Betriebswirt/Betriebswirtin (Fachschule) für Management im Gesundheitswesen/Bachelor Professional in Wirtschaft

The advanced training takes place at vocational academies (Fachschule) and other educational institutions. Learning locations include classrooms and computer rooms.

This is an advanced training profession, leading to a Bachelor Professional qualification. The type of advanced training is regulated by state law at vocational academies (Fachschule). The training duration is 2-4 years (full-time/part-time). Business administrators (Betriebswirt/Betriebswirtin) specializing in healthcare management work at the interface between management and medical leadership. They develop strategic positioning and corresponding corporate goals. In finance and accounting, they prepare financing plans for investments, conduct cost accounting, and provide information for management. In marketing, they analyze competition and develop marketing strategies. They also optimize workflows and information flows within the framework of social management and internal organization. Furthermore, they review accounting documents, prepare balance sheets, and develop decision-making aids for management, for example, for hospital directors.

The full-time advanced training duration is 2 years, while part-time is 3-4 years.

Advanced training at state vocational academies (Fachschule) is generally free for students. Private vocational academies, however, usually charge course fees, and sometimes admission and examination fees. Additional costs may arise, for example, for study materials, travel to the training institution, or external accommodation. Business administration advanced training can be financially supported according to the Advanced Training Promotion Act (Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz). For more information, please refer to 'Aufstiegs-BAföG - Aufstieg mit Förderung' and for the promotion of particularly talented young professionals, 'Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Weiterbildungsstipendium'.

The learning areas include: Subject-specific topics such as business administration, accounting, business mathematics and statistics, business informatics and organization, management in healthcare (clinic management/practice management), specialized medical knowledge/health education. Cross-disciplinary topics include communication, English, economics/politics. Additional knowledge: Schools may provide additional knowledge that enables the acquisition of trainer suitability (Ausbildereignung) or university of applied sciences entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife).

Vocational academies (Fachschule) may offer additional qualifications, such as preparation for the examination as a specialist in health and social services (Fachwirt/in) or certification as a project manager.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing the advanced training examination: Economics/Law: for example, to manage the available budget. Mathematics: for example, to perform cost and performance accounting and to evaluate statistics.

The advanced training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the education provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: Class times for full-time education: full-day classes on at least four weekdays. For part-time education: usually career-accompanying advanced training on weekends or in the evenings. Learning format: usually in-person events, meaning classroom instruction at the educational institution, which may not be in the place of residence.

For advanced training abroad, there are options such as: Switzerland: Advanced training offers from 'wab - Die Weiterbildungsdatenbank der Schweiz' (Switzerland's Advanced Training Database), for example, using the search term 'Gesundheitswesen' (Healthcare). Documentation of professional experience abroad: The Europass offers the possibility to document learning stays completed abroad. Further information on Europass is available.

Participation in advanced training is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Business Administrator (Fachschule) for Management in Healthcare: In the field of Health and Social Management: Business Administrator (Fachschule) for Social Services; Certified Specialist in Social Insurance, specializing in statutory pension and miners' social insurance; Certified Specialist in Health and Social Services; State-certified Specialist for Organization and Leadership, with a focus on Social Pedagogy. Commonality: taking on specialist and leadership tasks in health and social management. In the field of Medicine: Certified Professional Specialist for Outpatient Medical Care. Commonality: taking on specialist and leadership tasks in practice management.

2020: Amendment of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO): among other things, the introduction of the advanced training qualifications 'Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in' (Certified Professional Specialist), 'Bachelor Professional', and 'Master Professional' to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. The use of these professional titles depends on the enactment of corresponding new advanced training regulations.

The school and technical college (Fachschule) regulations of the federal states (Bundesland) govern the duration, as well as possibilities for shortening and extending the training. Participants with a degree in another specialization within the field of economics or with a second specialization can shorten the advanced training. Participants lacking professional experience can partially gain it during the advanced training, which may extend its duration.

This advanced training is legally regulated only in the mentioned federal state and leads to the following qualification: North Rhine-Westphalia: State-certified Business Administrator (Staatlich geprüfter Betriebswirt) - Specialization in Medical Administration (Bachelor Professional in Wirtschaft). For internally regulated advanced training programs: Business Administrator in Health and Social Services (FHM).

State-certified Business Administrator for Management in Healthcare is a vocational advanced training. It is regulated by state law and takes place at technical colleges (Fachschule). The full-time training lasts 2 years, while part-time training takes 3-4 years. There are also educational programs based on internal regulations.

Prospective business administrators in healthcare management can improve their career prospects by acquiring additional qualifications during their advanced training, such as project manager certification. After their advanced training, they can work in hospitals, specialized clinics, or medical care centers. They can also be employed in elderly care homes or by outpatient social services. Furthermore, health authorities, health insurance companies, and other social security providers are potential employers. Through adaptive advanced training (Anpassungsweiterbildung), one can keep their expertise current, up-to-date, and expanded. The range of topics covers everything from health management to controlling.

School and technical college (Fachschule) regulations: The advanced training is regulated by state law in the following federal state: Ordinance on Training and Examinations in Vocational College Programs (Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsordnung Berufskolleg - APO-BK) of May 26, 1999 (GV. NRW. S. 240, amended GV. NRW. 2000 S. 563, GV. NRW. 2001 S. 766), last amended by Article 3 of the Ordinance of January 29, 2026 (GV. NRW. S. 130). There are no state-specific regulations in the following federal states: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia.

Technical colleges (Fachschule) generally require a degree in a relevant recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) and professional experience. The minimum educational requirement is a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss).