There are no standard education requirements. Requirements vary with the position, size, and nature of the health service organization. Employers may promote from within the organization or hire applicants who have related post-secondary education or certification.
Health service administrators need both education and experience. Those with a background in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, or accounting may take continuing education courses in health service administration or management. Those with graduate degrees in health management most often start in junior adminisitrative positions and get on-the-job experience in not-for-profit organizations. A background in public policy issues such as staffing, quality, performance measures, and funding are helpful.
There are many education options for Albertans interested in this field. For example:
- The Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) offers an online Certified Health Executive (CHE) program, which is grounded in the national health-care leadership framework, LEADS (Lead self, Engage others, Achieve results, Develop coalitions, Systems transformation). Candidates have up to three years to successfully complete the program. Applicants must either be members in good standing of the college and hold a master’s degree with at least 2 years of experience in Canadian health leadership; or they must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of experience, and demonstrate educational and professional advancement through a Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR)
Certified members must take part in the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.
- The Canadian Healthcare Association (CHA) learning department offers a 2-year distance education program. Successful completion leads to a Health Services Management certificate. Applicants must hold a management position in a health organization. CHA also offers other management programs for those new to management roles, senior managers in long-term care organizations, or those in quality and risk management.
Programs include one-week intramural classes held in Ottawa every April. CHA Learning has an agreement with Athabasca University regarding articulation credits for some programs.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
For a list of health leadership-related master’s programs, see the CCHL Strategic Alliances and Partners web page. For a list of health leadership-related certificate programs, see the CCHL Certification web page.