Course Description

The purpose of the class is to introduce students to the essential role of Human Resources Management (HRM) within healthcare organizations. The degree to which healthcare organizations manage human resources will largely determine the success of the organization. The course serves as a comprehensive foundation for those aspects of human resource planning, development, and administration vital to the human resource manager, line managers and senior leaders. The instructor will cover primary functional areas of HRM including the legal environment, job analysis and design, recruitment/hiring and retention, organizational and employee development, performance management, compensation and benefits, organized labor, diversity and inclusion, employee wellbeing, and quality improvement. Main topics include strategy to ensure business success, current trends, and unique aspects of the healthcare arena.

Through the text readings, instructor notes, articles, videos, tests, written assignments, and discussions the student will focus on the following:

Strategic HRM.

HR plays an active role in aligning HRM practices with the goals, mission, and strategy of the organization. Understand the vision of HR in which the responsibility of managing people is the responsibility of everyone in the organization. Describe strategic methodologies.

Healthcare Professionals.

Understand major healthcare professions. Review unique characteristics of professions, with emphasis on function, education, licensure, changing roles, and future job prospects.

Legal and Ethical Environment.

Understand the enormous body of applicable laws and regulations. Review includes employee rights, discipline and privacy, sexual harassment, discrimination, equal employment opportunity, and protection of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Job Analysis and Job Design.

Understand that job analysis and design form the essential foundation for virtually every other HR function. Job analysis provides the purpose and content of jobs, which allows for the creation of job descriptions and identification of job qualifications. Effective recruitment and equitable compensation depend on a clear understanding of job responsibilities. The instructor will cover analytical tools. Understand various job redesign strategies to improve individual, group, and organizational performance.

Recruitment, Selection, and Retention.

Understand the notion that all related activities must be job-related and legally defensible. Understand the struggle that healthcare organizations face in attracting, hiring, and retaining workers, especially in the post-COVID age. Understand the reasons why employees accept jobs and choose to stay or leave. Understand effective recruitment and selection strategies including social media.

Organizational and Employee Development (OED).

Understand that OED is a characteristic of all successful organizations, yet many do not focus on the link between these initiatives and organizational culture. Describe the link between organizational success and items such as employee engagement, effective onboarding, succession planning, coaching, mentoring, and training and development.

Performance Management.

Understand why performance management and improvement are central features of successful healthcare organizations. Financial rewards often exist for excellent performance. Successful organizations depend on high-performing employees and multi-disciplinary teams. One should seek to improve overall performance by accurately gauging employee performance and team effectiveness, providing feedback and coaching, and designing improvement strategies and evaluating such efforts.

Compensation Practices, Planning, and Challenges.

Comprehend the organizational challenges of balancing internal equity and external competitiveness. Understand physician pay-for-performance models and changes between physicians and organizations, which affect physician compensation.

Employee Benefits.

Gain an understanding of employee benefits including history, current practices and issues, budget implications, and benefit administration. Have regard for mental health, wellness, and fitness programs.

Organized Labor.

Define the role of union organization in the healthcare arena, which continues to evolve. Healthcare and the public sector are two major targets of union organizing. Comprehend applicable legislative and judicial rulings and the role of social media. Know elements of organizing activity, collective bargaining, contract administration, and the implications of COVID on labor relations.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Workplace.

With an increasingly diverse U.S. population, healthcare organizations must understand these concepts to attract and retain diverse employees that reflect the populations they serve. Know the importance of inclusive leadership to shape the culture and implement concrete actions to move toward greater inclusivity.

Applying Quality Improvement and Implementation.

Such concepts are a mainstay of healthcare organizations. Know strategies for effective development, implementation, and measurement of quality initiatives designed to improve efficiency and healthcare outcomes.

Employee Well-Being.

After COVID, organizations had to manage operations amid a scarcity of healthcare workers. Describe effective strategies for dealing with stress and burnout as well as specific concerns for nurses, physicians, healthcare executives, and others.

Textbook & Instructional Materials

Sampson, C. J., & Fried, B. J. (2023). Fundamentals of human resources in

healthcare (3^rd ed.). Gateway to HR Management. ISBN 978-1640553798

Assignments per online D2L module

Tutoring Assistance

Call, email, or text instructor.

Instructor will post class updates and comments via the Course Home and then News section of D2L. See top banner, far left.

Discussions

To receive full credit for the discussions, you must first answer the instructor-posed questions and then respond to at least two (2) other students. Saying “I agree” or “That’s a great point” does not count as a response. The response must be carefully thought out and drawn upon the readings or other appropriate outside sources. One goal of the class is to interact with others within the same timeframe. Therefore, make-up discussion work is not acceptable after the due date. Students must have at least one (1) reference to support their thoughts in the initial post, but they may use the text as a reference. Citations in the initial post, both in-text and in the reference section of the post, must be in APA format. Failure to complete the discussion will result in a zero (0).

Quiz and Final Exam

There will be a quiz and a final exam. Both are online with multiple choice and true/false questions. Each will be timed from the start of the exam/quiz. These are closed book tests. The final exam is cumulative. Please review news items posted by the MSU IT staff on the Lockdown Browser and direct any specific questions to MSU IT. This is accessible through D2L in the assessment section. Students do not need a proctor but will need a computer with a webcam. Exams and quizzes will be taken via Respondus. Dates and more detailed information are in the course schedule, the grading section of the syllabus, and the D2L News section. Students must follow prompts and show their ID, work area, etc. Video will be reviewed.

RespondusLockdown

Failure to take the exam or quiz when assigned will normally result in a zero (0).

Writing Assignments and Projects

Review guidance in the D2L classroom-Read Me First under Table of Contents. There will be two (2) writing assignments/projects which focus on responding to a given scenario and set of instructions. The project may include preparing a PowerPoint presentation. The writing assignment (WA) must have a minimum of two (2) referenced, peer-reviewed articles from an academic journal. This does NOT include textbooks, or commercial or government websites. Students will lose points for each missing peer-reviewed reference. If a student is not sure if a journal is peer-reviewed, go to its homepage, and check the author’s instructions. That will indicate if it is a peer-reviewed journal. If you cannot find the author’s instructions, then it is probably not a peer-reviewed journal. Also, see the Read Me First section in D2L.

The instructor will review each assignment/project, point out its strengths, and offer suggestions for improvements within ten (10) working days of its submission. Each assignment/project is designed to be practical and realistic in nature to assist students in future professional roles.

By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants Midwestern State University (MSU) a limited right in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The limited right shall include, but shall not be limited to, the right to reproduce the student's work product to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes. MSU makes Turnitin available to the instructor for the purpose of verifying the originality of a student’s work.

Assignments will have submission instructions. Students must submit the WA in Microsoft WORD, and it should show as a .doc or a .docx. It is the student’s responsibility to check to see if the file is uploaded properly and in the correct format (doc or .docx). PowerPoint submissions will require the appropriate file name and type. If the instructor cannot open the document, it is the same as if the student did not submit it. If students have difficulty uploading a document, they should contact MSU tech support for help (check your main class page for the help link). Keep instructor advised of problems.

Failure to submit an assignment/project on time will normally result in a zero (0).

For the WA, students must use APA style (see the APA manual or OWL for more explanation and/or the Read Me First section in D2L). This includes double-spacing in Times New Roman 12 Font and an appropriate cover page (name, date, class, etc.) with each page of the paper numbered. An abstract is not necessary. A running header is not necessary. A reference page should be double-spaced with the second line of each entry indented. Both in-text citations and those listed in the reference section must be in APA format. Failure to follow the above format will result in an automatic subtraction of points from the final WA grade.

The instructor will enable Turnitin. Be careful not to use too much quoted or cited material as this may negatively impact the Turnitin score.

Student Work

Good grammar is essential when attempting to communicate via written documents, so grammar issues will result in an automatic deduction depending on how hard it is for the instructor to interpret the meaning.

Instructor Class Policies

Students are expected to always be courteous to other students and to the instructor. Online classes often continue as scheduled in inclement weather. Instructor will advise students if this changes.

Desire-to-Learn (D2L)

Extensive use of the MSU D2L program is a part of this course. Each student is expected to be familiar with this program as it provides a primary source of communication regarding assignments, examination materials, and general course information. Students can log into D2L through the MSU Homepage. If students experience difficulties, please contact the MSU technicians listed for the program. Students should keep the instructor advised of difficulties. Instructor will post class updates and comments via the Course Home and then News section of D2L. See top banner, far left.

Attendance

This is an online class. Regular and timely online classroom discussion is required. Students are expected to consistently participate in class activities. Submission of assignments/projects and completion of online tests/quizzes are required by the due dates. The instructor must give the student a verbal or written warning prior to being dropped from the class. Instructor records will stand as evidence of absences and failure to do the work. A student with excessive absences may be dropped from the class.

Online Computer Requirements

Taking an online class requires the student to have access to a computer (with Internet access) to complete and upload assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to have (or have access to) a working computer in this class. *Assignments and tests/quizzes are due by the due date, and personal computer technical difficulties will not be considered reason for the instructor to allow students extra time to submit assignments, tests/quizzes, or discussion postings. Computers are available on campus in various areas of the buildings as well as the Academic Success Center. *A student’s computer being down is not an excuse for missing a deadline!! There are many places to access your class! Our online classes can be accessed from any computer in the world which is connected to the Internet. If any student has technical difficulties, contact the MSU student helpdesk that is available. College personnel cannot work directly on student computers due to both liability and resource limitations. However, they can help students get connected to MSU online services. Advise your instructor immediately upon having computer trouble. For help, log into D2L.

Extra Credit

There is generally no extra credit in the class.

Late Work

All assignments must be turned in on time, or students will normally receive a grade of zero (0). If an emergency occurs, students must ask for permission to turn in their work late no later than three (3) days prior to the due date of the assignment. Students will be asked to provide reasonable proof of the emergency. Work or personal computer difficulties do not count as emergencies. So, DO NOT WAIT until the last hour to submit work. This is especially important for those who have had prior difficulties uploading documents. Email MSU tech support for help immediately if you have technical difficulties. They are online after normal campus work hours and can help with uploading documents. Keep the instructor updated regarding the problems. If the problem is on MSU’s end and the distance tech support cannot fix it quickly, they will let the instructor know.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.

Pregnant and parenting students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive support and resources from the Student Engagement and Title IX Offices. Support and resources may include early registration, personal financial support, parenting development resources, lactation rooms, and healthcare resources. For more information, visit the  Parenting Students Website or contact the Parenting Liaison Ruby Garret at  ruby.garrett@msutexas.edu or call 940-397-4500.