The Competency Model of the Masters in Health Administration at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences consists of twenty-two competencies distributed across five domains. It is the result of an extensive consideration of the competency models used by highly-ranked CAHME-Accredited programs and input from our MHA Advisory Board, alumni and faculty.
Domain I – Leadership, Professionalism, and Ethics
(1.1) Demonstrate understanding of ethics and sound professional practice.
(1.2) Assess individual strengths and weaknesses (including the impact that you have on others) and engage in self-reflection to improve emotional intelligence.
(1.3) Articulate how leaders develop a compelling vision that fosters and sustains shared commitment to organizational goals.
(1.4) Lead team activities that demonstrate collaborative group effort and effective group processes, including the ability to hold team members accountable individually and collectively.
Domain 2 – Communications and Relationships
(2.1) Speak and write in a clear, logical, and grammatically correct manner.
(2.2) Establish, build, and sustain professional contacts for the purpose of building networks of people with similar goals and interests.
(2.3) Work effectively and respect the differences in others’ culture, race, gender, age, and experience.
(2.4) Listen effectively and empathetically in order to understand and identify with interests, concerns, and needs of others.
Domain 3 – Management and Strategy
(3.1) Identify the internal and external factors (e.g., business, demographic, cultural, political, and regulatory) that influence decisions and develop strategies that consider these factors to improve decision making for an organization.
(3.2) Demonstrate understanding of best practices in human resource management to enhance individual and organizational performance, sustain workforce development, and motivate staff to achieve organizational objectives.
(3.3) Evaluate the formal and informal decision-making structures and power relationships in an organization, including the ability to identify key decision-makers and the individuals who can influence them.
(3.4) Understand the purpose and functions of healthcare administrative and clinical information systems and evaluate these systems for adoption and implementation.
(3.5) Apply the principles of transformational management and organizational dynamics to a healthcare organization.
Domain 4 – Measurement and Analysis
(4.1) Understand basic healthcare financial management, including budgeting, reporting, forecasting, revenue cycle and current accounts management.
(4.2) Apply healthcare financial management tools to assess and improve an organization’s financial condition, operational performance, and capital planning for long-term financial viability.
(4.3) Evaluate clinical and organizational performance using statistical and operations management techniques and procedures.
(4.4) Apply general and health economic concepts to the analysis of pricing, service demand, and risk.
(4.5) Demonstrate analytical thinking and a logical approach to problem solving.
(4.6) Understand assessment of community health and disease and how to evaluate a healthcare organization’s use of such data in support of its mission.
Domain 5 – Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment
(5.1) Interpret and analyze laws and regulations that impact health practitioners, organizations, and the public.
(5.2) Assess the effect of health policy on providers, payers, and populations.
(5.3) Assess the influence of healthcare organizations (e.g., hospitals, health systems, clinical providers) and other stakeholders on the quality and cost of care.