1. Career Progression of Graduates of a Bachelor’s Degree Program in Health Services Administration April Temple, Ph.D., LNHA, Assistant Professor Health Services Administration Program James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia Jon M. Thompson, Ph.D., Professor & Director Health Services Administration Program James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia Introduction The demand for health services managers is projected to grow by 22% by 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013). Undergraduate programs in health services administration are a critical source of talent to fill the expanding need for health services managers. While AUPHA has over 45 certified undergraduate programs presently, there is only limited discussion in the literature about the job settings and career tracks of graduates of B.S. degree programs. Purpose This research addresses the early career experiences of 2004-2011 graduates of an undergraduate health services administration program. We profile employment by organizational setting and describe the career progression of graduates by examining employment patterns of graduates within the same setting, within the same sector, and across sectors. Methods In 2012, we surveyed 2004-2011 graduates of our program using an online survey administered by Qualtrics. A total of153 graduates completed the survey, which was a 70% response rate. The survey included questions related to graduates’ demographics, current employment setting and position, career history by setting and position, length of time in positions, annual salary information for all positions, and graduate school attendance and/or completion. We also included questions on perceptions of coursework, overall satisfaction, and overall preparation for career. All study procedures were approved by our university’s IRB. Results Findings show that graduates are presently working in hospitals and health systems (34%), long-term care (11%), consulting (11%), and suppliers (7%), among other settings. More importantly, we profile the career progression of graduates using a three part analytic framework: 1) progression within the same setting; 2) progression within the same sector; and 3) progression across sectors. Graduates reported an average of 1.4 years working in their first position. Sixty-nine percent of respondents had more than one position, and 16% had four positions. The mean current salary was $57,261, with mean salaries among employment sectors ranging from $112,500 in insurance/managed care to $39,667 in associations. Respondents reported salary increases between their first and last positions. Salary change was the highest for respondents whose career progressed across sectors; the mean salary increase for this group was $38,683. Overall, within the reporting period, graduates have demonstrated changes in positions and responsibilities, along with increases in compensation. Table 1. Characteristics of Alumni (n = 153) Years post-graduation4 Gender Male25% Female75% Race/Ethnicity Caucasian84% African American5% Hispanic2% Asian6% Other3% Completed/enrolled in graduate courses32% Completed graduate degree17% Employment status Employed full-time90% Employed part-time3% Not employed, looking for work1% Not employed, not looking for work0% Table 2. Current Salary of Alumni (n = 132) M (SD) Current annual salary [range: 18,000-160,000]57,261 (26,460) Current salary by organizational setting Hospital/hospital system (n = 47)51,095 (19,358) Physician practice/group practice (n = 7)60,411 (38,361) Ambulatory clinic/surgery center (n = 5)60,000 (15,716) Long-term care (n = 13)58,676 (18,066) Consulting firm (n = 16)59,375 (19,933) Accreditation/licensing organization (n = 9)58,778 (13,179) Managed care organization/insurer (n = 2)112,500 (67,175) Public health program/department (n = 1)41,000 (N/A) Pharmaceutical/medical supplier/IT company (n = 8)93,583 (13,614) Association (n = 3)39,667 (8,963) Other (n = 21)47,633 (22,174) Figure 1. Percent Employed by Organizational Setting (n=153) Examples of Career Progression SAME SETTING SettingPosition 1Position 2Position 3Total YearsFirst SalaryLast SalarySalary Change Hospital Manager Performance Improvement Director Clinical Business Operations 3$60,000$70,000$10,000 Nursing HomeAITDirector of Resident ServicesAssistant Administrator1.99$18,000$57,000$39,000 Insurer Sales Administration Senior Associate Sales Administration AnalystSenior Account Manager5.8$40,000$160,000$120,000 HospitalManagement AnalystProject Manager4$41,500$48,500$7,000 PharmaceuticalCustomer Pricing CoordinatorCustomer Pricing AnalystProjects/Pricing Analyst3$31,200$42,000$10,800 Consulting FirmAnalystAssociateSenior Associate9$43,000$93,000$50,000 SAME SECTOR Position 1/SettingPosition 2/SettingPosition 3/SettingTotal Years First Salary Last Salary Salary Change Executive Assistant/Academic Health System Office coordinator/Academic Health System Manager/Health System5$38,000$49,000$11,000 Business Office Manager/SNFInterim Administrator/SNF Administrator of Health Services/CCRC 4.5$40,000$81,000$41,000 Patient Services Rep/Hospital Patient Services Supervisor/Hospital Clinical Operations Manager/Outpatient Center 2.95$33,000$52,000$19,000 Quality Integration and Improvement Metrics Analyst/Hospital Planning Analyst/Hospital System1.5$42,700$45,000$2,300 Front Office-Billing/Physical Therapy Center Office Manager/Physical Therapy Center Office Manager/Physician Practice7$20,800$47,500$26,700 Health Research Analyst/Information Technology Company Associate/Consulting FirmSenior Associate/Consulting Firm6.8$49,000$70,000$21,000 ACROSS SECTORS Position 1/SettingPosition 2/SettingPosition 3/SettingTotal YearsFirst Salary Last Salary Salary Change Patient Financial Representative/Physician Practice Business Office Representative/Physician Practice Staff Consultant/Consulting Firm3$25,000$40,000$15,000 Health Planner/Community Health Organization Pharmacy Analyst/HospitalFinancial Analyst/Hospital5$30,000$69,000$39,000 Data Analyst/Academic Medical Center Analyst/Consulting Firm Account Manager/Consulting Firm 5$40,000$140,000$100,000 Financial Analyst/Group Purchasing Organization Contract Manager/Supply Chain Outsource - Hospital Senior Analyst/Health System5$45,000$85,000$40,000 Credentialing Coordinator/HospitalCredentialing Assistant/Insurer Assistant Manager/Practice Mgmt Comp 3$42,000$55,000$13,000 Proposal Analyst/Managed CareHealthcare Rep/Pharmaceutical6.5$32,000$66,000$34,000 Conclusions This research adds to the knowledge base of employment and career progression for baccalaureate graduates of healthcare management programs, which has not been fully addressed in the literature. Graduates of our program have been successful in securing entry- level positions as well as advancing in their careers in three ways: progression within the same setting, progression within the same sector, and progression across sectors. Most interesting is the fact that career progression has occurred in a period of a declining national economy, which supports the view that healthcare management has been a robust source of opportunities. Contact: April Temple, Ph.D., LNHA. Email: templ2al@jmu.edu