Courses Health Care Operations

This course prepares learners for master’s-level course work in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, learners analyze how the role of the practitioner-scholar guides leadership in the health care field and determine the ways in which they can effectively use communication strategies expected of health care professionals. In particular, learners examine the attributes that contribute to effective and ethical health care leadership, including professional collaboration, communication, inclusion, and decision making. Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course gain knowledge of and apply financial management concepts, principles, and processes used in health care organizations. Learners examine accounting, financial statements and ratios, budgeting, capitalization, cost allocation, reimbursement methodologies and processes, and the impact of varying reimbursement structures on health care practice and service delivery. Learners also design, prepare, and manage health care budgets; analyze short- and long-term health care investment decisions; and articulate the ways effective health care finance and accounting processes are used to present operational and strategic financial information to organizational stakeholders.

In this course, learners examine strategic orientation, planning, and decision making in health care organizations and environments. Learners analyze the political, legal, regulatory, organizational, demographical, and multicultural implications of strategic planning decisions and how those decisions impact communities and populations, define best practices for health care organization staff development, and balance the prioritization of organizational and regulatory needs with feasible cost-effective solutions. Learners also develop a long-term strategic health care plan that includes information on human resource requirements, technology needs, and financial implications

Learners in this course examine and articulate the fundamental concepts and principles of health care organization management and leadership, including governance, cost-effective decision making, and managing and leading stakeholders and staff. Learners identify best practices for mobilizing, managing, and improving employee, organization, stakeholder, and community commitment and for creating employee-centered organizations that foster professional and organizational accountability. Learners also analyze an organizational leadership structure and governance plan and examine how to apply team leadership skills to initiate change. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in MHA5010.

Learners in this course gain and apply an understanding of how data drives decision making at every level of health care administration, including in value-based reimbursement as well as operations and outcomes. Learners identify ways to use data analysis tools and techniques in the pursuit of value, quality, and safety. Throughout the course, learners use readings, media presentations, and real-world examples to analyze a particular foundational statistical concept and related practical application.

In this course, learners examine the political, legal, and regulatory issues impacting health care organizations and environments. Learners analyze the effects of health care policy on health care practice and service delivery, with particular emphasis on the strategies used to monitor and maintain legal and regulatory compliance. Learners also identify and apply health care policy and law concepts that promote organizational improvement.

This course helps learners develop and demonstrate concepts, principles, issues, and trends in health care economics and the economic decision-making practices employed in the health care environment. Learners analyze the political, legal, regulatory, organizational, demographical, and multicultural implications of business decisions on health care economics; explore the ways economic and stakeholder influences affect operational planning and decision making; and practice applying performance monitoring and process management measures as part of the decision-making process. Learners also examine cost-effective problem solving; community- and population-based orientation; and effective use of health care market research, analysis, and assessment.

In this course, learners demonstrate proficiency in their specialization area by selecting a health care problem in their specific area of interest, conducting a data analysis, and finally, proposing evidence-based recommendations for resolution. Throughout the course, learners practice three key industry-identified competency groups—transformation, execution, and people. For MHA learners only. Prerequisite(s): Completion of all required and elective coursework. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course focus on demonstrating knowledge of concepts, principles, processes, and issues associated with health care quality, risk, and regulatory compliance. Learners examine performance measures associated with quality of care, patient safety, risk management, regulatory standards and compliance, and patient and stakeholder satisfaction and conduct a cost benefit analysis based on these factors. Learners also evaluate the impact of regulatory demands on health care organizations and environments and integrate health care market analysis and scorecard results into formal and informal designs for process improvement and organizational fitness. Prerequisite(s): MHA5010, NHS6008.

Learners in this course develop the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use health information systems and technology in health care organizations and environments. Learners differentiate between administrative, clinical, management, and decision-support information technology tools; design and evaluate short-and long-term IT management projects; and analyze the budgetary and financial concerns associated with implementing IT management projects. Learners also demonstrate best practices and industry standards of health information systems management into professional practice, with an emphasis on effective staff management and organizational performance. Prerequisite(s): NHS5004, NHS6008.

In this course, learners examine concepts, principles, and processes for human capital management in order to create employeecentered health care organizations. In particular, learners develop a human capital strategy for a health care organization that considers organizational need, budgets, and environmental forces. Specific course topics include employee recruitment, retention, influence, and accountability; staff development; and workforce optimization. Prerequisite(s): MHA5006, MHA5010, NHS6004, NHS6008.

In this course, learners examine and apply concepts and processes used to optimize facilities and capital asset management in health care organizations. Learners analyze obsolescence and routine maintenance in facility operations; synthesize formal and informal decision-making structures and power relationships; plan, execute, and evaluate short- and long-term capital projects; and identify ways to incorporate research, communication, and collaboration into professional practice with an emphasis on targeting the capital needs, including financing of capital and capital budgeting for the health care organization. Prerequisite(s): MHA5006, MHA5010, NHS6004, NHS6008.