Healthcare Management Program Ensures Preparation Through Theory and Practice

In today’s world, we are faced with evolving strains of viruses and other such medical threats, and the most vulnerable to both are the workers and patients in healthcare settings. Therefore, there is an increased need for infection control measures such settings. That’s where professionals who have completed a healthcare management degree or diploma program come in. These people, known as environmental service managers, are responsible for developing systems and processes to protect workers, clients and patients from environmental hazards present in the healthcare setting and operate buildings that are safe. As such, they must be comfortable not only with developing, implementing and monitoring operating systems but also thinking critically, problem solving, working with a diverse team and adapting to change.

Centennial College’s healthcare management program in toronto, officially known as Healthcare Environmental Services Management, combines healthcare environmental service knowledge with business and human relations skills to prepare students for challenging careers. Applicants to this offering must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature status (19 years or older); English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and; and Math 11M or U or 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. Please note that there are also particular field placement requirements after admission but prior to each healthcare management program field placement.

Once accepted, students begin two-year’s worth of healthcare management program courses at Morningside Campus, which is the school’s most technologically advanced location. As such, it is fully equipped to enhance the learning of the healthcare management program students who attend courses in large, industry-specific laboratories and computer labs with industry-specific software. Also assisting students in their studies are tools such as simulated real life scenarios, field trips and guest speaker presentations. Finally, there are two field placements (one in second semester and one in fourth semester), which allow students to not only experience the field prior to graduation but also to apply what they have learned, which leads to better comprehension in how to manage these positions once they graduate.

In terms of the curriculum, the healthcare management program offers 25 courses that develop a variety of skills, including: analyzing infection prevention and control practices to ensure compliance with current legislation standards and regulations; managing the healthcare environmental services operations as outlined by the departmental/organizational business plan; contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of the recruitment, orientation, training, development and retention programs for healthcare environmental services employees; developing and evaluate a departmental budget that reflects fiscal accountability and financial planning; and much more. Specific topics covered in these healthcare management program courses include: cleaning linen and methodology, the healthcare systems, infection control, math application for environmental services, purchasing and materials management, healthcare business practices, cost analysis and more.

Healthcare management program grads obtain jobs with hospitals and other clinical settings (nursing homes, and retirement homes as well as commercial buildings, schools and residential buildings) that see them develop systems, processes and increase infection control measures to protect people from hazards present in healthcare settings.