Nova Scotia's health-care sector has faced pressures on a number of fronts for years as demand for services increases in tandem with the province’s aging population.
Continuing care in particular has experienced a staffing crunch at all levels. And as a growing number of leaders and senior staff enter retirement, new health leaders will be needed for this vital sector.
As a result, building capacity for new leadership in the sector over the next five years is “critical,” says Michele Low, executive director for the Nursing Homes of Nova Scotia Association (NHNSA).
That’s why NHNSA has teamed up with the School of Health Administration in Dal’s Faculty of Health to launch of a six-day certificate program, Leadership in Continuing Care Administration. It’s the first certificate of its kind in Nova Scotia.
The program was developed with input from current leaders and experts in continuing care and is aimed at new administrators and senior leaders.
“Health leaders today face tough challenges and leaders in the continuing care sector are no exception” says Tanya Packer, director of the School of Health Administration.
“This intensive, executive-style certificate blends academic rigor with extensive front-line expertise to provide our Nova Scotia continuing care leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to successfully meet those challenges.”
Building knowledge and networks
Continuing care encompasses a range of health-care services provided outside of hospitals, including long-term care facilities (nursing homes and seniors’ residences), home care, and many other residential care services.
The certificate will offer students a chance to expand their professional knowledge and networks, enhance their leadership capabilities and improve their operational acumen for future challenges and opportunities. Detailed learning outcomes for the certificate range from identifying the legal and policy context in which long-term care homes operate to reviewing some of the common human resource issues and public relations needs of such facilities.
Students will also have a chance to meet face-to-face with some of the province’s leading authorities on continuing care, including Kevin McNamara, former Deputy Minister of health for Nova Scotia; Kierstan Amos, legal council at long-term care firm Shannex; and Linda Verlinden, patient resident family advocate at Northwood.
Dal faculty members Scott Comber (Rowe School of Business) and Mike Moore (School of Health Administration) will also share their knowledge and expertise as part of the program.
This fall’s offering begins Nov. 17 and will consist of two, three-day blocks. Registration is open now until Oct. 8. Course fees total $5,600. Learn more about the certificate.