HCM 700 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric

HCM 700 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric

Overview

The final project for this course is the creation of a comprehensive program proposal.

Over the course of the term, you will immerse yourself in integrating what you have learned in your coursework and practice to create an authentic demonstration of your abilities as a

healthcare administrator by developing a program proposal to address an identified healthcare issue. This artifact will serve as evidence of your professional identity and represent the

knowledge, skills, abilities, and dispositions you can bring to a potential employer.

Evaluation of Capstone

This capstone will be assessed somewhat differently than other courses you have taken online at SNHU. Your final artifact will be evaluated in determining whether you have demonstrated

proficiency in the outcomes listed below. Your instructor will guide you through this process, keeping a running narrative of your strengths and weaknesses in relation to the outcomes as you

progress through the class.

The project is divided into six milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submission. These milestones will be

submitted in Modules Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven. The final comprehensive program proposal will be submitted in Module Nine. Your final submission will be a culmination of the

work you complete for each milestone assignment.

In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

Demonstrate interpersonal skills, effective collaborative practices, and cultural competence through meaningful verbal and written communication in individual and group interactions

Assimilate management principles and functions to foster organizational development, promote effective use of human resources, enhance operations, and position the organization

through application of market analysis

Integrate knowledge of microeconomic, macroeconomic, and financial principles to monitor, analyze, and interpret healthcare financial and economic data for decision making and

strategic planning

Appraise the effectiveness, utilization, and integration of information-management systems within the organization’s microsystems and mesosystems

Translate the knowledge of the U.S. healthcare delivery system, healthcare reimbursement, health policy, governance, and ethical considerations to promote population health and

strategic planning at the organizational level

Propose strategies that foster a dynamic organizational culture that clearly defines its strategic vision, identifies opportunities, and methodically engages in data analysis using

epidemiologic and statistical principals to support strategic planning, operations management, and continuous quality improvement

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Prompt

You will develop a comprehensive, professional proposal that addresses an identified healthcare issue by interpreting the existing literature regarding the issue and developing a proposal

that uses evidence-based resources throughout.

Program Proposal

For your capstone proposal, you should first conduct a preliminary search of literature to help you define a healthcare problem that health-service organizations face. Limit yourself to

evidence-based sources only. Select a specific issue or problem confronting a health-service organization that you can effectively address through your capstone program proposal. Examples

might include financial challenges, implementation/operationalization of new legislation (such as the No Surprises Act), patient safety and quality, improving internal cybersecurity, or

improving the organizational culture. You will identify a target audience or governing body, such as the CEO or board of directors, who would review and approve implementation of your

proposal. You will also identify who will be affected by implementation.

You must include, but are not limited to including, the following sections in your program proposal. If certain elements of your program are important but not covered below, you should also

include them in your proposal.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

I. Introduction This should include a brief statement of the issue/problem, purpose of program, and its impact. Identify the issue to be addressed and include an accurate and detailed

overview of the issue, including a discussion of the effect of your identified issue on your health-service organization and any affected population. You may consider negative patient

outcomes, financial implications, cultural implications, etc. In general, include all information necessary to establish a comprehensive analysis and foundation for understanding your

chosen issue and proposed program. This section should also describe the target audience to whom you would present your proposal for implementation (such as healthcare

executives, administrators, and board of directors) in relation to this proposal and explain why your proposal would be relevant for this audience. For example, how might your proposal

help hospital administrators make effective and ethical decisions surrounding patient safety and quality, culture, finance, etc.?

II. Proposal Needs Assessment Develop a statement of need that allows the reader to learn more about your selected issue, presents evidence that supports the need for your proposal,

and demonstrates that your organization understands the need and can address the issue. If the issue involves a specific affected population(s), such as employees or patients, be sure

to identify that population’s specific needs. Refer to the Module Two resources to discuss specific management theories that will be useful for solving the issue.

III. Resource Allocation Provide an in-depth description of the resources required to implement your program, such as qualified staff, information-management systems, other technology

and equipment, and financial resources, among others. Also describe your plan for accessing and assigning available resources in the most economical way to achieve your program’s

future goals. In other words, how will you schedule activities and acquire the resources required for those activities while considering both resource availability and the project

timeline?

IV. Planning Provide a comprehensive program plan that includes its objectives (i.e., measurable improvements in behavior, performance, process, or a tangible item that will result from

your program); ethical and legal considerations, including a review of the four ethical principles, ensuring appropriate legal and social responsibility of your proposal; financial

considerations and their anticipated effect on internal policy and operations; anticipated issue- related outcomes and your plan to address them; and a timeline for meeting program

objectives.

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V. Implementation Provide a detailed description of the activities leading to achieving the objectives identified, including your rationale behind their selection, their sequence, and your

reasoning behind why these methods may work.

VI. Evaluation Methodologies

Provide a comprehensive description of how your organization (and potential funders) will know the program is successful. Items to consider include methods for measuring success,

who will be performing the evaluation, which two methods will be used (you must include one type of financial evaluation). You should also include your plan for gathering data,

including the identification of the sources from where the data will be acquired (CMS, quality data, leapfrog, turnover rates, etc.), analyzing data, using evaluation for program

improvements, and producing any specific evaluation reports.

Your program proposal should be submitted in a professional format. The final product is suggested to be in the range of 15 to 20 pages; however, design and proper professional

presentation are more important than page count because in the real world, there are usually not any page-length requirements. Therefore, the 15- to 20-page range is a suggestion, and you

should use your best professional judgment regarding the length of your proposal.

Milestone

Milestones One: Introduction

In Module Two, you will submit a draft of your introduction (Section I). Milestone One will encompass the introduction. You should first conduct a preliminary search of literature to help you

define a healthcare problem health-service organizations face. Select a specific issue or problem confronting a health-service organization that you can effectively address through your

capstone program proposal. Examples might include financial challenges, implementation/operationalization of new legislation (such as the No Surprises Act), patient safety and quality,

improving internal cybersecurity, or improving the organizational culture. You will identify a target audience or a governing body, such as the CEO or board of directors who would review

and approve implementation of your proposal, and you will also identify who will be affected by implementation. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.

Milestone Two: Needs Assessment

In Module Three, you will submit a draft of your proposal needs assessment (Section II). You should include a statement of need that allows the reader to learn more about your selected

issue, presents evidence that supports the need for your program, and demonstrates that your organization understands the need and can address the issue. If the issue involves a specific

affected population, be sure to identify that population’s specific needs. Using what you learned about management theories in Module Two, discuss specific management theories that

guided your identification of the issue. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.

Milestone Three: Resource Allocation

In Module Four, you will submit a draft of your resource allocation (Section III). Provide an in-depth description of the resources required to implement your program, such as qualified staff,

information-management systems, other technology and equipment, and financial resources. Also explain your plan for accessing and assigning available resources in the most economical

way to achieve your program’s future goals. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Three Rubric.

Milestone Four: Planning

In Module Five, you will submit a draft of your planning (Section IV). Provide a comprehensive program plan that includes its objectives (i.e., measurable improvements in behavior,

performance, process, or a tangible item that will result from your program); ethical and legal considerations, including a review of the four ethical principles, ensuring appropriate legal and

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social responsibility of your proposal; financial considerations and their anticipated effect on internal policy and operations; anticipated issue-related outcomes and your plan to address

them; and a timeline for meeting program objectives. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Four Rubric.

Milestone Five: Implementation

In Module Six, you will submit a draft of your implementation (Section V). Give a detailed description of the activities leading to achieving the objectives, including your rationale behind their

selection, their sequence, and your reasoning behind why these methods may work. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Five Rubric.

Milestone Six: Evaluation Methodologies

In Module Seven, you will submit a draft of your evaluation methodologies (Section VI). Provide a comprehensive description of how your organization (and potential funders) will know the

program is successful. Items to consider include methods for measuring success, who will perform the evaluation, and how the methods will be selected. You should also include your plan for

gathering data, using test instruments, analyzing data, using evaluation for program improvements, and any specific evaluation reports that should be produced. This milestone will be

graded with the Milestone Six Rubric.

Capstone Final Submission: Comprehensive Program Proposal

In Module Nine, you will submit your comprehensive program proposal. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect

the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.

This rubric will be applied to all components as a whole, and no component will be assessed on its own. The “Possible Indicators of Success” are examples for you and the instructor of the

types of concepts for demonstrating proficiency. They are neither exhaustive nor proscriptive and should be used as guides for illustrating how your capstone embodies the outcome. All

outcomes are weighted equally.

You may include illustrations, photographs, graphs and charts, and other nontextual materials, as needed, to support the underpinning thesis (though all should be placed in an appendix or

appendices if used).

What to Submit

Your comprehensive program proposal should be 12 to 15 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and written in APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman

font, and one-inch margins.

Final Project Rubric

Course Outcome Progress Toward Meeting the Outcome Value

Demonstrate interpersonal skills, effective collaborative practices, and cultural

competence through meaningful verbal and written communication in individual and

group interactions

Proficient (100%) Not Proficient (0%) 17

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Course Outcome Progress Toward Meeting the Outcome Value

Assimilate principles and functions of management to foster organizational

development, promote effective use of human resources, enhance operations, and

position the organization through application of market analysis

Proficient (100%) Not Proficient (0%) 17

Integrate knowledge of microeconomic, macroeconomic, and financial principles to

monitor, analyze, and interpret healthcare financial and economic data for decision

making and strategic planning

Proficient (100%) Not Proficient (0%) 17

Appraise the effectiveness, utilization, and integration of information-management

systems within the microsystems and mesosystems of the organization

Proficient (100%) Not Proficient (0%) 16

Translate the knowledge of U.S. healthcare delivery system, healthcare reimbursement,

health policy, governance, and ethical considerations to promote population health and

strategic planning at the organizational level

Proficient (100%) Not Proficient (0%) 17

Propose strategies that foster a dynamic organizational culture that clearly defines its

strategic vision, identifies opportunities, and methodically engages in data analysis using

epidemiologic and statistical principals to support strategic planning, operations

management, and continuous quality improvement

Proficient (100%) Not Proficient (0%) 16

Total: 100%

Possible Indicators of Success

I. Demonstrate interpersonal skills, effective collaborative practices, and cultural competence through meaningful verbal and written communication in individual and group interactions

Does the student demonstrate the ability to assess the needs, benefits, and barriers encountered in diverse populations?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and meaningfully with the target audience?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to use evidenced-based strategies for the purpose of successfully completing projects and solutions relevant to the healthcare

administration issue being investigated?

Does the student demonstrate a professional identity through reflective, concise, and accurate responses in the professional reflection?

II. Assimilate principles and functions of management to foster organizational development, promote effective use of human resources, enhance operations, and position the organization

through application of market analysis

Does the student demonstrate the ability to harness the appropriate management theories in identifying a need or issue? Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to

design program proposals that address healthcare administration issues or needs that, at the same time, are adaptable to the evolving nature of the American healthcare

landscape?

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Does the student demonstrate the ability to apply management methods, models, and technologies in innovative and unique manners to enhance operations or meet community

needs?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to implement management tools and techniques that deliver long-term benefits despite a rapidly changing healthcare environment?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to leverage applicable marketing theories and techniques that may enable communities or organizations to enhance processes and

systems? Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to use marketing concepts and theories in proposing solutions relative to how the identified issue or need may be

addressed?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to use the appropriate metrics, theories, and models that enable organizations to maximize the use of human and other resources? Does

student demonstrate the ability to design appropriate interventions that address identified needs and issues while reflecting sensitivity and consideration to various

organizational or community stakeholders?

III. Integrate knowledge of microeconomic, macroeconomic, and financial principles to monitor, analyze, and interpret healthcare financial and economic data for decision making and

strategic planning

Does the student demonstrate the ability to apply microeconomic, macroeconomic, and financial principles in exposing new areas and possibilities for administrative interventions

relative to the issue or need that has been identified? Does the student demonstrate the ability to research and analyze relevant financial and economic data that provides depth

and supports the analysis?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to analyze data within macroeconomic, microeconomic, and financial contexts and uses within the area of healthcare

administration? Does the student demonstrate the ability to align results of data analyses with appropriate organizational strategy and decision making?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to align recommended interventions with the existing mission, vision, core values, and strategies of organizations? Does the student

demonstrate the ability to effectively articulate recommended interventions according to microeconomic, macroeconomic, and financial principles?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to apply the strategic planning process that reflects the healthcare financial and economic data collected? Does the student

demonstrate the ability to establish evaluation procedures that would inform decision making and guide strategic planning?

IV. Appraise the effectiveness, utilization, and integration of information-management systems within the microsystems and mesosystems of the organization

Does the student demonstrate the ability to apply current information-management systems for making recommendations pertinent to the identified need or issue?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to integrate information-management systems that may potentially facilitate the attainment of positive long-term outcomes?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to recommend and integrate an information system that is aligned with the existing strategies of an organization? Does the capstone

demonstrate the ability of the student to understand the purpose, value, and advantages and disadvantages of specific types of information systems?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to plan for possible future information system needs of organizations?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to assess possible barriers to implementation of information systems and how these may be addressed?

V. Translate the knowledge of U.S. healthcare delivery system, healthcare reimbursement, health policy, governance, and ethical considerations to promote population health and strategic

planning at the organizational level

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Does the student demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply data using statistical methods for addressing population health issues? Does the student demonstrate the ability

critically analyze strengths and weaknesses in existing policies relevant to the issue being investigated?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to apply effective governance models that will enhance strategic planning and population health? Does the student demonstrate

theability to improve healthcare reimbursement and its processes and challenges?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to develop strategic plans pertinent to healthcare reimbursement, health policy, and governance so that they may be conducted in an

ethical manner? Does the student demonstrate understanding of ethicalissues that may arise in relation to healthcare reimbursement, health policy, and governance?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to use theoretical frameworks for practical applications of healthcare reimbursement, health policy, governance, and ethical principles to

promote population health and strategic planning at the organizational level? Does the student demonstrate the ability to apply research skills for structuring a theoretical or

conceptual framework that is relevant to effective strategic planning at the organizational level?

VI. Propose strategies that foster a dynamic organizational culture that clearly defines its strategic vision, identifies opportunities, and methodically engages in data analysis using

epidemiologic and statistical principals to support strategic planning, operations management, and continuous quality improvement

Does the student demonstrate the ability to discern shared values and beliefs of organizations that may contribute to understanding the emergent issue or need? Does the

student demonstrate the ability to connect organizational culture with strategic planning?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to provide recommendations pertaining to improvements of organizational culture that will lead to enhanced performance and

continuous quality improvement?

Does the student demonstrate the ability to determine the measurability of success in programs? Does the student demonstrate engagement with the appropriate research

methodologies that will lead to the determination of successful resolutions for identified issues?

Does the student demonstrate understanding of relevant epidemiologic and statistical principles that facilitate data analysis? Does the student demonstrate the ability to

interpret data from primary and secondary sources?

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