Health Administration Certification in New York - NY

How to Become a Health Care Administrator in New York

1. Obtain a degree or degrees
   
   

   Health care Administration is a diverse career, so there are many considering health care administration education in New York. It also helps if you have prior field experience or are already an allied health professional and who wants to move ahead into management.

   As a New York administrator, you should earn a bachelor’s degree as a minimum. Most job opportunities expect you to have a master’s degree or even a doctorate, so a post-secondary/ undergraduate degree is a standard credential.

   When learning to be a health care administrator, you should emphasize learning about health services administration, business administration and public health administration. You should also take courses in accounting, financial management, strategic planning and ethics. If you plan to specialize in nursing homes or long-term-care facilities, your study should also include long-term care or nursing facilities administration. 

   Start by finding a New York institution near you that offers both undergraduate and graduate educational programs in health care administration and its different specialties. You also might want to decide on a specialty area such as nursing home administration, patient accounting or policies and procedures. Many of the following professional organizations may have scholarships, fellowships or grants available to you.

   The New York Chapter of the American Association of Healthcare Administration Management (AAHAM) (www.aaham.org) provides statewide information that is New York specific and offers seminars, scholarships and peer advice. The New York Chapter’s website is www.servicesandstuff.com/MidYork.

2. Become certified or licensed as a New York Administrator

New York does not require you to be licensed for most areas of health care administration in New York. If you choose to specialize in patient accounts management or the development of compliance programs, the American Association of Healthcare Administration Management (AAHAM) has certification for those specialties. Both AAHAM exams CPAT (Certified Patient Account Test) and the CCAT (Certified Clinical Account Test) are available to be taken online. For more information go to www.aaham.org or contact:.  

AAHAM
11240 Waples Mill Road, Suite 200
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 281-4043
E-mail: [email protected]

The Institute of Certified Professional Managers (IPM) offers a Certified Manager certificate.  You’ll need to complete approved training and pass their exam:

ICP
598 S. Main St
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone:  1-800-568-4120
www.icpm.biz

If you wish to be an administrator for a New York nursing or long term care facility, the state has extensive requirements including a degree from an accredited educational institution (with a minimum bachelor’s), a state license, qualifying field experience as well as have participation in a board approved internship.

The New York Chapter of American College of Health Care Administrators (www.ache.org) gives more detail on what is required or you can contact the State of New York, Department of Health (www.health.state.ny.us/professionals/nursing_home_administrator).