Department of Health Management & Informatics
College of Health & Public Affairs, University of Central Florida
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: / Myron Fottler / Credit Hours / 3 Credit Hours
Office: / HPA II, 209 / Office Hours: / Mon. 1:00-5PM, or APPT
Phone: / 407-823-5531 / Term: / Fall 2013
E-Mail: / / Class Meeting Days: / Monday
Student Asst: / Alicia Beardsley / Class Meeting Hours: / 6:00 PM - 8:50 PM
E-Mail / / Class Location: / CL1 0107
This class meets face to face on the following Dates
August 19 September 23 November 4 December 2
August 26 October 7 November 18
September 9 October 21 November 25
I. Welcome!
Health-care organizations are labor-intensive. To attract, motivate, and retain their employees and achieve the goals of the organization, a sophisticated human-resource system is required. Development of this system is not totally under the control of the administration because of the myriad of government legislation, regulation and court decisions which influence it. In addition, it is important to understand that managing people is more than the function of the personnel office. It is a total managerial approach to managing employees at every level. Finally, well-managed health service organizations also integrate their strategic management with human- resource management.
This course is designed to expose students to the major issues, laws, managerial processes, procedures, and psychological factors which should be considered when developing a management system for health-care organizations in the 21st century. The goal is to build managerial skills as well as knowledge. Much of the material is generic since traditional industry differences have become less important in recent years as health care has become more “business like”. Nevertheless, one of the texts, the additional reading, several of the cases, the consultation project, and most of the class discussion will focus on health-care applications. Please note that this course does not cover strategic-management problems or issues which are covered in HSA 6108.
II. Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
COURSE OBJECTIVE / PROGRAM COMPETENCYUnderstand human resource problems and apply their skills in human resource problem diagnosis, critical thinking, and problem solving. / II.C.1 Familiarity with and ability to apply human resource laws and regulations
Develop creative and effective solutions to various human resource challenges they face as health care administrators and executives / II.A.1 Analyze and evaluate information to support a decision or recommendation
II.A.2 Conduct needs analysis, identify and prioritize requirements
II.A.3 Demonstrate critical thinking and analysis
II.A.4 Identify alternate processes and potential solutions
Enhance their ability to write comprehensive and well written managerial reports / III.A.1 Demonstrate effective written, oral communication, and presentation skills
Improve their ability to effectively communicate orally to classmates, faculty and managerial practitioners / III. A.1 Demonstrate effective written, oral communication, and presentation skills
III. A.2 Provide and receive constructive feedback
III. A.3 Listen and respond effectively to the ideas and thoughts of others
III.B.1 Build collaborative relationships
III.B.2 Demonstrate effective interpersonal relations
Demonstrate their ability to function in a team environment / IV.B.1 Create an organizational climate that encourages teamwork
V.C.2 Support collegial relationships with peers through networking, information sharing, and mentoring
III. Course Prerequisites
Graduate Status
IV. Course Credits
This course is 3 credit hours.
V. Required Texts and Materials
Bruce J. Fried and Myron D. Fottler, Human Resources in Healthcare: Managing for Success 3rd ed., (Chicago: Health Administration Press, 2008) ISBN: 1-56793-299-1
Stella M. Nkomo, Myron D. Fottler, and R. Bruce McAfee, Applications in Human Resources Management Applications: Cases, Exercises, Incidents, and Skill Builders, 7th ed. (Cincinnati: South-Western College Publishing Company, 2011). ISBN: 978-0-538-46807-7
VI. Supplementary (Optional) Texts and Materials
VII. Basis for Final Grade
Assessment / Percent of Final GradeCase Studies Presentation / 15%
Debate / 15%
Discussion Boards / 10%
Midterm Exam Essay / 30%
Human Resources Project & Presentation / 30%
100%
Grading Scale /
Percentage / Letter Grade
90-100 / A
80 - 89 / B
70 - 79 / C
60 - 69 / D
0 - 59 / F
VIII. Assignment Guidelines
Case Studies Presentation:
Each in class session one group will present case studies or exercises from the Nkomo, Fottler, and McAfee. The specific topics are listed on the weekly schedule below. It is expected that each student will be familiar with the case studies to be presented in class.
Evaluation of the presentations will be done by both the instructor and the students. Both will base their evaluations on the quality and clarity of the information presented to the class.
Forms for evaluations of case study evaluations may be found on the Canvas course site.
Debates:
There will be 5 debates on topics listed on page 65 of the Nkomo book. The debate topics are (in order in which they will be presented):
· #7. Immigration
· #4. Employee Diversity
· #5. Telecommuting
· #9. Stock Options and Bonuses
· #2. Employee-at-will or Termination-at-will
Discussion Board Postings
As part of the assignments in the weeks where there is no face to face class, you will be given an assignment that will require you to post your answer in the Discussion Forum under the appropriate heading. If you do not post it in the correct location, or you post after the deadline, you will not receive credit. It is required that you respond to at least two of your peers postings to gain insight from their experiences and opinions; however, it is recommended you do this after you post your own assignment.
Each week you will be assigned a discussion board question pertaining to that week’s reading from the Fried and Fottler text which will be due by Friday at 11:59pm each week. You will then be required to reply to at least (1) of your peer’s postings by 11:59pm on Sunday. Your original positing should provide insight into your knowledge and opinion on the subject, as well as what the prevailing thought is among the experts in the field. Your response to your peer’s postings should not cheerlead, meaning your response should enhance and/or provoke further thought to the original post.
On weeks where the class does NOT meet, you will also be assigned case studies in which you must respond to the questions at the end of each case. These answers must be submitted by 11:59pm on that Sunday.
Midterm
The midterm examination will be completed as an individual 2-week take home examination. It will consist of both exercise questions and cases we have covered in class and on our discussion boards. In addition, each student group will provide the instructor with two possible essay questions which may be included in the midterm exam.
Human Resources Project & Presentation:
Each of the ten student groups will choose one of the following two projects: a Healthcare Human Resources System Evaluation or the Healthcare Human Resources Research Paper. Both will be done in a health care organization, preferably a setting in which at least one of the students is employed. Corporate Documents, Interviews with Corporate Officials, and any other information that is not your own must be cited in APA format in text and on the reference page. Each group must present their project to the class. Students will be graded on professionalism as well as presentation content.
Option #1: Healthcare Human Resources System Evaluation
The objective of this assignment is to allow students an opportunity to learn more about the various technical and non-technical functions of human resources management and how these functions are integrated to address organizational goals and objectives within a real world setting. The outcome of this project is a written profile of the human resources management functions within a specific (and instructor-approved) health services organization or system. This paper will be a group effort; and a group grade will be assigned. A detailed description of this“Profile of Human Resources Department” project is provided on pp.302-308 in the Nkomo, Fottler, and McAfee text. This project will be approximately fifteen (15) pages in length (not including references), space-and-a-half formatting, one inch margins on all four sides, and with page numbers.
Option #2: Healthcare Human Resources Research Paper
The objective of this assignment is to allow the student an opportunity to learn more about one specific human resources challenge within healthcare organizations and provide well researched recommendations. The Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration frequently calls for white papers for their members and the paper for this assignment follows their guidelines. If your paper is evaluated at a high enough level, I will encourage some revisions to submit it for publication in this organization. However, that means achieving an A plus paper! A detailed description of this “Human Resource Research Paper” is provided on the course home page. This project will be 15 pages in length (not including references), space-and-a-half formatting, one inch margins on all four sides, and with page numbers. This paper will address some challenge or issue being faced by the healthcare organization in which you are working. Ask your contact person to suggest (1) or (2) possible challenges/topics, the solution to which would be useful for that organization or the HR department.
Aside from the “Human Resource Research Paper” on the course home page you may format your paper addressing the following: Background, Human Resource Challenge/Problem, and How You Gathered Information for This Paper (sources, interviews, documents, etc.), Findings, and then Recommendations to address the problem
IX. Course Policies: Grades
Late Work Policy:
There are no make-ups for the midterm examination. For each day an assignment is late, a penalty of 10% will be assessed. After 5 days, assignments will not be accepted.
Grades of "Incomplete":
The current university policy concerning incomplete grades will be followed in this course. Incomplete grades are given only in situations where unexpected emergencies prevent a student from completing the course and the remaining work can be completed the next semester. Your instructor is the final authority on whether you qualify for an incomplete. Incomplete work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester or the “I” will automatically be recorded as an “F” on your transcript.
Class Participation
Students are expected to have completed assigned readings prior to class in order to be prepared for class discussion.
While class participation is not a formal criteria in determining the final grade, it may be used in extreme cases where students have not attended classes/and or have failed to participate in their group assignments. Class participation is based upon both the student’s attendance at in class sessions as well as their in class participations during these classes. In addition, at the end of the semester all students will be invited to complete an evaluation of their own and their team member’s contributions to all relative projects. Forms for this evaluation can be found on the Canvas course website. Assuming relatively equal contributions and good attendance, class participation will not count in the final grade. However, in extreme cases (positive or negative) participation and team evaluations will impact the final grade based on the instructor’s judgment.
X. Course Policies: Technology and Media
Email: E-mail will be the primary source of communication in this course. The average response time for e-mails is 24 hours during the work week and 48 on weekends.
Canvas (Webcourses): This course consists of both in class and web-based instruction. Students are expected to have access to the Internet throughout the semester.
XI. Course Policies: Student Expectations
Disability Access:
The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor to request accommodations. Students who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability Services, Student Resource Center Room 132, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116, before requesting accommodations from the professor.
Academic Conduct Policy:
Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. If you are uncertain as to what constitutes academic dishonesty, please consult The Golden Rule, the University of Central Florida's Student Handbook (http://www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/) for further details. As in all University courses, The Golden Rule Rules of Conduct will be applied. Violations of these rules will result in a record of the infraction being placed in your file and receiving a zero on the work in question AT A MINIMUM. At the instructor’s discretion, you may also receive a failing grade for the course. Confirmation of such incidents can also result in expulsion from the University
University Writing Center:
The University Writing Center (UWC) is a free resource for UCF undergraduates and graduates. At the UWC, a trained writing consultant will work individually with you on anything you're writing (in or out of class), at any point in the writing process from brainstorming to editing. Appointments are recommended, but not required. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the UWC website at http://www.uwc.ucf.edu, stop by MOD 608, or call 407.823.2197.
XII. Schedule
Week / Topics / Behavioral Objectives / Reading Assignment / Learning ActivityAug 19- Aug 25
CLASS MEETS / 1. Introduction to HSA 6342
2. Formation of Discussion Groups / 1. Understand all course requirements
2. Understand the contemporary work environment / Nkomo, et.al...
“Preface” (p. xv)
M.D. Fottler, E. Erickson, and P.A. Rivers, “Bringing Human Resources to the Table: Utilization of an HR Balanced Score Card at Mayo Clinic.” Health Care Management Review. 31(1) January-March, 2006, 64-72.
Article Review - “HR pros must speak language of money” Kleiman, C / In class discussion
Introductions
Group Member Selections
Aug 26- Sept 1
CLASS MEETS / 1. Environmental Changes
2. The Human Resource Role
3. Strategic Human Resources Management