Lean Healthcare

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ULearning Skillnet
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.
Course Fee 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.

Subjects Taught 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

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%.

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment 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.

Enrolment takes place in September.

Financial Support This course has been approved by ULearning Skillnet for a fees subsidy of up to 25% for students whose company is a member of the ULearning Skillnet network.

There are also a limited number of free places available for unemployed students who meet the required criteria by ULearning Skillnet.

Please note there are only a limited number of subsidies available for both employed and unemployed students.

Jobseekers please be advised that the Department of Social Protection (DSP) has no mandate to extend welfare support to clients undertaking NFQ Level 9 Programmes. Such programmes cannot be approved by DSP, and on that basis are designated SKN-E. Notwithstanding the above, we may offer a NFQ L.9 place to a welfare recipient. This is conditional on our network informing the individual, during the recruitment & selection phase, that the:

Welfare payment must be relinquished should he/she wish to pursue the programme

Trainee must inform the Social Welfare Local Office (SWLO), prior to commencement, about his/her intention to undertake an SKN-E programme, so that the Office can take the necessary steps to review/withdraw payment

Unfortunately, Skillnets cannot seek exceptional approval from DSP for any jobseekers that wish to accept a place on one of the ULearning Skillnet Level 9 courses.

Course Content 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 roll-out 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.

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.

Further Enquiries ULearning Skillnet:
Phone: 086 0214825
Email: info@ulearning.ie
Trainer University of Limerick
Location of Course University of Limerick
Course Web Page: 
http://www.ul.ie/ulearning/ulearning_courses/diploma_in_lean_healthcare_systems.htm
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
Yes