PROGRAM DETAILS

Students completing the required 60 credits are awarded an Associate of Science degree in Health Services Management.

The HSM degree articulates with a 4-year Bachelor of Health Services Administration degree and qualifies graduates for entry-level management positions in a variety of health-related organizations or for further education at the graduate level.  Healthcare needs talented individuals to fill a growing need for professionals within the system – that of the Health Services Administrator. Most medical and health services managers have at least a bachelor’s degree before entering the field.

Job prospects for medical and Health Service Managers are projected to increase faster than average over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 You should enroll in our Health Services Management program if you are:

• Ready to work for a healthcare organization
• Interested in the business side of healthcare
• Team player that can get along with different personalities

Faculty include industry experts who have proven track records within their field of study. They include graduates of local schools such as Barry University, St. Thomas University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Miami, and Broward College. Faculty in accounting and economics classes prepare you for transfer into a state university to ensure you a seamless transition. Many faculty members are published authors and accounting faculty hold Certified Public Accountant titles.

Faculty-Practicum Instructor
Susan Martin
smartin@broward.edu

There are two certificates built into the Associate degree.

• The Accounting Specialist Technical Certificate is 12 credits.
• The Health Care Services Technical Certificate is 27 credits.

The Associate of Science degree in Health Services Management requires 60 credits to complete and offers a broad overview of business development, management, and administration. A full list of required courses is available in the Broward College Catalog - https://catalog.broward.edu/programs-study/health-services-management-as

Program courses include:

• Written Communications
• Speech/Public speaking
• Introduction to Management
• Principles of Economics
• Principles of Accounting I & II
• Supervision and Organizational Life
• Reimbursement Methodologies
• Accounting & Billing Procedures 
• Computer and Internet Literacy
• Spreadsheet Applications
• Health Care Economics
• Managerial Accounting
• Statistics
• Health Records Law 
• Medical Terminology
• Diseases of the Human Body
• Anatomy & Physiology: Systems of Transport & Support
• Anatomy & Physiology: Body Control Systems
• Directed Practicum

HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM FACT SHEET

PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE
The Associate of Science Program in Health Services Management provides a practicum experience (HSA2810) that allows students to apply their knowledge and provides them with professional experience outside of the classroom that is consistent with their career goals. Scheduling is flexible and individualized in order to meet the needs of both the student and the organization providing the practicum experience. Students should be aware that the practicum experience will require 16 hours per week for a 15-week duration. Ultimately, it is the student's responsibility to arrange his or her schedule with the organization providing the practicum in accordance with the requirements of the program.

PURPOSE
The practicum should be experiential and integrative and allow students to demonstrate and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as management competencies in applied, experiential settings. This practical learning experience is an important component of the curriculum and will require students to draw upon, apply and synthesize knowledge, and skills covered throughout the program of study and are required for all enrolled students.

REQUIRED INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE GOALS
The students shall:

1. Become familiar with the roles and responsibilities associated with the day-to-day work of a health care administrator.
2. Become involved in various activities and administrative projects at the practicum site that achieves the specified goals of the learning contract.
3. Implement, complete, and report on the administrative project(s) as specified in the course syllabus and practicum contract.
4. Enhance understanding and application of health management or health education principles, concepts, and procedures
5. Establish professional contacts within the healthcare community
6. Strengthen oral and written communication skills
7. Strengthen presentation ability
8. Strengthen interpersonal skills 
9. Strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills

THE  STUDENT'S  ROLE  IN SECURING AN INTERNSHIP

Once the HIM1260, HIM2012, and HIM2512 courses are successfully completed, the student is ready to register for the internship. Past experience has demonstrated that the most effective practicum is one selected by the students themselves based on their career interests. The faculty may participate as a facilitator in this process. Students should meet with their Academic Advisors to begin to identify potential preceptors three to six months prior to the start of the practicum. Generally, students may not complete a practicum in their place of employment. Exceptions to this rule may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean, and the following conditions must be met:

• The internship assignment is distinct from their employment responsibilities and will be completed in a department or division distinct from their regular position
• The hours devoted to the internship are distinct from their hours of employment
• There is a qualified Preceptor, other than their immediate supervisor, who can supervise their work

Students are required to complete a background check and drug screening prior to completing a practicum in a healthcare facility. The cost of the background check and screenings is the responsibility of the student.

As a general rule, the preceptor and the student should have a learning agreement no later than two weeks after the start of the semester. The student shall also provide the name, position, site, and overview of the preceptor. This information is to be provided to the faculty by email or hand-delivered. Failure to meet the two-week time frame may delay the completion of the practicum and require the student to receive an incomplete or failing grade for the course. Further, a grade will not be provided if these requirements are not met.

Students should meet with their assigned academic advisor prior to the last academic semester to register for HSA2810 and arrange an appropriate practicum placement for the following term.

COMPLETING THE INTERNSHIP
Securing the practicum is just the first step. Completing the practicum experience, particularly, achieving the goals of the learning contract will be facilitated by the student's focused efforts and involvement.

THE STUDENT'S ROLE
Proactive participation in the assigned internship activities requires the student to be on site for the agreed-upon hours and actively engaged in assigned activities, meetings, and project(s). The student will also complete a satisfactory written journal by the designated deadline. The journal will include practicum duties performed, learning outcomes, and an overview of the experience. A final grade will be given upon successful completion of all documents. All documents should be provided to the office by the last week of the semester to allow enough time for review. All incomplete assignments will receive an "I" or Incomplete and will be required to complete the practicum requirements the following semester.

Program Director
Susan Martin
smartin@broward.edu

Health Science Advisor

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