Specialist Diploma – Lean Healthcare (Postgraduate)
(On-line / Distance Learning)
Course Overview
The Irish Healthcare system is subject to many challenges as it works to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The application of Lean Thinking has the potential to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the system for both the patient and the healthcare professionals, and by reducing costs and getting the best from resource use.
The University of Limerick in collaboration with the Irish Society for Quality and Safety in Healthcare, The Adelaide, Meath and National Children’s Hospitals at Tallaght and the Bon Secours Hospital Group have come together to develop an innovative, distance education, part-time programme which will allow participants to put Lean thinking into practice in Irish healthcare.
The Lean Health Systems Diploma is a sector specific rollout of the highly successful Specialist Diploma - Lean Systems. Over 50 companies and 200 participants have undertaken the course since it first started in 2006.
The diploma will provide Irish healthcare professionals education and practical application to a Black Belt level in Lean. Participants will learn and apply patient-centred, Lean process thinking to drive improvement with measurable results within their healthcare organisations. A practical project will form a key element of the programme, ensuring the integration of the various concepts in the participants’ workplace.
This project will need to result in significant improvements for participating healthcare units.
This programme forms part of the MSc in Strategic Quality Management Lean Sigma Systems. Those who have completed this programme may continue on to the MSc.
Duration
This programme takes 10 months and is run over two semesters, each 15 weeks, with 10 weeks project write up upon completion of the taught element.
For Whom
Healthcare professionals who have responsibility for quality or continuous improvement within their organisation and those who wish to develop knowledge and skills in the area of Lean Healthcare Systems.
Entry Requirements
Relevant primary degree/recognised professional qualification and 1-3 years relevant industrial experience.
Or
Portfolio of evidence of prior qualifications in quality management together with the application of learning or competence (e.g green/black belt project reports, reflective papers or journals). Two references from appropriate signatories in the candidate’s organisation will be accepted as evidence. Candidates may be required to attend an interview prior to enrolling on the programme.
Programme Structure:
The programme comprises four taught modules and a company based project.
- Lean Thinking/Lean Tools I
- Lean Sigma, Project Management & Finance
- Lean Thinking/Lean Tools 2
- Leadership and Change Management
Brief descriptions of these modules are available here
In Company Project
Programme completion requires a substantial industry based project, reported in the form of management report. The expectation that the project would realise savings of at least €30,000 for the participant organisation. The project will require the application of the concepts covered in the course. The output of the project should involve a significant benefit to the company. The Student, Supervisor and Company will agree the success metric for the project as part of the topic selection process.
Examples of success metrics could include:
- the improvement of a specified performance indicator by an agreed amount.
- the quantifiable addition of value to process or service which was the focus of the project.
- a cost saving of the order of €30,000 which must be verified by the company, or in the case of a Small to Medium Enterprises, (SMEs, <250 employees), project savings must amount to 0.1% of annual turnover.
An example could be a kanban system that could result in cost savings through inventory reduction to the value of €50,000, or an increase in machine efficiency by 5%, or a reduction process cycle time by 10%.
Delivery
Delivery is a hybrid of traditional distance education and online learning together with a number of on-campus tutorials (approx. 3 Saturdays per semester). In addition, there are online discussions moderated by a subject matter expert on elements of each module to reinforce the learning and maximise the benefit of the programme for participants.
Programme Fees
Fees for the programme are €4,950 and include all course materials, text books and exam fees.
Students receive a learning pack containing course notes and relevant text books that have been customised by the collaborating organisations for the Irish health sector, using cases and examples from Ireland and the UK.
Application
Course commences in January and September. Applications open from May and November. Details and online application form are available on the website www.ul.ie/ulearning.
Information
Eithne Connolly at ulearning@ul.ie or 061-213360
Approved Training Programmes and Trainers have been placed on the FÁS/EI National Register of Trainers (registration number is 902816) |
