Business & Information Technology Division

Business: Health Services Management A.S.

Janet Evelyn-Dorsey
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
(315) 866-0300 or toll free 1-888-GO-4-HCCC, ext. 8240

Donna Testa
(315) 866-0300 or toll free 1-888-GO-4-HCCC, ext. 8247

Program Summary

The Health Services Management A.S. Degree program is designed for students interested in careers in the health care field, in segments non related to care giving. The health care sector has changed and expanded greatly in recent years, and the opportunities and challenges for health care managers have also increased to meet the needs of a growing and aging community. Managers must cope with new programs for special populations, new technologies, financial challenges, government regulations and continual pressure for cost containment.

The health care industry needs managers with both a comprehensive and critical understanding of the changing health environment and the specific skills and knowledge needed to effectively cope with and manage change. The program provides an educational track that prepares students for dual career paths--workforce continuing education.

A unique feature of this program is the opportunity to complete an internship, allowing students the chance to explore the many career opportunities open to them. The internship also gives students wishing to enter the workplace the advantage of job-related experience employers are seeking.

Program of Study at Herkimer

Click Health Services Management A.S. to see the current catalog page.

Skill Requirements

Graduates of this program will need strong communication and people skills. The opportunities open to HSM graduates require a sound educational background in business, health services, and general studies topics. This combination will prepare students for successful transfer to four-year colleges to continue their education in this field or to enter the workplace after completing their degree and work in a wide variety of departments in many areas of the health care industry dealing with a diversified client population.

This program will offer students coursework which will expose them to many aspects of the field and its delivery. Topics like public health and community medicine, long-term care and management of the health care system are thoroughly examined, providing students with the background they will need to enter this field.

Nature of the Work

Because of the diversity of career choices in HSM, the duties and responsibilities can vary widely depending on the employer's needs. A student may wish to enter the specialized fields of managed care, long-term care, hospitals and health care offices, government and private industry, not-for-profit organizations, health insurance agencies, or the pharmaceutical industry. The health care industry provides a business as well as a care-giving environment. HSM personnel do not provide direct care; they are, however, vital to the mission of the health care industry. Hours vary among the different segments of the industry.

Job Outlook

The health care sector has expanded and changed greatly in recent years, and the opportunities and challenges for health care managers have also increased to meet the needs of a growing and aging community. Managers must cope with the new services for special populations, new technologies, financial challenges, government regulations, and continual pressure for cost containment.

The health care industry needs managers with both a comprehensive and critical understanding of the changing health environment and the specific skills and knowledge needed to effectively cope with and manage change. The HSM program at HCCC successfully prepares students with coursework, which expose them to many aspects of the health care delivery system. Such topics as Community Medicine and Public Health, Long-Term Care, Medical Problems and Programs, and Management of the Health Facilities are thoroughly examined, giving students the background they will need to enter this field. The alumni of HCCC's Health Services Management program have found themselves to be very marketable.