A master’s-level graduate is trained in the administrative aspects of a healthcare facility through an administrative fellowship, which is offered by hospitals, academic medical centers, and non-profit healthcare organizations. Post-graduate students in the fields of health and finance are eligible for fellowships. The fellowship lasts one to two years, depending on the institution, and focuses on the management of healthcare and support services delivery. Fellows are prepared to work as healthcare administrators in large, integrated healthcare systems after completing the program.
Administrative fellowships are competitive, and only those with specific master’s degrees — Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA), Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or Master of Public Administration — are eligible to apply (MPA). To be eligible, people with an MPH or MPA must have taken and passed coursework in healthcare administration. To apply, you’ll need your graduate and undergraduate transcripts, as well as grades of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Professorial letters of recommendation and essays are usually required. Typically, an institution selects no more than two to four applicants per year, depending on the institution.
Applicants for administrative fellowships must have prior experience as an intern or staff member in the healthcare field, depending on the institution. Business management, clinical research, practice management, human resources, and computer systems knowledge are also advantageous. Administrative fellowship programs usually start in the summer. Those who are accepted are given a stipend as well as full benefits, which include medical, dental, life, and disability insurance.
Fellows will follow a rigorous course of study that includes healthcare organization procedures and participation in overall healthcare management operations. To gain a better understanding of large healthcare facilities, they work directly with physicians and administrative staff members. Administrative fellowship students are frequently required to participate in department rotations, giving them firsthand experience with the entire system’s clinical, financial, ambulatory, operational, and quality of patient care aspects.
The fellowship program was created to ensure that fellows gained hands-on experience and were actively involved in the administrative functions of healthcare facilities. Fellows will be able to join the management team at academic hospitals, medical clinics, and healthcare research facilities after completing the administrative fellowship program. Students will have mastered analytical and human relation skills, as well as a working knowledge of the structure of a medical institution and the various departments and staff members. Many students go on to work as hospital administrators or department heads at the same hospitals where they completed their fellowship.