Advanced Diploma in Management of a Healthcare Unit

Purpose

This qualification is an advanced diploma level and recognises the key competencies required for management in healthcare units for managers who will work independently with minimum supervision by a higher authority in a variety of contexts.

This qualification will be particularly useful for

• Individuals wish to progress into management positions.
• Existing managers.

Rationale

This distance 2-year part-time or 1-year full-time qualification is designed to provide intellectual enrichment as well as an emphasis on the specialised requirements that are necessary for managing a healthcare unit. The qualification is compiled so that theoretical knowledge gained can be applied in the actual workplace, and thus experiential and workplace learning form an essential part of the qualification.

The provision of healthcare services remains a challenge in many countries. This qualification hopes to assist in providing healthcare managers who can contribute to providing an efficient healthcare service. This thereby contributes to the goals of the World Health Organisation to make healthcare accessible to all.

This qualification will also prepare the manager of the healthcare unit to implement the norms and standards regulations of the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) so that the quality of healthcare complies with the requirements set by the OHSC for private healthcare institutions in South Africa.

There are currently numerous qualifications at different NQF levels for business management available, but not many that have a specific focus on healthcare service management specifically for the management of a unit in a healthcare facility.

This qualification will benefit individual holders of the qualification, the health services industry and society in the following ways:

• Enhance the career path of individuals, open doors for employment and provide mobility for the individual to move between different areas within the healthcare environment.
• The qualification provides for the holistic development of individuals and the competencies required in performing the job. It is also of benefit to society, as it aims to provide efficient healthcare services.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is conducted in accordance with the institution's RPL policy Applicants must meet the minimum entry requirements, as they form the basis upon which to build specialization.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Health Services Administration, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Emergency Medical Care, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Nursing Administration, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Nursing, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework, Level 7, totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Applied Research, 8 Credits.
• Leadership in Healthcare Unit, 30 Credits.
• Operational Management of the Healthcare Unit 1.1, 22 Credits.
• Operational Management of Healthcare Unit 1.2, 60 Credits.

1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills required for the management of a healthcare unit.
2. Demonstrate the underpinning knowledge and the relevant leadership skills necessary as a manager.
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply management principles and skills in the daily running of a healthcare unit.
4. Demonstrate the ability to discuss management principles and skills in the operational running of a healthcare unit.
5. Apply management principles and skills in the strategic running of a healthcare unit.
6. Analyse and apply the principles of research and methodology in investigating health service-related problems and presenting relevant solutions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Reflect knowledge correctly in the practice as a manager in a variety of circumstances.
• Independently demonstrate management of the healthcare unit.
• Manage unforeseen circumstances accordingly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate the underpinning knowledge and the relevant leadership skills necessary as a manager.
• Apply management principles and skills in the daily running of a healthcare unit.
• Discuss management principles and skills in the operational running of a healthcare unit.
• Apply management principles and skills in the strategic running of a healthcare unit.
• Build mutually beneficial relationships with all stakeholders (e.g. Personnel, doctors, suppliers, service providers).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Handle daily personnel issues accordingly.
• Monitor and manage incidents and risks efficiently.
• Manage patient/client satisfaction.
• Actively manage client experience.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Conduct workforce planning, forecasting and talent development planning.
• Schedule personnel according to organisational and legal requirements.
• Develop strategies to manage absenteeism in the workplace.
• Manage the output and performance of teams.
• Identify risks and incidents; implement precautions put in place and governance processes.
• Perform audits according to quality policy and legislative requirements.
• Manage patient accounts and keep up to date.
• The learner can interpret relevant financial data.
• Analyse financial reports and clarify or address variances.
• Monitor and manage trends in internal and external environments.
• Manage budgets cost-effectively.
• Maintain the brand image.
• Manage maintenance of the building and equipment in the unit.
• Develop plans to optimise unit capacity utilisation according to business priority and required resources.
• Actively investigate and motivate new opportunities.
• Develop plans that can be implemented in the event of a major incident.
• Compile business reports.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply the organisational strategy.
• Compile a strategic plan for the unit according to the mission, vision, values, and goals of the organisation.
• The learner provides input into strategic hospital initiatives as required.
• Compile the following budgets: Capital, Operational, Personnel
• Maintain and manage assets efficiently (e.g., property, plant, equipment, vehicles, vehicles, stock).
• Adequately explain principles of project implementation.
• Understand applicable legislation.
• Ensure operational compliance with internal policies and standards, legislation, and regulations.
• Describe information systems used in healthcare and discuss the benefits and disadvantages.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Research and literature review are done to come up with solutions to problems and to make decisions.
• Utilise information /correctly for developing quality improvement plans.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Work-integrated learning (WIL) is integrated throughout the qualification.

Guidelines for Practice: The following guidelines, with due consideration of the module content and learning outcomes, shall apply to practice:

• Clinical practice will be appropriately distributed.
• Clinical practice is not less than 720 hours of the qualification duration of two academic years as a part-time learner.
• Clinical practice takes place in a healthcare unit.
• The learner will take responsibility for managing the time to achieve the necessary work-integrated learning.
• A memorandum of agreement will be signed between the educational institution and the placement facility to obtain a commitment from the facility management to enable the learner to achieve the relevant outcomes.

Assessment and Moderation Integrated Assessment

Mediclinic institutional, qualification, and subject policies will be followed to assess learners. Assessment strategies will apply subject policy, procedures, rules, and regulations, always aiming towards having valid, fair, authenticated, sufficient, current, and reliable evidence to reflect the learner's knowledge and competence to apply newly acquired skills. Mediclinic assessment and moderation policies will apply.

The aim is to establish a learning environment to allow an interactive learning process to ensure learners achieve the desired outcomes, i.e., coaching learners and offering appropriate tutorials.

Assessment will be formative and summative as specified. Formative assessments will take the form of assignments, tests, case studies, and clinical assessments. Clinical assessments will include cognitive, psychomotor, and affective aspects.

Formative assessment may be given by means of

• Written assignments (research proposal and research report)
• Research project
• Portfolio of Evidence/workbook
• Tests (written and online)

A monthly progress report will be requested from the mentor in the clinical environment to monitor competence, affective skills, and characteristics of professionalism such as honesty, integrity, reliability, and caring.

Summative assessment will be conducted by means of

• Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) / workbook
• Written examinations.

Security and quality assurance will be done according to Mediclinic policies, procedures, and processes. Assessments will be aligned with the relevant Exit NQF Level and Specific Outcomes, being guided by the associated assessment criteria. Assessors, internal and external moderators must have an appropriate qualification at an NQF Level above this qualification, i.e., a bachelor's degree. Learners can be assessed by assessors who have undergone the Mediclinic workplace assessment programme. Summative assessments must be done by assessors registered and qualified as assessors by a relevant ETQA.