Intro to Managing Healthcare Supply Chain Operations from Coursera

This course is best suited for individuals currently in the healthcare sector, as a provider, payer, or administrator. Individuals pursuing a career change to the healthcare sector may also be interested in this course.

In this course, you will have an opportunity to explore concepts and topics related to the design and management of operations and supply chains in the healthcare sector.

After an introduction to operations and supply chain management, you will examine the different dimensions and principles of quality and reflect on approaches to operational process improvement. Throughout this course, you will be given the opportunity to apply the course concepts to an operational process improvement project.

What's inside

Syllabus

Overview of Healthcare Supply Chain Operations

The Covid-19 pandemic brought about many supply chain challenges including material shortages, labor shortages, and capacity limitations. This highlights the need to understand and effectively manage supply chain operations. In this module we’ll focus on the definition of operations and supply chain management, the continuum of care, and other factors driving healthcare. You’ll explore the key challenges in healthcare supply chains, and examine why healthcare providers need to pay greater attention to these crucial areas of their operations.

Operations Processes

In many healthcare organizations, the design and management of operations processes is not clear. As a result, there are many activities done that do not necessarily add value to the process and ultimately hinder effective care delivery. In this module, the idea of process thinking is emphasized. Process thinking is a way of viewing activities in an organization as a collection of processes and that the outcome is a result of the process. To improve outcomes, you have to address the steps in the process.

Managing Quality

Quality is an important consideration in healthcare by customers or patients, organizations, and government agencies. It has many dimensions depending on who is defining it. For example, a patient’s experience at a hospital’s waiting room will influence their perception of the quality of care received at that facility. At the same time, if they do not get well after treatment, they may perceive the treatment received and the provider as of low quality. In this module, you will examine the concept of quality and quality management in healthcare.

Lean Systems and Quality Control

Building upon the concept of quality as it was explored in the previous module, this module will now define quality in terms of waste management and quality control. Toyota Production Systems originally outlined seven lean wastes that occur in operational processes. Now, you will learn more about Lean principles, controlling waste in the healthcare setting, and how to improvement approaches to managing waste and improving quality within the organization.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Intended for individuals in or seeking to work in the healthcare sector

Offers insights into operations and supply chain management in healthcare

Gilbert Nyaga is a reputable healthcare expert

Examines core concepts in healthcare operations and quality management

Course offers opportunities to apply concepts to real-life improvement projects

Content closely aligns with industry best practices and quality standards in healthcare operations

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Intro to Managing Healthcare Supply Chain Operations with these activities:

Review essential concepts of operations management

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Reviewing this book will provide you with a strong foundation in the core concepts and principles of operations management, which will be essential for your success in this course.

View Melania on Amazon

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Read the first two chapters of the book.
Create a mind map of the key concepts covered in those chapters.
Summarize the main points of each chapter in your own words.

Solve practice problems related to operations and supply chain management

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Solving practice problems will help you develop your problem-solving skills and reinforce the concepts you learn in class.

Browse courses on Operations Management

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
Work through the problems on your own.
Check your answers against the solutions provided.

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Career center

Learners who complete Intro to Managing Healthcare Supply Chain Operations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Healthcare Operations Manager

A Healthcare Operations Manager is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of a healthcare facility, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and manage healthcare supply chains, improve operational processes, and ensure quality in healthcare delivery. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare supply chain management, and provide you with the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and controlling the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and manage healthcare supply chains, improve operational processes, and ensure quality in healthcare delivery. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare supply chain management, and provide you with the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve supply chain operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Process Improvement Manager

Process Improvement Managers are responsible for identifying and implementing process improvements to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to improve operational processes in healthcare. The course will help you understand the principles of process improvement, and provide you with the tools you need to identify and implement process improvements.

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Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Managers are responsible for developing and implementing quality assurance programs to ensure that products and services meet customer requirements. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to manage quality in healthcare delivery. The course will help you understand the principles of quality management, and provide you with the tools you need to develop and implement quality assurance programs.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators are responsible for the overall management of a healthcare facility, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and manage healthcare supply chains, improve operational processes, and ensure quality in healthcare delivery. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare administration, and provide you with the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Healthcare Analyst

Healthcare Analysts collect and analyze data to identify and solve problems in healthcare organizations, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and manage healthcare supply chains, improve operational processes, and ensure quality in healthcare delivery. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare analytics, and provide you with the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Healthcare Data Analyst

Healthcare Data Analysts collect and analyze data to identify and solve problems in healthcare organizations, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and manage healthcare supply chains, improve operational processes, and ensure quality in healthcare delivery. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare data analytics, and provide you with the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Consultants provide advice to healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and manage healthcare supply chains, improve operational processes, and ensure quality in healthcare delivery. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare consulting, and provide you with the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Healthcare Project Manager

Healthcare Project Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing healthcare projects, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and manage healthcare supply chains, improve operational processes, and ensure quality in healthcare delivery. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare project management, and provide you with the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Healthcare Policy Analyst

Healthcare Policy Analysts analyze healthcare policies and make recommendations to improve the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of healthcare services. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and manage healthcare supply chains, improve operational processes, and ensure quality in healthcare delivery. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare policy analysis, and provide you with the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Healthcare Human Resources Manager

Healthcare Human Resources Managers are responsible for planning and managing the human resources operations of healthcare organizations, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course may provide you with some of the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, but it does not cover all of the topics that are typically required for this role. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare human resources, and provide you with some of the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Healthcare Marketing Manager

Healthcare Marketing Managers are responsible for planning and implementing marketing campaigns for healthcare products and services, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course may provide you with some of the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, but it does not cover all of the topics that are typically required for this role. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare marketing, and provide you with some of the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Healthcare Finance Manager

Healthcare Finance Managers are responsible for planning and managing the financial operations of healthcare organizations, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course may provide you with some of the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, but it does not cover all of the topics that are typically required for this role. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare finance, and provide you with some of the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Healthcare Risk Manager

Healthcare Risk Managers identify and manage risks to healthcare organizations, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course may provide you with some of the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, but it does not cover all of the topics that are typically required for this role. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare risk management, and provide you with some of the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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Healthcare Information Systems Manager

Healthcare Information Systems Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing healthcare information systems, including supply chain management, process improvement, and quality control. This course may provide you with some of the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, but it does not cover all of the topics that are typically required for this role. The course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities in healthcare information systems management, and provide you with some of the tools you need to make informed decisions about how to improve healthcare operations.

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