This course is an introduction and examination of the current global health care industry, including knowledge of relevant trends. It introduces healthcare and medical terminology and the exploration of the healthcare continuum. The class includes issues such as health policy, health values and beliefs, patient rights, managed care models, reimbursement, malpractice, risk management, and integration and interaction among healthcare sectors and regulating agencies, government and economic influence on the system.

This course introduces the student to professional communication in the health care setting and explores the range of communication competencies required by health care professionals in a successful organization. Communication between individuals, within groups and through electronic media is practiced. Students are guided in methods for dissemination and interpretation of health related messages to the community.

This course will introduce the student to the basics of project management and team dynamics within a health care environment. Project management skills, monitoring progress and evaluating/revising approaches and outcomes will be explored. Students will also utilize principles of team dynamics required in a health care environment that are values driven, effective, and efficient.

Applying Transformation tools, key concepts and ability to use basic analytical tools related to strategy, financial, economic, and marketing planning in a health care organization. Topics include revenues, costs, supply and demand, pricing, sales and advertising, and the development of products and services to meet market needs.

Discussion will include the internal operating environment of a health care organization, including the impact of current health care regulations, legislation, and advocacy. Topics will include governance role and structure and medical staff role and by-laws in relation to the healthcare organization. Organization and communication structures between patients, providers, and administration will be identified. Information systems, risk management, accreditation and customer satisfaction principles and tools will be a focus. Marketing and public and community relations will be explored.

Explores leadership theory and practice within the health care environment including issues such as emerging models of effective values-centered leadership, conflicts between individual value systems, ethical standards and legal considerations, and protection of the rights of patients, practitioners, and institutions. Research paper satisfies advanced writing requirement.

This capstone course emphasizes student participation, initiative, and integration of knowledge and skills gained throughout the HCL program. The focus of this practicum is service-learning. Service-learning is a way of learning through experience in which the student apply healthcare leadership skills by addressing community organization needs and contribute in a meaningful way to a non-profit organization.