Health Services Management

Health Services Management (HSM) is for middle and senior managers in health services facilities, organizations and agencies who wish to expand their knowledge of, and skills in, health administration. It provides a solid introduction to health services management at the senior level and a broad base for further professional and career development.

To apply, students must be working in a healthcare organization in a managerial position, preferably in a senior management role.

Internet and E-mail Access

Students must have internet and e-mail access (either at home or at work) for communication with CHA Learning and their education consultant.

Course Components

The Health Services Management program has three components.

A. HSM I (Year One)

The conceptual framework for HSM I is the continuum of health services.

This component includes seven home study units, a research paper, a five-day Intramural Session in Ottawa, and a final examination. Attendance at the Intramural session is mandatory. The textbooks are supplemented with current readings from health services and management journals.

The study units include the following topics:

• Canada's healthcare system: origins and development
• The healthcare system in transition
• Professionals in health services
• Acute care services
• Community-based services
• Home care
• Facility-based long term care

B. HSM II (Year Two)

The conceptual framework for HSM II is the management competencies identified by the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

This component includes eight study units, a leadership project and a final examination. Textbooks are supplemented with current readings from journals.

The study units include the following topics:

• Planning and the internal environment
• Planning and the external environment
• Compliance with standards
• Organizing and staffing
• Directing
• Controlling information and financial systems
• Controlling and quality management
• Managing change

For the course outlines, click here: Year 1, Year 2.

C. University Component

The University requirement is the same as for the Long Term Care Management program.

Students in Health Services Management are required to demonstrate learning skills at a university level.

Students already meet this requirement if they have successfully completed a degree level course (one year or two terms in length) at a recognized Canadian university; students must attach a photocopy of their transcript to their application for HSM.

Other HSM students are required to successfully complete a degree level course through a recognized Canadian university (a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada); at a degree level (not a certificate level) and in the fields of health services and sciences, management, administration, business, commerce, or organizational theory and behaviour. A number of Canadian universities offer such courses through distance education. Students have five years from registering into a program to complete this requirement.

Required Registration Documents

Your application is not complete and will not be approved until all documentation has been received. 

• Enclose your current resume.
• Mail in for HSM and LTCM, a photocopy of your university transcript (see University Component description). This is not mandatory to apply for or start the program but must be submitted in order to graduate.
• A non-refundable application fee payable to the Canadian Healthcare Association (see Tuition Fess & Expenses). 

Certificate

Graduates receive a certificate in Health Services Management issued by the Canadian Healthcare Association.

Course Recognition

Athabasca University

Graduates of HSM are eligible for a block of 36 credits toward the Bachelor of Health Administration degree at Athabasca University (www.athabascau.ca). Athabasca University is a publicly-funded institution of the Province of Alberta that reports to the government through the Minister of Advanced Education and Career Development. It offers a wide range of programs through distance education.

CAEM

Graducates who are members of the  Canadian Association of Environmental Management  receive 150 credit hours toward their CEM certification.

CHIMA

Members of the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) (www.chra.ca) who obtain a Certificate in Health Services Management from CHA receive 5 credits to be applied toward CHIMA’s mandatory Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program.

CCHL

The Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) recognizes CHA students and offers a reduced fee for CHA students who wish to apply to the Certified Health Executive (CHE) program offered by CCHL. For more information, please contact the College at www.cchse.org.

Second Certificate Option

Graduates of the HSM program may now obtain a certificate in Long Term Care Management by completing only Year One of the LTCM program. For more information please see the Second Certificate Option page.

For further questions regarding the Health Services Management program contact learninginfo@cha.ca.