Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Health system managers require appropriate knowledge, competencies and attitudes to confront the challenges facing the health of modern communities. Acquisition of management competencies can best occur on the basis of an extensive knowledge and understanding of the theoretical principles that underlie organisational behaviour and the systems, structure and processes that characterise modern health services. This unit forms the knowledge and competency basis for health managers and lays the groundwork for more advanced education in the leadership role of health executives.

Aims

This unit will provide you as a future health manager with an understanding of the principles of management in health that may inform your personal growth and development and the acquisition of personal management competencies.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to utilise the knowledge and understanding derived from this unit, to continuously develop your management competencies in the industry environment.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of financial management in health and in particular budgeting, cost centre management, cost analysis and budget integrity;
2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human resource management principles in health including workforce design and development, selection and recruitment, conflict management, individual and team performance management, and occupational health and safety;
3. demonstrate an understanding of resource allocation methods and their application;
4. demonstrate an understanding of Information Management as it applies to health management;
5. demonstrate a capacity to apply appropriate listening, interpersonal communication, advocacy, and negotiation and mediation skills to more effectively manage interpersonal and improve organisational performance.

Content

This unit will introduce you to the basic principles and practice of health management including:
* organisational behaviour, culture and change
* financial management including budget formulation and cost centre interpretation and analysis
* human resource management including selection and recruitment, credentialing, rostering and performance management including remediation in the health sector
* resource allocation including equipment, consumable, human resources and finance
* information management
* project management
* communication, negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be available in both external and internal mode. The core information will be presented as a learning package that combines a study guide with lectures and written and audiovisual material.

Assessment

There are two assessments to be completed by the end of the semester.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. You will be provided with feedback on all your assessments as you progress through the unit.

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: You will be required to prepare a business case for a new initiative in which all the elements of management (as discussed in this unit) must be applied to articulate the implications of this initiative.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: You will be required to complete a written take home exam.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

There are no materials or resources required to be purchased for this unit.
Pre-reading learning materials will be developed as part of the preparation for the unit. There will also be a study guide prepared. There is no specific text for this unit. References to case studies, readings and other materials will be provided for you. Also you will be provided with directions on access in week 1, the majority of this will be on-line cases and articles.
References: to be determined based on currently available materials

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks in this unit apart from those associated with substantial computer-based work. You should refer to the guidelines for safe work at VDUs contained in the SPH Guidelines to Students. Also ensure that your workstation is adjusted in accordance with these.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 01-Jun-2012