Building partnerships between HCA undergraduate program, HCA students and health service organizations to create successful career placement opportunities

The future of health care administration is vast and preparing students to be marketable has posed a challenge in an undergraduate degree program at NSU Tahlequah, Oklahoma due to the abundance of areas requiring specific training for specific jobs in health service organizations. The NSU health care administration degree program has set goals for the near future that include establishing an accredited program that a variety of public health settings are interested in establishing working relationships and creating a masters program in health care administration. Developing measurable outcomes in the HCA undergraduate programs and guiding students toward the right career path will be discussed during this presentation. Outcome benchmarks have been established to (1) provide the HCA students with a foundation in business and health care administration (2) guide students in creating portfolios assessed by HCA advisory committee; (3) build professional development skills to prepare students for the job market: and (4) create opportunities for placement as they begin their career upon graduation. Best practices established for professional development include (1) code of conduct commitment; (2) planning for productive practicum (internship) experience; (3) identifying career path through specific software for to HCA majors/minors; and (4) future professional development through undergraduate research and participation in health care organizations