Robust and Important Changes Within the Health

¶ … robust and important changes within the health care environment. Many of these changes have been the direct result of globalization, increased stakeholder expectations and technological improvements. These global changes, an increasingly diverse population and spiraling costs, require that the modern health care professional work to improve organization skills, efficiency, clinical and business knowledge, and the ability to effectively lead in when faced with different organizational challenges (Johnson, 2009; Hyde & Cook, 2004). Professionally, my career goal is to finish graduate school with an MBA specializing in Health Care Management.

During my coursework, I hope to obtain additional mid-level management experience in the field, increase my knowledge of IT systems and leadership / organizational methods, using a combination of experience and professional education to further my goals. Eventually, I hope to become a health care administrator and faculty facilitator for Health Care management programs at the University of Phoenix. I believe my personal strength will assist me in the above.

I am a results-driven professional with a substantive background in the health care field; over 17 years' experience in medical billing, leadership and customer-service operations. I have worked in single physician practices, specialty practices and corporate billing. My experience also includes all aspects of the human resource paradigm (owner/operator, supervisor, interviewing, marketing, hiring, coaching, etc.).

I have always believed in continual and robust professional development, but know that one of my strengths is also one of my weaknesses -- that of taking on more projects than time allows and trying to overbalance priorities. Nevertheless, I am very aware that I need to update my skills within the higher levels of health care management, as well as increase my knowledge in health care technological systems and information technology.

I realize that dynamic leadership is not just about rising to the occasion during stressful times, and although I tend to practice a combination of servant and inclusive leadership, I know I will benefit from additional work on a graduate level (ACHE, 2008; Career: Health Care Administrator, 2013).

I believe I will be a proactive leader and mentor within the health care field, largely because of my willingness to "go the extra mile" to build and then mentor a positive and effective team, and to learn through additional experience and education how to turn my personality negatives into positives within the workplace. Indeed, I have come to realize that an organization is really just an extension of a group designed to work together for a specific goal.

The concern for leaders of these types of proactive groups is the manner in which the leader will motivate staff under the rubric of efficiency, customer-service, cost-effectiveness -- all the while maintaining the highest possible standards of health care and patient satisfaction (O'Connor, 2006). I realize that it is important, too, to continually challenge myself into academic and personal success. Critical thinking is a must within the modern health care environment, particularly when one thinks about the vast amount of information that changes on a regular basis.

While there remains a place for a structured setting within the modern health care field, " -- education is no longer enough. Learners expect to be engaged and entertained more than ever…. Learners are exposed to a variety of stimulating and on-demand media sources daily…. Learning modes need to be equally engaging" (Huntley, 2009, p. 32). Indeed, this has become my mantra as I move through my career. Thus, it is a combination of a number of models that I believe will help my future success within the field.

First, expanded knowledge and experience at a professional level in which extraordinary standards are the norm. Second, practical training and applications focusing on new technologies and IT management within the health care field. And finally, integration.