Table of contents
- Health care administration resume examples
- Choose the right resume format for your health care administrator resume
- How to write a health care administrator resume in 5 simple steps
- Add a cover letter
- Key takeaways for your health care administrator resume
- Commonly asked questions about resume writing
Health care administrators are the pillars of medical facility management, striking a balance between administrative expertise and an understanding of health care operations.
But how do you convey your skills and experiences, all while maintaining a professional demeanor and keeping it to one page?
Whether you’re venturing into resume writing for the first time or after many years without writing one — don’t worry. You’re not alone in this. We’ve prepared a guide to help you.
The objective is to create a resume so impactful that it catches the eye of any health care facility manager who reads it.
This guide includes:
- Examples of health care administrator resumes at different career stages.
- Advice on selecting the most suitable resume format and design.
- A detailed writing guide for each section of your resume.
- Optional sections you might consider adding.
- Tips for writing a compelling cover letter.
Need a quick resume solution? Use our Resume Builder to pick a customizable template ideal for a health care administrator position. With our guided suggestions tailored for health care administration, you can easily complete and download your resume in your preferred format.
Health care administration resume examples
Here’s why this resume example works:
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Starts with a resume objective
The resume starts with a clear objective, outlining the candidate’s career goals. This provides a focused introduction laying out direction and motivation in health care administration.
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Includes a summary of qualifications
Instead of extensive work experience, there’s a section summarizing qualifications, where the candidate highlights relevant skills. This shows they’re suitable for the role despite limited on-the-job experience.
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Skills section features headers
The skills section uses bold headers like “Collaboration,” “Problem-Solving” and “Adaptability.” This format allows hiring managers to quickly grasp the candidate’s core competencies, neatly categorized into essential areas.
Here’s why this resume example works:
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Well-organized design
The resume features a professional and easy-to-read layout, essential for conveying a high level of professionalism and organization — key traits in health care administration.
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Metrics back up achievements
The work experience section includes specific numbers related to cost reduction and patient satisfaction. This use of metrics focuses on the candidate’s impact and achievements in previous roles.
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Highlights education
The resume prominently displays educational credentials, including a master’s degree, which is particularly important in the health care administration field. This emphasizes the candidate’s advanced knowledge and commitment to the profession.
Looking for a different resume example? We have plenty of jobs that might interest you.
Choose the right resume format for your health care administrator resume
Creating an effective resume as a health care administrator involves selecting a structure that best highlights your skills and experience in the field.
Consider these distinct resume formats:
- Reverse-chronological: Start with your most recent health care administration role and work backward. Ideal for those with consistent experience in health care management, this chronological resume showcases your career growth and expanding responsibilities within the field.
- Skills-based: Focuses on your health care administration skills rather than your employment history. Known as a functional resume, it highlights your capabilities in managing health care operations, rather than emphasizing past job titles.
- Hybrid: A blend of the two previous styles, the hybrid or combination resume is best for those with specific health care management skills and relevant experience. It provides a comprehensive view of your professional journey, emphasizing both your skill set and employment history.
As for formatting, choose a clear font and keep the layout consistent. Arrange your information so it’s easy to read.
A well-organized resume will make a strong impression. These tips should help you create a health care administrator resume that stands out — and if you need more advice, see our resume-formatting guide.
Choose a health care administrator resume template
Your resume should be professional and precise to match the nature of your role.
In health care, that means a simple or modern template is well suited to present your skills, experience and education clearly. These styles highlight your strengths without unnecessary frills and show your ability to communicate information effectively — a key skill in health care management.
While a creative resume can make your resume stand out, it’s important to maintain a balance. Your individuality should complement, not overshadow, your professional achievements.
Above all, clarity is crucial. Your resume should quickly convey your professional journey and abilities.
Keep these guidelines in mind when you’re crafting a health care administrator resume.
How to write a health care administrator resume in 5 simple steps
As you learn how to write a resume, you’ll find the task involves careful preparation and a strategic approach. Your administrative experience equips you well for this challenge.
STEP 1
Understand the health care administrator position thoroughly
Start by thoroughly understanding the health care administrator role you’re applying for. (Keep in mind that “healthcare” is often spelled as a single word.)
Hospitals and health care facilities often use systems like ATS (applicant tracking systems) to filter resumes, so you’ll want to know the keywords they’re using to separate the wheat from the chaff.
To find these keywords, carefully read the job listing. Terms like “patient scheduling,” “medical billing,” “compliance” and “health care management” aren’t just industry terms — they’re essential to making an ATS-friendly resume.
Don’t just list these keywords — weave them throughout your resume. Incorporate them into your opening summary, skills section and work experience. This shows that you understand the role and have a comprehensive grasp of its duties and responsibilities.
This tailored approach transforms your resume from a standard application to a specialized representation of your suitability for the role. Armed with this focused strategy, your resume is ready to showcase your skills and experiences effectively, truly setting you apart.
STEP 2
Write a professional summary or resume objective
The first part of your resume is crucial for making a strong impression, and for health care administrators, this means beginning with a compelling resume profile. You can choose a professional summary if you’re experienced or a career objective if you’re new to health care administration.
Experienced health care administrators should use a professional summary to concisely highlight their work history and key contributions to health care facilities or departments.
On the other hand, a resume objective is more appropriate for those who are new to the field or shifting from a different area to health care administration. It’s a chance to outline your career goals and show how they align with the objectives of the potential employer.
Sounds good, right?
OK, here are samples tailored for a health care administrator resume:
Professional summary example for a health care administrator:
Experienced healthcare administrator with over 10 years in managing hospital operations. Skilled in optimizing patient care delivery, overseeing budget management and implementing compliance protocols. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, improve operational efficiency and maintain high standards of patient care.
Resume objective example for a health care administrator:
Aspiring healthcare administrator, recently graduated with an MBA in Health Administration, eager to contribute to the efficient operation of a forward-thinking health care facility like ABC Health Center. Focused on applying knowledge in health policy, facility management and patient relations to enhance service delivery and operational excellence.
STEP 3
Highlight relevant health care administrator skills
Finding a job in health care management requires showcasing the skills on your resume effectively — a mix of hard and soft skills is ideal.
Hard skills for health care administrators are those acquired through education and practical experience, essential for the operational aspects of health care management. These technical abilities are like your tools of the trade.
Your soft skills, on the other hand, capture the essence of your professional demeanor. They are the interpersonal abilities that influence how you interact with staff, patients and stakeholders.
Digital literacy is also crucial, as health care administrators often work with various health care management systems and electronic health records.
Let’s delve into the skills that will make your health care administrator resume shine.
Hard and soft skills for a health care admin resume:
Example of a health care administrator skills section:
- Proficient in managing health care operations.
- Skilled in EHR systems for efficient patient data management.
- Strong communicator.
- Resourceful in addressing challenges.
- Detail-oriented and committed to maintaining high standards.
Don’t neglect your computer skills. Being familiar with health care software and data analysis tools is a valuable asset in a sector increasingly reliant on digital systems for health care management.
STEP 4
Write a strong work experience section
The likelihood that you’ll land an interview improves tremendously when you have hands-on work experience managing health care facilities and supporting medical teams. Your role involves a fast-paced environment with many responsibilities, so it’s important to clearly showcase your professional journey.
Consider listing your job experiences and key achievements using bullet points for easy readability.
Here’s a good way to structure your experience in health care administration:
Healthcare Administrator, City Health Hospital
New York, NY
January 2017 – Present
- Implemented a new patient scheduling system that improved appointment efficiency by 30%.
- Built strong relationships with health care providers, enhancing coordination and patient care quality.
- Managed the budget for the cardiology department, reducing costs by 15% while maintaining high care standards.
- Orchestrated a staff training program focused on electronic health record (EHR) usage, increasing overall digital literacy by 40%.
- Led the shift to an electronic billing system, streamlining the process and reducing administrative errors by 25%.
Use action verbs like “implemented,” “managed” and “orchestrated” to describe your role. These terms add energy to your resume and position you as a proactive and innovative leader in the health care administration field.
STEP 5
Add education and certifications to your resume
In health care, an education section isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a must-have. That’s why we recommend listing your degrees, beginning with your most advanced degrees and then touching on specialized certifications that show your expertise and preparedness.
Here’s how you might outline your educational background:
Education:
Master of Health Administration
[Your University Name], [City, State]
Graduation Year: [Year]
- Graduated with Honors, achieving a 3.8 GPA.
- Completed capstone project on health care policy and its impact on patient care efficiency.
Certifications:
- Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE)
[Certifying Body], [Year]
Optional sections for your resume
Professional memberships
Being part of professional health care organizations reflects your active engagement and commitment to the health care administration field.
How to present your professional affiliations:
- American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), participating in policy development discussions and networking events.
- Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), contributing insights on health care finance best practices.
Volunteer experience
Volunteering, especially in health-related initiatives, highlights your commitment to community welfare and your leadership skills.
How to list your volunteer experience:
- Organized free health check-up camps in local communities, coordinating with health care professionals and managing logistics.
- Volunteered at local Red Cross blood donation drives, overseeing participant registration and post-donation care.
Awards and honors
Receiving honors and awards in your field is a testament to your professional accomplishments and contributions to health care administration.
How to detail your honors and awards:
- “Health care Administrator of the Year” awarded by [Institution’s Name] for outstanding management and patient care improvements.
- “Innovation in Health Care Management” recognition for implementing a successful electronic health record system.
Conferences
Attending industry conferences demonstrates your dedication to staying abreast of the latest trends and innovations in health care administration.
How to showcase your conferences:
- Participated in the Annual ACHE Congress, focusing on leadership in health care management.
- Attended Healthcare Finance Management Association’s National Conference, engaging in sessions about health care finance and technology.
Languages
Multilingual abilities are highly valued in diverse health care settings, enhancing communication and patient care management.
How to mention your presentations:
- Fluent in English and Spanish
- Proficient in French
Add a cover letter
Crafting a compelling cover letter can be a key differentiator in your search for a health care administration position.
It’s your chance to share more personal stories, like how you streamlined patient processing systems or implemented a new health records management protocol. This is also the place to explain any career gaps, perhaps due to further education or other personal reasons, and how these experiences have enhanced your administrative skills.
The key to writing a great cover letter is clarity and conciseness. A well-crafted letter should be easy to read and reflect your organized, detail-oriented approach. It’s a good idea to look at some sample cover letters for health care administrators for inspiration.
If you find it challenging to start your cover letter from scratch, consider using a cover letter builder as a launching point. You can then personalize the letter it generates with specifics that showcase your unique qualifications and experiences.
Your cover letter, paired with your resume, represents you. It’s an integral part of making a strong impression on potential employers.
As you finish, remember these points: be clear, be concise and let your professional journey and personal insights shine through.
Key takeaways for your health care administrator resume
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Incorporate keywords from the post
Familiarize yourself with the specific language used in the job listing and integrate these terms into your skills and experiences sections.
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Structure your resume carefully
Choose a resume format that highlights your strengths. A chronological layout is perfect for any job seeker with some work experience.
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Maintain clarity and professionalism
Opt for a clean, professional design that allows employers to assess your qualifications quickly.
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Showcase a range of skills
Include both technical abilities, like proficiency in health care management software, and soft skills, such as leadership and effective communication.
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Emphasize your qualifications
Include certifications like Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) or Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).
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Highlight your achievements
Share how you’ve made a positive impact beyond routine responsibilities. Examples include streamlining patient processing systems or enhancing staff training programs.
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Add a cover letter
Use your cover letter to expand on your commitment to health care administration. You can express your passion for the field and unique approach here.
Commonly asked questions about resume writing
Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
