How to Become a Healthcare Consultant

The healthcare consulting industry is set to undergo strong growth in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a greater need for professional advice on a hospital's daily operations. Healthcare consulting offers a highly rewarding career path with lucrative and varied work. Becoming a healthcare consultant in 2021 is one of the best decisions you can make.

With existing pressure on hospitals, healthcare consultants are in high demand. This has led to growth in the number of platforms that offer valid education in this area. However, this does not mean all the resources online are reliable. This definitive guide is instrumental in providing credible resources and reliable information.

What Is Healthcare Consulting?

Healthcare consulting is the process of giving advice and guidance to organizations to maximize the efficiency of their business. Healthcare consultants are experts in providing analysis of the management of the organizations in the healthcare industry. They are known as management analysts and are integral members of the healthcare industry.

Healthcare consultants work with a range of clients from health insurance companies, governments, biotech startups, and pharmaceutical companies. They are knowledgeable in healthcare regulations and policies to enable hospitals to run effectively and efficiently.

What Does a Healthcare Consultant Do?

Healthcare consultants are responsible for analyzing the challenges of clients in a healthcare setting and work towards achieving a resolution. The consultants provide valuable insight tailored to satisfy the specific needs of the client. Healthcare consultants’ responsibilities might include:

Research and Development

It is a health consultant’s key responsibility to conduct interviews for research. In pharmaceutical or biotech organizations, they conduct preclinical and clinical research trials. As a consultant in the field, they check on clinical trial design, device design, regulatory interactions, and research investments.

Strategic Management

Healthcare consultants are responsible for navigating new governmental regulations. A healthcare consultant is then responsible for developing internal governance procedures and advising on the best strategic direction. These strategies are unique to each client.

Business Development

Healthcare consultants are responsible for providing hospitals with strategic advice to enable them to optimise their processes and increase profitability margins. A healthcare consulting firm evaluates a series of commercial and scientific challenges to optimize the systems. They are also highly instrumental in partnering and acquisition programs.

Financial Management

Healthcare consultants are also responsible for improving revenue and accounting procedures. They manage capital investments, conduct price negotiations with clients, and analyze the claims process.

IT Strategy

Healthcare consultants should be able to advise on the implementation of IT strategies, including adopting an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, integrating software, or migrating data to reliable servers.

Human resources

Healthcare consultants play a role in recruitment and retention strategies for their clients. The implementation of training and development programs for existing employees will also be included. Healthcare consultants also advise on compensation and benefits packages to improve general staff morale.

Essential Healthcare Consultant Skills

In order to be the best in your field, you must be well educated and armed with the necessary skills. Healthcare consulting is a highly competitive industry with many qualified consultants who are well equipped with knowledge and connections. The only difference between a successful and unsuccessful healthcare consultant is their skill set. Successful healthcare consultants should have strong skills in the following areas:

Communication Skills

You must have prowess in written and verbal communication to communicate your findings. In healthcare facilities, you will find yourself communicating with different people and you must have the ability to express yourself concisely to avoid a breakdown in communication. A slight misunderstanding can cost an organization a lot of money.

Critical Thinking

Healthcare consultants are responsible for making important decisions that affect the entire health system. You must have good decision-making skills that are in line with the hospital's objectives and compliant with their policies. Some decisions are very sensitive and can affect the entire business operation. As a critical thinker, you will know which route will benefit your client.

Public Speaking and Diplomacy

You will need to have the ability to speak publicly and be able to articulate yourself diplomatically. Sometimes consultants make valid conclusions that affect the employees directly. This is often met with a lot of resistance, but you should employ your skills in diplomacy to level with them.

Analytical Skills

The healthcare system is very dynamic. This means you must have solid analytical skills to determine trends, relationships, and cause and effect. You should be able to identify the strategies and processes that are inconsequential or redundant in the system. Researching, interpreting, and analyzing data is an essential aspect of your job.

Mathematical Skills

A key responsibility for consultants is to plan and review budgets and revenue streams, therefore strong mathematical skills will be necessary.

Attention To Detail

You will work on multiple projects at the same time, it is vital that you remain organized and with sharp focus as you work. Any inaccuracies or errors can be catastrophic to your clients.

Healthcare Consulting Salaries and Job Outlook

The minimum salary for healthcare consultants ranges from $70,000 to $80,000 a year. However, the level of education, experience, and skills can impact how much you will be paid. A master's degree graduate will consequently earn more than a bachelor's degree graduate.

The industry is rapidly growing, and the demand for providing healthcare is also on the rise. The cost of running healthcare services has also increased and there is a need for qualified consultants with analytical skills to help optimize processes.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that career growth in health consulting is expected to grow by 19 percent next year. There will be over 130,000 opportunities for healthcare consultants in the United States. You will be highly sought after by hospitals, healthcare organizations, health insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies.

The solid employment prospects will lure you and many others to becoming consultants. You will find both monetary and emotional fulfilment in this versatile career.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Healthcare Consultant?

The duration varies from one person to the next, dependent on several variables. However, you can become a healthcare consultant in a minimum of eight years.

A bachelor's degree will take up to four years from an accredited institution. If you choose to complete your master's degree, it will take another three years. Some institutions require students to have an additional one year for supervision in their administrative work.

You may prefer to start working after completing your undergraduate degree instead of going back to school. This will increase the duration as you can only be employed as an assistant.

How to Become a Healthcare Consultant: A Step-by-Step Guide

Becoming a health consultant is not as daunting as you may think. There are plenty of online resources to help you become an expert healthcare consultant. These steps will be instrumental in helping you get a healthcare consulting job:

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

You must complete a bachelor's degree in a field related to health. You should consider a  degree in public health, nursing, or business will be appropriate. These will provide you with vital background information to assist your clients.

Step 2: Obtain a Master's Degree

The more learned you are, the higher your job prospects. Healthcare consulting firms will hire you over someone without a master's degree. It will also mean you get a higher salary. You can pursue a Masters in Business Administration or a Masters in Public Health.

Step 3: Gain Experience

Gaining experience is essential in growing your professional network. When choosing a place to gain experience, ensure you select an environment you want to work in. This is entirely dependent on your future goals, working style, and aspirations. The more knowledge you attain, the better your chances of referrals.

Required Education to Become a Healthcare Consultant

To become a healthcare consultant, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. This is a highly competitive industry; any degree in business, science, medical or public health will suffice.

Many employers opt for people who have a master's degree. A master’s degree is essential if you want to progress quickly in your career. A Master's Degree in Health Management will be instrumental in familiarizing you with the healthcare industry's business side.

You may also consider obtaining a PhD in the field as it will help you provide more advanced expertise to your clients. Whilst a PhD is not necessary, it will help improve your client base significantly.

Best Programs and Courses to Become Healthcare Consultant

Many employers prefer consultants with an excellent educational background. It would be advantageous if you were well versed in the industry to be successful. Below are the best programs and courses for you:

MSc in International Health Management

• Provider: Berlin School Of Business & Innovation
• Cost: £ 11,800
• Time: 18 months
• Prerequisite: N/A

This is a great program to improve your skills and your employability. It is instrumental in becoming a world-class international health manager. You will be able to take on several challenges in the global health sector.

Master of Science in Healthcare Analytics and Intelligence

• Provider: Rutgers Business School - Newark and New Brunswick
• Cost: $13,852
• Time: 1 year
• Prerequisite: N/A

This is an excellent course that you are able to complete on a full-time or part-time basis, according to your schedule. By the end of the program, you will be able to utilize the skills you acquire to optimize business operations.

Master of Public Health - International Course in Health Development

• Provider: Royal Tropical Institute
• Cost: £17,350
• Time: 1 year
• Prerequisite: N/A

This is a great course to learn the newest developments in the industry. You will also get to make valid new connections with different business professionals. In this program, you will learn how to critically analyze the needs of a population, appraise the role of a health system, identify the priorities, and implement effective policies.

Healthcare Consultancy Certificates

There are no certificates or licenses for healthcare consultants to work independently or full time. However, certifications are a great way of improving your job prospects. You may want to consider:

Certified Management Consultant

The Institute of Management Consultants assures that you are committed to the highest ethical standards and continuing professionalism.

Certificate in International Health Consultancy

This is an excellent certificate course that will improve your professional knowledge and skills in management consultancy.

Certified Healthcare Business Consultant(CHBC)

This course will provide you with vital knowledge and credentials to distinguish yourself in a competitive industry. It is issued to students with the highest standards of the industry.

Should You Become a Healthcare Consultant in 2021?

Yes, a career in healthcare consulting has promising prospects for the future with industry growth, job security and a high salary. You will enjoy a dynamic business environment, and the pleasure of helping patients as a healthcare consultant, you will be able to provide great insight into improving healthcare organizations.

A career as a healthcare consultant also offers flexibility. You are not limited to just one working environment and you can work full-time or part-time in private practices, consulting firms, government agencies, or hospitals.

Your career as a healthcare consultant will be diverse and fulfilling. It is a great career choice if you like to find solutions to recurring problems.