Management of a ward or unit (responsible nursing professional §71 SGB XI/area management)

• Approximately 1.5 years (part-time)

The head of a ward or unit organizes the workflow within a nursing ward. Their main tasks include coordinating nursing measures as well as operational and personnel management issues. Depending on their field of activity, managers are responsible for coordinating nursing tasks, nursing handovers, and nursing documentation in their area. Managers are responsible for personnel management and development, the practical training of junior staff, and quality assurance, among other things.

Possible tasks and fields of activity (excerpt)

• Personnel management of a ward, residential area, nursing service, or nursing facility
• Selection of employees, assessments, and hiring
• Creation of duty rosters and vacation schedules, work instructions, and work orders
• Coordination of training and continuing education
• Organization of nursing care and quality assurance
• Conducting admission interviews with patients, determining individual care needs
• Care visits
• Developing and implementing care concepts
• Care documentation, monitoring compliance with care standards
• Operational management (e.g., monitoring budgets, preparing annual reports, determining staffing requirements)

• Completed examination in a nursing profession (health and nursing; health and pediatric nursing; nursing specialist; geriatric nursing; curative education) or other health professions.
• At least 2 years of professional experience.

The further training is based on the “Regulation of the Ministry of Social Affairs on further training in nursing professions for the nursing management of a ward or unit” of December 2000 (Further Training Regulation for Ward Management) and is state-recognized. It comprises a total of 576 hours of theoretical instruction with the following content (excerpt):

• Profession and professional self-image (basics of nursing, nursing as a science, quality management, etc.)
• Leadership and management in healthcare facilities (leadership and management, employee management, communication skills, etc.)
• The hospital as a business (business management basics, legal basics, project management, etc.)
• Health and illness in a social context (sociological foundations...)

We place particular emphasis on teaching communication and management skills and on strengthening individual self-confidence as the head of a ward or unit. A continuous process of reflection accompanies the entire training program. During the training program, participants submit written assessments (reports, project work, presentations) in the individual areas. The training program is completed with a thesis and a final oral exam.

The practical training comprises 144 hours. This is completed in several internships and supports participants in becoming familiar with a wide variety of management tasks and functions.

• The improved qualifications and newly acquired specialist knowledge enable participants to act as managers in a team of nursing professionals, guiding them and ensuring that the quality of care provided meets the required standards.
• Further qualifications and studies are also possible, e.g., in healthcare management, psychiatric nursing, or applied nursing science.

COOPERATION WITH THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF FREIBURG 

• The content of the B.A. in Healthcare Management can now be completed as part of continuing education. The program is shortened by two semesters (1 year).

• Upon request