How do I Get an Internship in Hospital Administration?

Updated on February 16, 2023

If you would like to eventually hold a title in hospital administration, it can be very helpful to get practical experience by completing an internship. As the demand for healthcare services rises the demand for healthcare managers does, too. Because of this, hospitals and other healthcare settings are looking for highly trained managers who are capable of conducting business the way it needs to be conducted in this highly-regulated industry.

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While you can learn the theories, methods, practices and skills that you need in a formal degree program, you can only truly get a feel for the workplace environment and your role when you intern. Read on, and find out how to find opportunities so that you can show hospital executives and recruiters that you are ready to take on an entry-level role.

Check for Fellowship and Internship Opportunities Through Your College

Once completing an undergraduate degree in a related field, you should enroll in a graduate program where you can major in fields like healthcare administration, hospital management or public health. While enrolled as a student, you should check with the advisors in the Public Health Department or the College of Health and Human Services to find out if there are administrative fellowship programs or internships available in your area. Many universities have their own hospitals where patients are cared for and research is conducted. These will be comprehensive training opportunities where you can develop as a manager and learn about the complexities in the industry. The best place to start searching for an internship opportunity is through your school because they often give their students priority based on their academic performance.

Search for Internships Through Professional Organizations

There are many lists of different professional organizations that are committed to helping with professional development or industry improvement. You can find interning opportunities through many of these organizations if you search and apply before the deadlines each year. The American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management, or AAHAM, lists opportunities to student members that are available all over the nation.

Apply for Opportunities with Prominent Government Agencies that Need Help

You can also look for internships that are available through health and social services agencies that can always use low-cost assistance. Getting experience with government agencies will show how committed you are to the industry. Some places to apply that will make your resume stick out as you compete for administrator positions include:

National Institute of Health
Children’s Hospital
Mayo Clinic
Department of Health and Human Services
World Health Organization

Compare the public health intern training programs that are in place, research the requirements, and be sure to prepare yourself for a very intense interview. How you market yourself and represent your skills while you are interviewing is what will matter most. Landing an internship opportunity could greatly impact your career path. This is why you need to take the process seriously, research the various opportunities available, and prepare for your interview. Use the school’s resources, look for several internship opportunities, and gain invaluable experience that can be used to work in hospital administration.