Healthcare Management: Professional Associations
This degree can offer healthcare professionals the opportunity to expand clinical roles, or career advancement into supervisory, management, or educational positions.
Why Should You Join a Professional Association?
Benefits of membership in professional associations generally include:
- Educational resources, some of which are members-only access, to grow your own knowledge and to use in practice on the job
- Career resources including job postings, resume and cover letter assistance, and general tips
- Opportunities to network and grow your career through conferences, seminars, webcasts, and other events--some will be for members only; members almost always get discounted rates when fees are required
- Earning certifications which demonstrate your knowledge and experience (and are also good for your resume)
- Developing leaderships skills and assuming leadership roles--most associations have multiple opportunities to serve the association
List of Professional Associations
- American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM)AAHAM is a professional organization for healthcare administrative management, covering the areas of reimbursement, admitting and registration, data management, medical records, patient relations and more. Certifications include: Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist (CRCS), Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP), and Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE).
- American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)ACHE is an international professional society of healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. ACHE also has several publications including "Healthcare Executive" magazine, and it has a publishing division (Health Administration Press). Certification/Credential: Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).
- American Health Care Association (AHCA)The American Health Care Association is a non-profit federation of affiliate state health organizations, together representing non-profit and for-profit nursing facility, assisted living, developmentally-disabled, and subacute care providers. AHCA works to advocate for long term care issues, and it also develops and compiles comprehensive research and data concerning the long term and post-acute care sector. Long term care providers may become a member of AHCA through their state affiliate association.
- American Hospital Association (AHA)The American Hospital Association (AHA) is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patients and communities. AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. In addition, AHA pursues advocacy in areas of national health policy development, legislative and regulatory debates, and judicial matters.
- Health Care Administrators Association (HCAA)HCAA is a nonprofit trade association supporting the educational and regulatory advisory needs of third-party administrators (TPAs) and the self funded industry, insurance carriers, managing general underwriters, audit firms, medical managers, technology organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, brokers/agents, human resource managers and health care consultants. HCAA also practices legislative advocacy. Certification: Certified Self Funding Specialist (CSFS).
- Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)HFMA is a membership organization for healthcare finance leaders. HFMA builds and supports coalitions with other healthcare associations and industry groups. A primary goal is to help maintain fiscally healthy healthcare organizations. Certifications include: Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP), Certified Specialist Business Intelligence (CSBI), and Certified Specialist Accounting & Finance (CSAF).
- Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)MGMA is a professional association for medical practice administrators and executives. In addition to resources for members, MGMA also produces medical practice economic data and data solutions. Certification: Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE), Board certification through the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE).
- National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)NAHQ is a professional association dedicated to the advancement of the profession of healthcare quality and patient safety in all types and sizes of healthcare settings. Certification: Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).
The following associations are all Personal Membership Groups of the American Hospital Association, organized by professional interests and expertise:
- American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE)ASHE is the largest association devoted to professionals who design, build, maintain, and operate hospitals and other health care facilities. ASHE members include health care facility managers, engineers, architects, designers, constructors, infection control specialists, and others. Certifications: Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) and Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM).
- American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA)ASHHRA is the only membership organization exclusively focused on HR in health care settings. Certification: Certified in Healthcare Human Resources (CHHR).
- American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM)ASHRM members represent risk management, patient safety, insurance, law, finance and other related professions. ASHRM initiatives focus on developing and implementing safe and effective patient care practices, the preservation of financial resources and the maintenance of safe working environments. Certification: Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM).
- Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM)Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM) is a membership group for healthcare supply chain professionals. Certification: Certified Materials Resource Professional (CMRP).
- Society for Healthcare Strategy & Market Development (SHSMD)SHSMD is a voice and resource for healthcare strategists, planners, marketers, and communications and public relations professionals nationwide. Members work work in all sectors of healthcare, including hospitals and health systems, physician groups, consulting firms, advertising and public relations agencies, and service providers.
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