5 credits

In this course, students address the role of human resources in healthcare organizations as well as the recruitment, retention, management, and development of these resources. Students gain an understanding of the key roles of human resource personnel in establishing goals and expectations regarding organizational performance as well as how individuals contribute to effective performance in terms of controlling costs, improving quality, and providing excellent customer service. They explore major federal and state legislation that influences human resources, key management functions within workforce planning and recruitment, and functions within workforce retention. Students devote specific attention to the administrative, operational, and strategic aspects of managing human resources, focusing on managing clinical and direct-care practitioners whose perspectives and expectations differ from those of management. Other topics that students explore and discuss include employment and contract labor law; compensation strategies, including benefits and pay for performance; staffing models; labor relations; performance management; workforce retention; and strategies for ensuring employee engagement, motivation, and satisfaction.