Health Systems Administration Certificate - Curriculum

Highly trained clinical and administrative professionals drive the nature of work in health care. The purpose of this course is to provide students the opportunity to study leadership theory as it is applied in health care organizations. Leadership theories and applications geared toward professionals working in health service organizations will be emphasized. Students will learn to apply leadership theories via case studies and issue analysis of their active work environments. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).

This is an overview course that will provide an in-depth investigation of the financial workings in the health care industry. The course will be presented through the investigation of the operations of various health care settings – hospitals, physician practices, long term care facilities and home health care providers. The course covers all the essential functions in health care internal financial operations that would be experienced throughout the industry, except for the insurance companies. There are several examples involving physician practices, inpatient hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, etc. During the course the participants will carefully evaluate what the finance department is expected to accomplish. They will better understand the role of the clinical operations manager in the financial health of a health care organization. The course is designed to provide an approach that includes some terminology used in accounting, but more so those terms associated with finance. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).

This course provides a review of the methodology of planning effectively for health care services. The use of data systems and the methods of forecasting, identifying, and analyzing problems are explored. The course will all address the process of strategic planning, setting priorities, developing projects and allocating resources. Students prepare actual application for new programs to regulatory agencies. Lecture 3 (Spring).

This course discusses the delivery system of health care in the US. Specifically, the course will review the current status of American health care including research into population demographics and health and the concept of wellness and prevention. Following this a review of international health care models will occur to consider best practice as alternative care models for consideration for the US. In addition, the students will develop, for their area of interest and expertise, a strategy for incremental or radical innovation in how we provide health care to our constituents. (A minimum of 3rd year standing is required to enroll.) Lecture 3 (Spring).