These inherent requirements apply to the following courses:

  • Graduate Certificate of Health Administration
  • Graduate Diploma of Health Administration
  • Master of Health Administration

Australian Catholic University and the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedicine (SoNMP) strongly supports the right of all people to pursue a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Master of Health Administration.

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit, while preserving the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. The inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge and skills needed to complete the course that must be met by all students.

Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements.

The School is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional practice and other activities to enable students to participate in their course. Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

To support prospective and current students’ decision making, a series of inherent requirements statements have been developed. These statements specify the essential skills, knowledge and abilities required for the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master of Health Administration. Students should use this information to make informed decisions about their chosen course of study. The statements are clustered under nine (9) domains consisting of ethical behaviour, behavioural stability, legal, communication, cognition, reflective skills, relational skills, information and communication technologies and sustainable performance.

The inherent requirements outlined below provide a guide to inform decision making for students and staff.

If you are intending to enrol in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Master of Health Administration course in the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedicine (SoNMP), you should look at these inherent requirements statements and think about whether you may experience challenges in meeting these requirements.

If you think you may experience challenges for any reason including a disability or chronic health condition, you should discuss your concerns with relevant staff, such as the Course Coordinator or Campus Disability Advisor. These staff can work collaboratively with you to determine reasonable adjustments to assist you in meeting the course inherent requirements. In the case where it is determined that inherent requirements cannot be met with reasonable adjustments, University staff can provide guidance regarding other study options.

These inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other course information including course rules and course enrolment guides.

The inherent requirements are made up of the following five components: Level 1 - introduction to the inherent requirement

Level 2 - description of how you demonstrate that you meet the inherent requirement

Level 3 - explanation of why this is an inherent requirement of the course

Level 4 - the nature of any adjustments that may be made to allow you to meet the requirement

Level 5 - examples of tasks you must be able to do to show you have met the requirement (in-class and clinical/professional placement). The exemplars provided are not intended to be an exhaustive list.

Inherent requirement domains

There are nine (9) domains of inherent requirements in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Master of Health Administration. Some domains have a number of sub-domains.

 

Level

Inherent requirement statement

1

Healthcare administration practices are governed by Codes of Conduct and/or Codes of

Ethics specific to each health discipline where the health administrator is a registered health practitioner (http://www.ahpra.gov.au).

2

Student demonstrates knowledge of and engages in ethical behaviour in the academic environment and wherever the student is deemed to represent the University.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

Compliance with standards, codes, guidelines and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and the people they engage with. This ensures the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the individual is not placed at risk.

4

Adjustments must ensure the standards, codes, guidelines and policies are not compromised or result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.

5

Exemplars:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic conduct codes and policies and professional standards.
  • Respecting personal boundaries including confidential information revealed through peer interaction.

 

Level

Inherent requirement statement

1

Behavioural stability is required to function appropriately and effectively in challenging healthcare administration roles.

2

Student demonstrates behavioural stability in working collaboratively, ethically and inclusively in the diverse academic environment.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

Behavioural stability is required to work individually and collaboratively in evolving healthcare environments. Students will be exposed to situations which are challenging and unpredictable and will be required to have the behavioural stability to manage these objectively and professionally.

4

Adjustments must support the demonstration of stable, effective and professional behaviour in academic work and workplace projects. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.

5

Exemplars:

  • Demonstrating responsiveness and respect when responding to critique provided in on-line discussions.
  • Engaging professionally with industry when negotiating work-based projects.

 
 

Level

Inherent requirement statement

1

Healthcare administration practices are governed by a range of legislation, standards, codes, guidelines and policies.

2

Student demonstrates the capacity to comprehend and practice within required legal parameters.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

Knowledge, understanding, and compliance with relevant legislation, standards, codes, guidelines and policies is a requirement for ethical, accountable practice as a health administrator. Compliance with these professional regulations and the Australian Law ensures that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice.

4

Adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.

5

Exemplars:

  • Peer discussions demonstrate respect and compliance with relevant legislative requirements.
  • Industry-based project work is informed by professional standards and complies with relevant legislative requirements.

Verbal

 
 

Level

Inherent requirement statement

1

Effective and efficient verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement for a health administrator in the Australian healthcare context.

2

Student demonstrates an ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately, respectfully and in a timely manner.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

Timely, accurate and effective communication is critical to provision of safe and effective health administration practices.

4

Adjustments must address effectiveness, clarity and verbal accuracy issues. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.

5

Exemplars:

  • Providing an oral presentation/seminar in a class room and/or via an online medium.
  • Participate and engage in class-based and/or online learning activities and discussions.

Written

 
 
 

Level

Inherent requirement statement

1

Effective and efficient written communication, in English, is an essential requirement for a health administrator in the Australian healthcare context.

2

Student demonstrates the capacity to construct coherent written communications appropriate to the circumstances.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

Construction of written assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter for professional practice.

Accurate written communication is essential in professional health administration practice.

4

Adjustments for impaired ability to communicate in writing must address effectiveness, clarity and accuracy issues. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.

5

Exemplars:

  • Constructs and presents a written essay that meets appropriate academic standards.
  • Documents and records information accurately and legibly.

 

Level

Inherent requirement statement

1

The capacity to identify, comprehend and integrate theoretical knowledge into administration practices is an essential skill for a health administrator.

2

Student demonstrates the capacity to access, critique, and integrate relevant theories of healthcare administration.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

High level cognitive functioning is required in health administration practice to identify, comprehend and integrate theoretical knowledge within the contextual nature of complex healthcare environments.

4

Adjustments must support the individual’s capacity to develop and implement high order cognitive capacity. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.

5

Exemplars:

  • Students demonstrate the capacity to critique appropriate knowledge sources and discuss these with peers.
  • Students demonstrate the integration of new knowledge through reflective thinking.

 

Level

Inherent requirement statement

1

Health administrators require self-awareness and capacity for personal reflection in order to contribute towards improving healthcare outcomes.

2

Student demonstrates awareness of own thinking, and skills in reflecting, evaluating, adapting and acquiring an ability to implement new cognitive strategies for improving healthcare outcomes.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

Capacity to engage in self-reflection and gain insights into performance in healthcare administration is required for leading and/or managing staff in the provision of safe and effective health care.

4

Adjustments must support and not compromise opportunities to engage in and apply reflective learning. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.

5

Exemplars:

  • Reviews and reflects on personal responses and cultural paradigms around health care challenges.
  • Develops safe and effective strategies that have the potential to improve patient outcomes.

 

Level

Inherent requirement statement

1

Health administrators are responsible for fostering effective and inclusive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

2

Student demonstrates the capacity to effectively engage with a diverse population, in a manner that supports the development of psychologically safe and productive relationships.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

Health administrators require high level skills in developing and maintaining collaborative and productive inter-personal relationships with a wide variety of key stakeholders. These relationships are crucial to the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare delivery.

4

Adjustments must support the capacity to foster effective and inclusive relationships with others. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.

5

Exemplars:

  • Participates with peers in an inclusive and supportive manner.
  • Interaction in discussion forums demonstrate a respect for diversity and human dignity.

 

Level

Inherent requirement statement

1

Administering health systems requires proficiency in the use of multiple, complex information and communication technologies.

2

Student demonstrates the capacity to navigate a variety of information and communication technologies.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

The ability to proficiently navigate multiple, complex information and communication technologies is critical to ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of healthcare.

4

Adjustments must support the student’s opportunity to learn and demonstrate capacity in using a variety of information and communication technologies. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.

5

Exemplars:

  • Participates in a variety of communication technologies through on-line/multi-modal learning.
  • Demonstrates effectiveness in using a range of information sharing methods.

 

Level

Inherent requirement statement

1

Healthcare administration roles require high level physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level.

2

Student demonstrates consistent and regular engagement in academic learning activities.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

Physical and mental performance is required to provide safe and effective practice as a healthcare administrator.

4

Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.

5

Exemplars:

  • Participates in academic learning activities consistently throughout the duration of a unit of study.
  • Participates in academic learning activities consistently throughout the duration of the course.

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