Healthcare Leadership

Traits, skills and aptitudes

Those in healthcare leadership roles need: 

• people skills, including the ability to work well with a variety of different people 
• critical thinking 
• strong communication skills 
• the ability to work well under pressure, maintain professional behaviour and regulate their emotions 
• the ability to build consensus 
• excellent negotiation skills. 

You should enjoy team-building activities and developing, implementing and evaluating plans. 

You are strongly encouraged to refer to the ALIS website for career, learning, and employment information for health service administrators.

Practicum, co-op and work integrated learning opportunities

In your Healthcare Leadership capstone course, you may choose to focus your work on a healthcare management problem at your current workplace or find an industry partner willing to provide a scenario and mentor you through the process.

Credential

Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll be awarded a SAIT Healthcare Leadership post-diploma certificate.

Program length

1 year

Accepts international applicants - not-PGWP eligible

This program is open to international applicants; however, program availability may be limited. This program does not meet the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program. 

CAJG-eligible

This program is eligible for the Canada Alberta Job Grant. 

Related careers

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Potential careers (NOC):

• Managers in health care (30010)
• Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers (41404)
• Government managers - health and social policy development and program administration (40010)
• Nursing coordinators and supervisors (31300)

Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet the following requirements or equivalents:

• a post-secondary diploma or degree in a healthcare discipline from a recognized university, institute, or college.

Alternatively, a post-secondary certificate in combination with relevant work experience may be considered and approved at the discretion of the Academic Chair.

Admission requirements - Applicants educated outside of Canada

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options. 

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

Program outline

The Healthcare Leadership certificate requires 27 credits (eight courses) to complete.

The program spans one year, with two semesters.

Required courses

• HCAR 400 - Emergency Preparedness and Planning 3 Credits
• HCAR 401 - Health Economics 3 Credits
• HCAR 402 - Healthcare Leadership Capstone 6 Credits
• HCAR 403 - Healthcare Systems and Governance 3 Credits
• HCAR 404 - Quality and Performance in Healthcare Services 3 Credits
• LDSH 401 - Applied Leadership I 3 Credits
• LDSH 405 - Leadership 3 Credits
• MNGT 408 - Project and People Management 3 Credits

Suggested schedule of study

Progression

You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure > 

Books and supplies

Books, supplies and uniforms are approximately $2,500.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

An Apple or Android laptop or tablet is required. Mobile phones are not a suitable alternative.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore’s website. Booklists are created by semester and available approximately two weeks before classes begin.

Health and Public Safety program advising

For any questions or to set up an advising appointment, please contact our School of Health and Public Safety.

Phone: 403.284.8481
Email: hps.info@sait.ca

Program outcomes

1. Healthcare systems and governance - assess how governance and regulatory landscape affect decision-making and responsible leadership in healthcare systems.
2. Leadership and culture - demonstrate ethical and responsible leadership skills to motivate, train, and build effective teams and foster a socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable culture.
3. Project management - evaluate project planning, scheduling, controlling, and other project management techniques.
4. People management - apply coaching, collaboration, and conflict resolution methods to team building and to influence performance.
5. Quality and performance of healthcare services - promote a mindset of enhanced patient experience focusing on continuous improvement and operational efficiency, and apply quality assurance data and trends analysis in decision-making.
6. Resilient leadership - adopt effective strategies to drive self, team, and patient resilience and well-being to support psychological safety.
7. Health economics - demonstrate business acumen, using financial data to promote strategic decision-making, organizational growth, and financial sustainability.
8. Emergency and disaster preparedness - analyze the medical, psychological, economic, environmental, and ethical perspectives of managing an emergency or disaster.
9. 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.