include hiring, scheduling, and evaluating staff; monitoring compliance with state and federal guidelines; and developing reports and budgets.
• The median annual wage was $104,830 in 2022, with employment expected to grow 28 percent by 2032, per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• To gain the knowledge and skills needed for effective healthcare management, individuals can enroll in the UC Online Master of Health Administration.

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

Healthcare is rapidly evolving, and professionals worldwide are embracing innovation by transitioning to more technology-based roles. In this era of informatics, skilled experts—called medical records and health information technicians—gather and analyze patient data to provide crucial insights for legal requests, authorizations, and record-keeping purposes.

• Duties include recording patient information for symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and insurance billing.
• The median annual wage was $47,180 in 2022, with employment expected to grow 8 percent by 2032, per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• To learn how to better use data to improve patient care delivery and overall population health, individuals can enroll in the UC Online Master of Health Informatics.

IT and Information Security Analyst

Healthcare facilities’ demands for qualified IT workers who can manage their systems, protect their data, and create new products are increasing. These IT and information security analysts install software, such as firewalls, to protect computer networks and systems and set security measures to protect them.

• Duties include installing and operating firewalls, data encryption programs, and other software, monitoring their organization for security breaches, and even simulating attacks to look for vulnerabilities in their system.
• The median annual wage was $112,000 in 2022, with employment projected to grow 32 percent by 2032, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• To stand at the intersection of people, information, and technology, individuals can enroll in the UC Online Associate of Applied Business in Information Technology or Master of Science in Information Technology.

Are You a Beginner Interested in Pursuing Higher-Level Roles?

UC Online offers degree pathways tailored to help you reach new heights in your career by equipping you with the knowledge, skills, and qualifications needed to advance to higher-level roles. With their expert guidance, you’ll be well-positioned to achieve your desired position and make a meaningful impact in your field.

• Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Systems: Provides the skills needed to manage patient health information for accuracy, protection, and accessibility to healthcare providers.
• Associate of Applied Business in Healthcare Management Technology: Teaches students to manage business processes in healthcare, create budgets and plans, set departmental goals, and improve service quality.
• Associate of Applied Science in Public Health: Prepares students to keep people and communities safe and healthy by using an upstream approach to examine potential issues impacting communities.
• Bachelor of Health Information Management: Prepares students to gather, analyze, manage and secure all forms of important medical information to help improve the quality of patient care.
• Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences: Educates students on how to utilize scientific research and practical application to improve population health through a wide array of specialties related to the delivery of health care.
• Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies in Applied Administration: Healthcare Leadership: Prepares students to become leaders in the healthcare industry, emphasizing equity, inclusion, and professional practice for diverse patient and student populations.

The UC Online Difference

In the healthcare industry, it’s a common misconception that providing direct patient care is the only way to contribute to the field. In reality, UC Online offers non-clinical healthcare programs that provide a unique blend of technical and qualitative skills, enabling you to excel in your current role while preparing for future leadership positions. Our courses are delivered entirely online, providing flexibility to working professionals who wish to obtain a degree without compromising their commitments or relinquishing their current employment.

Ready to learn more? Explore our online programs or connect with a UC Online advisor today to take your first step toward a brighter future.