How can someone transition into a management career within the health industry?

LTC Kevin B. — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 06:36:24 -0400

Have you ever considered leveraging your military background to pursue a management/leadership career within the largest industry in the US (about 1/6th of the overall economy)? The business side of the health industry provides many opportunities (operational jobs, finance, logistics, IM/IT, human resources, strategic planning, marketing, etc.) in a variety of health-related settings (hospitals, physician practices, long-term care, insurance companies, biotech, medical devices, pharmaceutical, consulting firms, etc.). These settings include for-profit, not-for-profit, and governmental organizations all across the country. You do not necessarily need previous healthcare exposure to leverage your military background to transition into this industry, as long as you have a keen interest in understanding what makes this industry unique. With millions of baby boomers retiring each year, combined with longer life expectancies, opportunities will only grow. Plus, if you already have (or are close to completing) a bachelors degree, a graduate education can even set you on a quicker pathway to executive-level jobs within the health industry. If this career pathway interests you, what else would you like to know?

Response by Jason K. made Oct 17 at 2017 7:21 AM

Jason K. — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 07:21:02 -0400

I would get into healthcare staffing. If you are a good person, Arizona is dying to replace the domestic terrorist organizations who currently have contracts with MCSO, city and state.

Response by SSG Mike Wyche made Oct 17 at 2017 8:26 AM

SSG Mike Wyche — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 08:26:17 -0400

I have to agree. This is a growing industry that is challenging and fulfilling. I work in the revenue cycle portion of healthcare. I begin my masters degree in January. I am looking to try to move more into the organizational side of the house.

Response by Mara Hedin made Oct 17 at 2017 9:16 AM

Mara Hedin — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 09:16:09 -0400

I currently work and recruit for Grifols Plasma. A good chunk of the center managers and assistant managers I work with every day are Military. As long as you are comfortable with the fast-paced environment and are willing to learn, we are always looking for great people. We even have training programs that will take you into these roles. This will ALWAYS be an industry where we need people!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 4:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 16:18:01 -0400

I plan on going that route after I get a few years of clinician time under my belt. Do you think an MBA or MHA would be helpful when transitioning from the clinical to the administrative side of the house?

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Oct 17 at 2017 7:47 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 19:47:13 -0400

Jessica Luebke - I know several of your team members might have great advice here.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Oct 18 at 2017 8:43 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 08:43:30 -0400

Good post, LTC Kevin B.. Unbeknownst to me 6 years ago when I retired from the Army, I am now working at the Veterans Health Administration's Office of Community Care (OCC). I never would have anticipated working as a manager/leader in the healthcare industry; however, as you wrote, it is HUGE. I'm only seeing the federal government segment, but the tentacles have very far-reaching impacts of our society.

Response by SSG Phillip Trezza made Oct 19 at 2017 11:40 AM

SSG Phillip Trezza — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 11:40:39 -0400

I work for a program called the Military Medics and Corpsmen Program in Virginia. Feel free to shoot us an email... we might be able to come up with some ideas. https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/education-employment/military-medics-and-corpsmen-program/

Military Medics and Corpsmen (MMAC) Program | Virginia Department of Veterans Services

When an Army Medic, a Navy Corpsman, an Air Force Medical Technician or Coast Guard Health Services Technician leaves military service and enters civilian health care, their ID tags may change from dog tags to a hospital ID badge, but their mission stays the same: Having a rewarding career to support themselves or their family. …