As the healthcare field evolves, there’s an increased push to provide patients with personalized, evidence-based care. The demand for allied health services is on the rise, which means allied health managers are playing a pivotal role in the modern healthcare landscape. These professionals actively work to maximize resources, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen patient trust in their facilities.
Understanding the Role of an Allied Health Manager
The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions defines allied health as the group of health professionals that exists beyond the scope of medicine and nursing. Similar to doctors and nurses, allied health professionals use scientific reasoning and evidence-based practice to provide patients with personalized care. They also rely on key administrative and management skills. Some examples of allied health professionals include occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, imaging specialists, and dietitians.
Within this field, there has been an increased demand for effective and intuitive managers. Allied health managers are responsible for overseeing specialized health services facilities, creating a positive workplace culture, and providing patients with the best possible outcomes.
Key Responsibilities in Healthcare Management
Allied health managers implement and oversee business strategies for a healthcare facility. While they typically don’t engage with patients directly, their daily work impacts the quality of patient care.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the key responsibilities in healthcare management include:
- Developing strategic goals to improve the quality of allied health services
- Verifying that the providers remain in compliance with all medical laws and regulations
- Preparing and overseeing operational budgets
- Creating and implementing a hiring strategy that ensures the facility is properly staffed and can retain top talent in the allied health field
- Maximizing the use of facility resources and increasing operational efficiency
Importance of Leadership in Allied Health
Based on research published in the international scientific journal Healthcare, leadership is considered a key component of well-coordinated care. By adopting an effective leadership style, allied health managers can earn the respect of their staff, decrease burnout rates, increase productivity levels, and enhance the patient experience.
Educational Pathways for Aspiring Allied Health Managers
Those who are interested in allied health management should pursue a degree program that offers a strong foundation in allied health and provides the managerial skills required to lead in this growing field.
The BLS states that a bachelor’s degree is usually required for most allied health management positions. A bachelor’s degree in allied health management provides students with an extensive overview of the health services landscape, allowing them to better understand the scope of the field. In addition, this specialized undergraduate degree program helps develop administrative skills by focusing on key areas of health services management, such as medical law and procedural coding.
Essential Courses in an Allied Health Management Degree
Allied health management coursework delivers an advanced understanding of key topics while building the skills required to pursue a health services management career. These are some of the essential courses in an allied health management degree:
- Health Services Organizational Management and Marketing
- Healthcare Human Resource Management
- Health Information Systems
- Healthcare Policy and Law
- Healthcare Financial Management
- Leadership and Organizational Behavior
Certifications That Enhance Career Prospects
Depending on the specific allied health management role you’re targeting, certification may be helpful. Options vary, so choose a pathway that aligns with your responsibilities and goals. Examples include CPC-A (Certified Professional Coder—Apprentice) and CPPM (Certified Physician Practice Manager), as well as National Healthcareer Association credentials such as CEHRS, CMAA, and CBCS. Eligibility, prerequisites, and recognition can differ by credential and employer, so review the requirements for the positions you’re considering and verify any state or facility preferences.
Certification requirements may vary based on the position you pursue. Thus, it’s important to research any requirements for the particular career opportunity that you are most interested in.
Career Opportunities and Growth in Allied Health Management
Patients and providers across the country agree that allied health services play a key role in patient outcomes, ensuring that all patients receive the personalized care they need to live full and productive lives. As a result, the allied health field is expanding rapidly, leading to a heightened demand for qualified and skilled allied health managers.
Typical Job Roles and Settings for Allied Health Managers
Allied health managers oversee health services facilities that provide care for patients beyond medicine and nursing. According to Indeed, some of the typical job roles and settings for allied health managers include:
- Clinic Operations / Practice Manager — Oversees daily workflows, scheduling, patient access, and compliance. They typically manage EHR/EPM workflows, coordinate staff coverage, and track KPIs such as cycle times and no-show rates to support smooth operations.
- Front Office / Patient Access Supervisor — Leads registration, eligibility, check-in/out, and service quality. Responsibilities often include prior authorizations, point-of-service collections, and patient communications to help reduce bottlenecks at the front end of care.
- Revenue Cycle / Billing Manager — Manages claims, denials, accounts receivable, payer rules, and reporting. This role frequently monitors charge capture and edits, implements denial prevention tactics, and aligns workflows with current payer policies.
- Coding Auditor or Billing/Coding Consultant — Reviews documentation and coding accuracy, trains staff, and supports risk mitigation. They may conduct prospective and retrospective audits, provide provider education, and help standardize query and compliance practices.
- Diagnostic Imaging / Testing Center Manager — Coordinates imaging or diagnostic service lines, equipment utilization, and quality standards. Duties can include modality scheduling, accreditation readiness (e.g., ACR where applicable), and oversight of safety protocols and QC processes.
- Rehabilitation Services Manager — Aligns interdisciplinary therapy services, staffing, and outcomes tracking. They may coordinate PT/OT/SLP caseload management, manage documentation expectations, and monitor utilization and patient-reported outcome measures.
- Community Health Program Coordinator — Guides outreach, education, and prevention aligned with population health goals. Typical tasks include needs assessments, partnership development with local agencies, grant/report management, and basic program evaluation.
Future Trends in Allied Health Management Careers
Data from the BLS shows that employment levels for health services managers are expected to rise by about 29% between 2023 and 2033, which is above average compared to other occupations. Over the course of the next decade, it’s projected that there will be more than 61,000 openings for health services managers each year.
Earn Your Allied Health Management Degree at Florida Technical College
The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, encompassing a wide range of health services that extend beyond medicine and nursing. To provide patients with the best possible care and outcomes, health services facilities require adept and intuitive administrators.
The Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Management at Florida Technical College is designed for students who want to pursue an administrative career in the health services field. Focusing on healthcare administration strategies, medical laws, healthcare industry regulations, and procedural coding, this degree program gives graduates the key skills required to succeed in this rewarding field. Request more information today.
This article presents a general overview of the field of allied health management, including job opportunities within that field; it does not describe the educational objectives or expected employment outcomes of a particular Florida Technical College program. Florida Technical College does not guarantee that students will obtain employment or any particular job. Some positions may require licensure or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular career you desire.
Sources
https://ftccollege.edu/program/bachelors-degree/bachelors-degree-in-allied-health-management/
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-allied-health
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
