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Course Descriptions

The Autumn 2008 program is no longer accepting applications Next program starts: Autumn 2009 Details will be posted in Spring Program location: UW Campus, Seattle Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>   Download a program overview >> Each course in this program has been officially approved by HCCB for up to 3 continuing education units (CEUs) toward CHC certification or renewal.

Interested in taking a single class? Some courses (designated by a below) may be open on a space-available basis to professionals who are not seeking the certificate. See Single-Course Enrollment for details.

Autumn Course

Principles of Ethics and Corporate Responsibility

In the first course of the program, students study the genesis of ethics and compliance programs in the United States, including the role of the federal sentencing guidelines. Students will explore how the quest for ethical behavior influences society, legislation, and the role of ethical leadership within an organization.

Through case study and class discussion, these concepts will be explored, emphasizing and implementing the ways in which health care compliance and ethics programs apply. We will also adress the various entities driving the ongoing evolution of these concepts. Discussion will include the role of organizational codes of conduct, formal ethics and compliance programs, ethical leadership, and emerging trends. Students will have the opportunity to examine their own personal and business values and consider how these values affect their ethical leadership.

Winter Course

Legal and Regulatory Requirements

In this course, students will explore the legal and regulatory underpinnings that drive health care compliance and ethics programs. Students will gain an overview of the American legal system—reviewing the role of the legislative, judicial, and administrative branches of government that draft laws, regulations, and guidance to health care entities. The next area of focus will be on who regulates health care and what tools are available to regulators— including the False Claims Act, the Federal Anti-Kickback statute, and the Civil Monetary Penalty statute.

From there, we will focus on specific laws and regulations that govern the delivery of health care, including the major components of the Medicare program—state and federal privacy laws, laws regulating the quality of patient care, clinical research, financial interests, and obligations of governing boards. This course will also focus on emerging hot topics in health care law. We will use case studies, interactive discussions, and written and oral assignments that require the effective use of technology to provide hands-on tools for use in the students' organizations. Finally, this course will assist students in using publicly available tools to research the relevant legal standards and assess any potential risks within their organization.

Spring Course

Developing and Implementing Effective Compliance Programs

In this final course, the emphasis is on developing and implementing an effective compliance program. Based on their learnings and experience from prior courses, students will begin by evaluating the current compliance environment in their own, or a case-study, organization. They will develop and conduct a risk assessment and gap analysis to provide the data needed to plan and structure an effective compliance program.

We will discuss the development of policy and procedure related to infrastructure, code of conduct, enforcement, discipline, and employment screening to create or grow compliance programs. The final weeks of the course focus on how the compliance professional effectively manages an active compliance program through continuous risk management, education and outreach, annual self-assessments and measuring effectiveness. Case studies and simulations give students ample opportunity to test their newly obtained skills as they wrap up their certificate program experience.

All fees are subject to change.