Healthcare Administration Careers Outside the Hospital

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By Jessica Johnson, Vice President, Administrative and Customer Support, Robert Half With an associate degree in healthcare administration, you qualify for a wide and growing range of positions. However, one seems to be a common default: working at a hospital. That might be perfect for one of your peers, but what if you are interested in using your degree, skills and knowledge in a setting outside the typical hospital or large medical clinic? Perhaps an environment and role that better aligns with your passions and personality? Well, there has never been a better time to broaden your outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare and social assistance is projected to be the fastest growing industry sector and have the largest growth from 2023 to 2033.  This growth has created an increasing demand for professionals in the healthcare field, and a shortage. According to the Robert Half 2025 Salary Guide, 80% of healthcare managers are experiencing challenges finding highly skilled job candidates With the healthcare industry’s no-end-in-sight growth and expansion into sectors not traditionally classified as “healthcare,” you have many areas to consider, from nonprofits to startups. These are exciting options that you may not have previously thought about.  Regardless of which career in healthcare outside the hospital appeals to you, the options below can enable you to support the health and well-being of others, whether directly or indirectly. 
In-Demand Healthcare Administration Roles Outside the Hospital  
Of all the options we'll discuss in this post, smaller-sized (and/or specialized) medical facilities hew closest to hospitals, with some key differentiators that might appeal to you. When you work at an individual doctor's office (i.e., a private practice) or a medical group with a few providers, you won't have the same large health system setting and bureaucracy that can come with it, but you'll still be able to interact directly with patients. Because you'll be seeing these patients and their families more regularly compared to a hospital, you can build closer relationships with them. The same is true of the providers and team you'll work with.  Given the smaller size of these offices, you'll also likely play an instrumental role in setting the tone for the practice and seeing the impact of your work firsthand. This can make you feel that your contributions and work matter.  However, what if you'd like to work with a specific patient population or within a field that piques your curiosity? For example, would you find it fulfilling to be part of a team that helps people get back on their feet after surgery or while battling an addiction? If so, working as an administrative assistant at a physical therapy clinic or treatment and recovery center might be worth considering. Perhaps skincare is an interest. Dermatology clinics and med spas are booming.  Meanwhile some healthcare administration associate degree holders I speak with are interested helping the underserved or elderly. Community health centers (also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers) and skilled nursing facilities can be excellent options to consider.
A plethora of nonprofit organizations operate in the healthcare space. Here are several: Hospital foundations If you’re drawn to supporting a hospital's mission but don't feel working inside one is right for you, working at a hospital foundation could be a great fit. Most hospitals have foundations that help financially support them. These foundations focus on raising money for various purposes, from adding a new pediatric wing to running pipeline programs for high school students interested in healthcare careers. If you’re interested in fundraising, some administrative roles at hospital foundations to consider include donor assistant or grants assistant Foundations do more than garner donations, though. They also support making their local communities healthier and helping out when health emergencies strike. This means they need assistance organizing events, managing volunteers, and handling external communications. Roles might include events assistant or volunteer coordinator Disease- and condition-related or organ-specific nonprofits If you or a loved one has been affected by a serious health condition, you might want to be part of a team that helps prevent and treat the condition while supporting those who live with it.  The American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and the American Cancer Society are all examples of nonprofits that engage in lifesaving research, provide health education, conduct outreach and advocacy and help people impacted feel less alone. These organizations often run awareness campaigns (e.g., Go Red for Women) and host large events (e.g., Relay for Life) and support groups, both online and in person.  From working with these types of organizations, I know they appreciate employees who have healthcare knowledge, strong organizational skills and want to make a difference. Is this you?  Provider advocacy groups  Patient care improves when those providing the care have the tools, resources, and training they need to succeed. To ensure they can do so, healthcare professionals band together to promote their interests and healthcare systems at large. Some of these membership organizations include the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Nurses Association and the National Association of Social Workers.  These nonprofits play a variety of roles, such as advancing professionals’ careers through education and training, advocating for their profession in state capitols and Washington, D.C., and keeping the public informed of issues impacting healthcare through research, publications and the media. If helping the helpers appeals to you, working with provider advocacy groups could be a career in healthcare worth exploring.  Healthcare think tanks  Healthcare think tanks conduct research and analysis on topics ranging from healthcare access to quality and cost of care, aiming to improve patient outcomes. They are often the epicenter of in-depth health policy discussions and critical decision-making that affect millions of patients. These think tanks sometimes have “policy” or “institute” in their name, and they may be affiliated with universities, healthcare providers or organizations. They tend to be nonprofit and nonpartisan. Examples include the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy.  If you enjoy intellectually stimulating environments focused on addressing the major health issues of the day and improving patients' lives on a large scale, you might find working at a healthcare think tank fulfilling. Community and social services nonprofits  A growing number of community and social services organizations are providing healthcare to the surrounding community as part of their service offerings. For example, some after-school programs offer children's vaccinations, while several food banks offer blood pressure screenings.  Today, even the types of local community and social services nonprofits that haven’t historically provided healthcare are now engaging with the sector. This shift is based on the widely accepted understanding that food, housing, transportation and emotional support significantly influence people’s health and are most effectively addressed together.  The above approaches require community and social services organizations to collaborate closely with healthcare providers. Consequently, these organizations need individuals with a background in healthcare to help them effectively communicate with medical providers and better understand how healthcare operates. This means there are more opportunities for you to join a community or social services nonprofit that aligns with your passion. 
Healthcare spending in the U.S. consumed 17.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, with projections indicating an increase to 17.6% in 2023, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As a result, companies providing goods and services to the industry are numerous. Here are a few to explore:  Startups and digital health companies Many fitness trackers, telehealth platforms and wellness coaching apps originated within startup organizations. At the cutting edge of healthcare innovation, these companies use technology—from AI to robotics—to quickly prevent, detect, and treat illnesses and bolster physical and mental health.  If you're intrigued by the newest ideas in improving health and wellness and thrive in a culture of entrepreneurship, you might find these companies a good fit. You’ll commonly find these startups and digital health companies located in Silicon Valley, Boston, New York City and Austin. Many are on the lookout for support staff with your degree and skill set.  Medical products and supply companies Between patients and those caring for them, numerous devices, equipment and supplies are needed in healthcare settings - everything from ventilators and CT scanners to wound dressings and surgical gloves.  To fill these material needs, there are a wide range of medical products and supply companies, from niche, private players to large public multinationals. If you prioritize a high level of job security, the latter might appeal as the market size for medical products and supplies continues to accelerate. However, if you relish being part of a smaller company focused on new medical solutions, a private company might be a better fit. Either way, these opportunities could be a career in healthcare worth exploring. Professional recruitment and staffing companies  With ongoing healthcare workforce shortages, many professional recruitment and staffing agencies are spending significant amounts of time trying to help a wide variety of employers (see: all the options above) find the talent they need.  In turn, these staffing companies need recruiters who understand healthcare. In my 10 years specializing in the healthcare labor market for Robert Half, I have been thrilled to hire recruiters who are fluent in the A-Z of the industry. If you enjoy connecting people with exciting career opportunities, then I’d recommend considering recruitment. 
Although you have numerous directions to consider taking your healthcare career outside the hospital, this is just the start! Given the industry invests heavily in training and education to adapt to evolving regulations and to close skills gaps, opportunities to further your career abound.  For example, the industry's culture of learning and growth often leads employers to offer education reimbursement. According to Robert Half’s 2025 Salary Guide, 48% pay for professional qualifications. I’ve seen many talented professionals like you use these types of benefits to help build a career path to higher-level roles.  The combination of career advancement opportunities and industry stability helps explain why I’ve watched the vast majority of individuals who start in healthcare build rewarding, long-term careers within it.  If you’d like to explore the diversity of job options available to you, please get in touch with one of our Robert Half recruiters or visit our website Follow Jessica Johnson on LinkedIn.