HCA - Healthcare Administration

This is a survey course that provides the foundation upon which the rest of the Healthcare program is based.  It introduces the student to what Healthcare Administration is, trends that have and will shape a rapidly changing highly technical and regulated field that comprises almost twenty percent of our nation’s economy, involves almost every academic institution in research, education, and service activities while impacting virtually every citizen.  The course takes students through an overview of the history of healthcare, describes the various roles they can play working in healthcare administration, introduces them to the language of healthcare management, and then provides an overview of the major areas available for them to pursue.

This course examines health information technology (HIT) and its impact on safety, cost, health policy, quality, and overall health of the population. An overview of the functionality of health informatics as it relates to the interprofessional practice team is included along with the concepts of safety and confidentiality. The student will focus on integrating HIT, data mining, and epidemiologic concepts into one or more of the following areas: clinical settings; aggregate populations; patient education; health promotion; collaborative partnerships with administration and information systems personnel that select and manage information systems designed to improve health-related outcomes.

The role of the healthcare worker as manager and leader is the focus of this course. Traditional leadership and management perspectives are included, integrated with self-care and communication among the healthcare team. Management and leadership theories; organizational characteristics; management functions; legal, ethical, and cultural issues; organizational and personal vision, mission, and strategic goals; and managed care concepts are included. The difference between the healthcare leader and the healthcare manager will be analyzed, allowing students to experience both roles.

This course examines the development, implementation, and evaluation of healthcare policy at the organizational, local, state, national, and international levels. Emphasis is placed on understanding the legal, regulatory, economic, and political forces that shape healthcare systems and healthcare delivery. Students will analyze how policies affect healthcare access, quality, cost, equity, and organizational operations and develop the advocacy skills necessary to influence policy change at multiple levels. The course also introduces the regulatory and accreditation environment governing healthcare facilities and prepares students to understand compliance responsibilities expected of entry-level healthcare administrators. Additional areas of study include the importance of interprofessional collaboration in improving health outcomes through the policy process. The course introduces political astuteness and allows for personal assessment.

Healthcare is based on standards with an aim of quality. This course addresses risk management in healthcare, accreditation processes and criteria, and the concept of continuous quality assessment and evaluation. Students will assess healthcare work environments and apply quality improvement knowledge, with emphasis on patient safety, ethical decision-making, and data-informed operational improvement.

Approved healthcare-related experiences in academia, government, industry or other foundations. Requires the permission of the department and faculty sponsor.