What Is a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Healthcare Operational Excellence (HOPEX)?

Do you have a passion for project management? Are you interested in utilizing the latest methodologies to improve your organization? Do you want to break into the healthcare industry but don’t know where to start? If so, a Master’s in Healthcare Operational Excellence (HOPEX) may be perfect for you!

You may be unsure of what HOPEX is—and how it can lead to a high-paying career in health care. Studies show that improved operational efficiency could reduce health care spending in the U.S. by 16%. The HOPEX degree prepares you to improve operational processes and patient outcomes while also eliminating organizational waste. Best of all, at the University of Cincinnati, you can earn this degree 100% online from the comfort of your own home.

Key Takeaways

• • The University of Cincinnati’s online MS in Pharmacy Science: Healthcare Operational Excellence (HOPEX) is geared toward students with an interest in healthcare efficiency.
  • Lean Six Sigma methodologies and the Pharmacy 5.0 framework prepare graduates to take on various challenges in healthcare administration.
  • HOPEX is a versatile program with excellent job prospects, particularly in healthcare management and consulting.

What is an MS of Pharmacy Science in Healthcare Operational Excellence (HOPEX) Degree?

The MS of Pharmacy Science in Healthcare Operational Excellence (HOPEX) is an online graduate program offered at the University of Cincinnati. HOPEX equips you with the skills necessary to make healthcare operations more efficient. From coursework in operational sciences to Lean Six Sigma (an improvement methodology that is making waves in numerous industries), a degree in healthcare operational excellence allows you to make a difference in patient care.

Other major focuses of the HOPEX program are strategic planning, analyzing data, and managing regulatory and compliance requirements. Armed with a HOPEX degree, graduates are sure to spearhead major improvements through their operational expertise and their leadership skills. Graduates of the HOPEX program go on to be visionaries and leaders in a variety of organizations.

What Does the Program Cover?

According to the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, the Pharmacy 5.0 framework is “a patient-centric pharmacy care system supported by interprofessional teams.” It is revolutionizing how healthcare professionals use analytics, automation, pharmacogenomics, and other advanced digital technologies to improve patient care (AMJP Volume 81, number 5). The Pharmacy 5.0 framework is at the heart of HOPEX.

Let’s take a look at all this program has to offer.

HOPEX Courses and Curriculum

Through the HOPEX program, you’ll immerse yourself in topics including pharmacy, nursing, public health, business, and more. Core classes in biostatics, research ethics, and pharmacoeconomics act as your foundation, while a wide array of electives provides the opportunity to dig deeper and specialize. The multi-faceted curriculum ensures that you’ll graduate with a deep understanding of:

• Healthcare organizations
• What makes them operate effectively
• Tools for process and performance improvement

Another key component of HOPEX is Lean Six Sigma. Students learn this methodology that integrates Lean principles (focused on waste elimination) with Six Sigma techniques (focused on variation and defect reduction). The overall goal of Lean Six Sigma is to improve customer satisfaction, making it transformative for patient care. Certifications in LSS range from “white belt” to “master black belt” and allow you to demonstrate your mastery of these concepts.

The master’s degree requires 30 credits and is typically completed in five semesters or 2.5 years. The program accommodates flexible part-time enrollment, ensuring that you can balance school, work, and your personal life with ease. Whether you’re interested in machine learning or pharmacy economics, HOPEX will grant you a competitive edge in the current job market.

Who Is a HOPEX Master’s Degree For?

Unlike many graduate degree programs, HOPEX does not require that your bachelor’s degree be in the health sciences. In fact, if you previously worked in another field, such as business or engineering, then HOPEX may help you embark on a new career in healthcare! For full admissions requirements, visit the HOPEX webpage.

Ultimately, the cutting-edge HOPEX curriculum is perfect for anyone who is excited by quality improvement. Perhaps you have years of healthcare experience and first-hand knowledge of what makes organizations operate smoothly. Or maybe you’re coming from a completely different industry, but you have a passion for problem-solving and project management. Either way, the HOPEX degree allows you to foster these skills and leverage them into your dream career in healthcare.

What Can You Do with a Master’s in Healthcare Operational Excellence?

Depending on your prior experience and individual goals, a master’s in healthcare operational excellence opens the door for endless career opportunities. HOPEX graduates will be especially successful in roles that utilize their management skills and understanding of operational efficiency.

Potential careers with a HOPEX degree include:

• Healthcare Operations Manager
• Quality Improvement Specialist
• Healthcare Consultant
• Director of Operations
• Healthcare Project Manager
• Healthcare Executive
• Process Improvement Specialist
• Healthcare Analytics Manager

How Can UC Help Your Pharmaceutical Journey?

If you have a passion for fixing healthcare from the inside, then consider earning your master’s in healthcare operational excellence. HOPEX will invigorate your current skill set so that you can make a huge impact—on pharmaceutical operations and on patients’ lives. Today is the perfect day to complete your application!

Still not sure if a master’s in HOPEX is right for you? Your personalized Enrollment Advisor can provide more information and answer all of your questions. From application to graduation, UC’s online staff is here to support you

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is operational excellence in pharmacy?

Operational excellence in pharmacy refers to optimizing speed without sacrificing the quality of treatments or medicines. This might be accomplished through increased automation, advanced technologies, and/or more efficient data management.

What is healthcare operational excellence?

Healthcare operational excellence is a commitment to improving patient care. It’s concerned with the operational processes that support a healthcare organization and how to make those processes more efficient.

What is a good example of operational excellence?

One example would be utilizing data analytics software to improve patient flow in a hospital. By streamlining triage and admission to make it more efficient, the hospital can serve a higher volume of patients.