Healthcare is one of the most highly regulated industries today. There are a plethora of reasons that this is the case. First, it is one of the nation’s largest systems in place. Second, a person’s health encompasses more than just their current physical state . The information contained in someone’s medical records is intimate and important. Access by the wrong person presents the opportunity for fraud and preying on the vulnerable. Plus, such a breach could affect one’s ability to access to necessary treatment. This is what puts organizations at risk.
Doctors and healthcare professionals aim to provide their patients with the highest level of care. How do legal professionals integrate their knowledge and skills into an effort to upgrade the healthcare system? By providing regulations and implementing risk management plans that give protection for patient safety.
For those who want to work in the healthcare industry ensuring its security, risk management strategies in healthcare afford that opportunity. Here is where Seattle University School of Law can help you break into the field. Earning a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in healthcare compliance can aid in jumpstarting or furthering your career.
The Intersection of Legal and Health
Some professions seem to inform every other profession. Law is a classic example. Laws apply to everything around us: housing, family, criminal, business, estate, and more. While there are plenty of ways one might associate health with the law – such as when it comes to granting healthcare power of attorney, signing waivers when taking on risk-based activities, and end-of-life measures – you might not realize how much regulation exists in the field. Congressional Acts, such as HIPAA, have been in place for decades to make sure that protected health information (PHI) stays exactly that way – protected.
Acts such as HIPAA are only a facet of what falls under healthcare compliance. Government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid fall under regulations because they provide healthcare services to so many Americans. These programs touch everything; hospitals, pharmacies, doctors, nurses, and any other medical provider. Risk-retention and compliance with the guidelines set out in these programs impact the bottom line of the financial aspect of the business.
When it comes to managing risk strategies in national healthcare, the systems and what they contain are under constant threat of attack. Risk management strategies within business operations are critical. Technology is constantly evolving as is the demand on healthcare organizations and their systems. Strategies for national healthcare practices and their security change with growth and new regulations.
Stepping into Healthcare Compliance
Education is one of the key components of making healthcare compliance your career. A bachelor’s degree is generally required in a program that is related to the field. A bachelor of science in health care management, public health, or risk management and insurance are a few options for college degrees.
Once you’ve obtained your bachelor’s degree, you can either continue to a graduate degree or begin working. For students at Seattle University, you can do both, as our program is part-time. This allows our students to simultaneously gain career experience while deepening their knowledge. Having a program that lets students continue with their work and life obligations while attending school removes some barriers that graduate degree programs can pose.
Getting a graduate degree, such as our MLS in Compliance and Risk Management with a concentration in healthcare compliance, grants specialized knowledge about the field that gives an advantage when it comes to your career. That in addition to any work experience you have presents an excellent combination for career advancement.
Healthcare compliance provides a variety of career options, such as:
- Compliance Manager
- Compliance Officer
- Patient Privacy and Protection Specialist
- Compliance Auditor
These roles lead, review, and monitor compliance efforts for biotech companies, pharmaceuticals, nonprofits, advocacy groups, government health agencies, and healthcare facilities. They also advocate for patients and patient satisfaction.
Choose Seattle University School of Law
Our programs, faculty, and graduates are the recipients of achievement awards and provide a network of resources for our students. In addition to our program being part-time, it is online and asynchronous, paving the way to have more students join from across the nation. Our expertly designed program optimizes our students’ learning potential.
If your calling lies within healthcare compliance, there is no time like today to begin your journey. Contact our admissions office to figure out how to get started.
