Healthcare Leadership

Program Description

The Healthcare Leadership program focuses on the critical areas of leadership and management development specific to healthcare. Learners will develop core skills and competencies in leadership and management, conflict management and resolution, people management, effective communications, finances and economics, service and patient focus, healthcare governance, performance measurement, and other elements of leadership in a healthcare environment.To correspond with current trends in healthcare leadership, the program will offer unique skills in the areas of resilience and emergency planning and preparedness.

This program is comprised of inter-disciplinary study, culminating in a capstone project that enables students to apply their knowledge towards addressing leadership challenges in their own organizations. The Healthcare Leadership program is led by experienced healthcare and business instructors, blending health topics with strategic leadership studies that prepare students to navigate the rapidly changing field of healthcare.

Program Overview

Fast Facts

This program should be completed full-time or part-time

Program Length:
- Full-Time (2 Semesters)
- Part-Time (Variable)

This program is delivered in an online or blended format

Full-Time Intakes

Part-Time Intakes

This program is geared towards practicing health professionals who are acting in, or seeking to move towards, leadership roles in healthcare environments
Part-time online delivery is intended to accomodate working professionals
This program includes self-paced and synchronous components
Please note that completion of this program’s capstone course requires a letter of acknowledgement from a health-related employer or organization indicating approval for the implementation of a capstone project at their organization.

Your Career

Graduates of this program may find or advance their employment in a variety of capacities within healthcare settings. Potential roles include but are not limited to:

Director of Care (long-term care)
Team Coordinator
Clinic Administrative Manager
Client Care Manager or Assistant Manager
Head or Assistant Head Nurse
Clinical Care or Technical Supervisor (nursing, long-term care, diagnostic services)
Client Services Manager (nursing)
Hospital Manager
Dental Office Manager
Health Unit Manager or Supervisor
Ward Supervisor

Credentials

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be awarded a SAIT Healthcare Leadership post-diploma certificate.

Accreditation

The are currently no regulatory or accrediting bodies governing this type of program. However, a wide range of industry representatives from the following health-related regulatory bodies were consulted during the design of this program: College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA), College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA), and the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). Such consultation provided valuable insight into the current needs of industry and highly sought after skills.

Progression

The progression requirement for students taking credit courses is a Term GPA and Total Institutional GPA of 2.0, with the exception of English Language Foundations and Academic Upgrading programs.

Admission Requirements

Post-secondary diploma or degree in a healthcare discipline from a recognized university, institute, or college, or,
Post-secondary certificate in combination with relevant work experience may be considered and approved at the discretion of the Academic Chair

All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

Program Outline

Year 1

Semester 1

HCAR 401 - Health Economics 3 Credits
HCAR 403 - Healthcare Systems and Governance 3 Credits
LDSH 405 - Leadership 3 Credits
MNGT 408 - Project and People Management 3 Credits

Semester 2

HCAR 400 - Emergency Preparedness and Planning 3 Credits
HCAR 402 - Healthcare Leadership Capstone 6 Credits
HCAR 404 - Quality and Performance in Healthcare Services 3 Credits
LDSH 401 - Applied Leadership I 3 Credits

Total Credits 27

Program Outcomes

Healthcare Systems and Governance: Assess how governance and regulatory landscape affect decision making and responsible leadership in healthcare systems.
Leadership and Culture: Demonstrate ethical and responsible leadership skills to motivate, train, and build effective teams, and, foster a culture that is socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable.
Project Management: Evaluate project planning, scheduling, controlling, and other project management techniques.
People Management: Apply coaching, collaboration, and conflict resolution methods to team building and to influence performance.
Quality and Performance of Healthcare Services: Promote a mindset of enhanced patient experience with a focus on continuous improvement and operational efficiency, and, apply quality assurance data and trends analysis in decision-making.
Resilient Leadership: Adopt effective strategies to drive self, team, and patient resilience and well-being, to support psychological safety.
Health Economics: Demonstrate business acumen, using financial data to promote strategic decision making, organizational growth, and financial sustainability.
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness: Analyze the medical, psychological, economic, environmental, and ethical perspectives of managing an emergency or disaster.
Professional Communication: Communicate professionally and effectively in all business partnerships, practicing ethical behaviours to develop relationships with partners, patients and their families, staff, and peers.