Anyone who wants to become a health care policy analyst will need at least a bachelor’s degree with specialized training. Most employers expect job applicants to have a degree in health care policy or public health, but a degree in health care administration or the health social sciences is acceptable. They will need at least two to three years of relevant work experience delivering policy solutions that change lives and improve programs.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree related to health care policy, leadership or administration. The latter is the most commonly available degree because it prepares individuals to become future managers and leaders within …show more content…
This is because employers want health policy professionals who are willing to tackle system-wide problems affecting community and national health. Graduate programs focus on producing health policy analysts who can handle the current and future challenges in the public health and health care systems. They may take classes in epidemiology, statistical methods and health policy evaluation methods.
Students will focus on current issues, such as the massive amounts of people who are still uninsured or lack access to health care services. Students will learn how enact policies that strengthen the weakened public and private health infrastructures. One common topic is how health policy professionals can influence public health and reduce preventable conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Graduates of these programs will have a profound impact on the laws and regulations governing health care because they will have strong writing, research and advocacy skills.
In order to become a health care policy analyst and administrator who is competent and qualified, there are certification programs through organizations like the American Health Information Management