Leadership & Management 1 Role, Competencies and Context

This 9-week online course focuses on development of a foundational knowledge base in leadership & management. It is designed to meet the needs of those starting careers in or aspiring towards leadership positions in health care. Content will specifically address leader/manager competencies required for effective leadership & management of clinical teams.  The context within which the leader/manager functions may include acute care, community, primary health care, and/or long-term care; the leader/manager’s clients may include frontline health care professionals, unregulated professionals and support staff, and patients and their families. Participants will explore a wide variety of situations and common issues encountered in these roles.

The course includes:

  • Exploration of leadership and management standards and competencies
  • Opportunity to reflect on one’s own personal development as a leader/manager
  • Exploration of organizational behaviours and the mid-level leader/manager’s role within this context
  • Application of evidence-informed strategies to effectively lead/manage the clinical team environment & day to day operations

Certificate Criteria

This is the first of three online courses. It has been approved as one component / micro-credential of the Certificate in Leadership & Management for participants successfully completing all three courses within a three-year period. A passing grade of 70% is set for each course. Courses offered by the Centre for Professional Development cannot be credited towards a degree program.

  • Participants may take individual courses without completing the full certificate
  • Courses may be taken in any order

Each course in this Certificate program is approved as a micro-credential with eCampus Ontario. 

Link to Ontario Micro-credentials portal https://microlearnontario.ca/

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

  • Articulate Manager/Leader roles in healthcare organizations, specifically in relation to the Canadian College of Health Leaders LEADS Caring Environment framework capabilities/competencies and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership Nurse Manager Competencies.
  • Compare and contrast current theories and perspectives on leadership and management.
  • Reflect upon and plan one’s own personal development needs as a manager/leader.
  • Articulate organizational behaviours that influence and direct the manager/leader’s role.
  • Develop a strategic plan for a direct care team goal.
  • Discuss evidence-informed strategies to effectively manage/lead the direct care team’s environment & culture.

Contact Hours: This course is equivalent to 36 instructional/contact hours per course, plus additional study time. It is estimated that up to 8 hours of engagement per week is required for successful completion. 

Registration Now Open

Registration closes September 22nd, 2025

Bloomberg Centre for Professional Development’s Strategic Alliance with the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL).

The Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) and the Bloomberg Centre for Professional Development (CPD) have a Strategic Alliance partnership.  The alliance allows Bloomberg CPD to use the LEADS in a Caring Environment Framework & Leadership Self-Assessment, throughout the Leadership & Management and Clinical Leadership in Long-Term Care certificate programs.

The alliance also provides certificate participants with the opportunity to become a member of CCHL at the reduced College student rate, and to receive advanced standing (reduced cost & requirements, 7 post CHE completion credits, and exemption from experience requirements) when applying to become a Certified Health Executive (CHE) through CCHL.

See FAQ’s for more details on:

Course Outline

This course is a 9-week course delivered through the University of Toronto’s learning management system (Quercus).  It is primarily self-paced; however, participants are required to engage in discussions and submit activities/assignments within identified timelines (usually weekly). The emphasis of learning activities and assignments is on the notion of application of theory to practice and critical reflection. Please note for this course the week runs from the Monday to the Sunday evening following.

On a weekly basis, participants are expected to:

  • View an e-learning module.
  • Read required readings.
  • Actively engage with the course material by participating in learning activities.

For this course, the learning activities / assignments are:

  • Five (5) online discussion board activities.
  • Two (2) short written papers.
  • Two (2) LIVE (via Zoom) sessions will take place for Course Instructors & participants to engage in a group discussion (an alternative option is also available for those unable to attend).
TimeDescriptionEvaluative Components
Section 1: Role Development & Theoretical Underpinnings

Week 1

Exploration of the Manager/Leader’s Role

  • Who are Managers/Leaders in Healthcare?
  • Role Function, Span of Control
  • Competencies, Frameworks, Standards & Profiles

Discussion Board Post

Week 2

Review of Relevant Leadership & Management Theories/Concepts Related to the Manager/Leader’s Role

  • Theories & views on Leadership & Management
  • Foundational Thinking Skills: Decision Making & Problem Solving, Critical Thinking.

Discussion Board Post

Week 3

Personal Development as a Manager/ Leader

  • Personal Leadership Style
  • Personal & Professional Accountability
  • Reflective Practice
  • Role Transition; Support & Development for Manager/Leaders

Assignment #1

Section 2: Strategic Organizational Influences on the Manager/ Leader’s Role

Week 4

Understanding the Big Picture of Organizational Influences on the Manager/ Leader’s Role

  • Organizational Behaviour, Structures & Context
  • Managing from the Middle; Managing Up & Using Influence

Week 5

Organizational Frameworks & the Manager / Leader’s Role

  • Accreditation
  • Healthy Work Environments
  • Retention Toolkit
  • Joy in Work Framework

LIVE Group Discussion (Alternative Submission)

Section 3: Manager/ Leader’s Role in Fostering and Sustaining Joy in Work

Week 6

Physical & Psychological Safety; and Choice & Autonomy

  • Topics include: Equity, Cultural Humility/Competence; Just Culture; Workplace Heath/Safety & Well-being; Managing Conflict & Incivility; Supporting Choice and Flexibility in Work.

Discussion Board Post

Week 7

Meaning & Purpose; and Wellness & Resilience

  • Topics include: Connecting to a Call to Practice; Strategic Planning at the Local Level; Patient Care Philosophy; Model of Care; Professionalism; Self-care; Work Life Balance; Trauma & resiliency.

Assignment #2

Week 8

Participative Management; Real-Time Measurement; and Daily Improvement

  • Topics include: Decision Making & Shared Governance; Clinical Accountability; Managing & Planning Day to Day Operations and Event/Crisis Situations; Facilitating Debriefs and Workplace Investigations; Implementing Improvement Science.

LIVE Group Discussion (Alternative Submission)

Week 9

Camaraderie & Teamwork; and Recognition & Rewards

  • Topics include: Social Cohesion; Productive Teams; Recognition of the Value of Staff Contribution; Caring.

Discussion Board Post

Final Evaluation

Course Director

Profile of Leasa Knechtel

Leasa Knechtel

Executive Director, Centre for Professional Development
Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream

Course Instructors

Donna Romano

Manager, Mission & Values, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto

Candace Cho

Candace Cho RN, BN, MN, ENC(C)

Janice Stewart

RN, BScN, MHSc

Registration Information

Fees

$1087 + HST
$1208 + HST
$1026 + HST
$1026 + HST

Site Groups

A group discount rate of 15% is available for site groups of three or more people. To book please contact pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.

Available Courses

Leadership & Management 2: Human & Business Resource Management

This 9-week online course focuses on the practical application of theory and evidence for effectively leading and/or managing clinical teams’ human resources and business operations. It is designed to meet […]

Leadership & Management 3: Managing Business

This 6-week online course focuses on the practical application of theory and evidence for leading/managing effective and efficient clinical teams.  Content will specifically address fiscal and operational needs of high […]

Please Note

  • Refund Policy – To withdraw from the course and receive a refund, your written request must be emailed to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca by August 22, 2025. No refunds will be given after this date. All refunds are subject to an administration fee of $100 + tax. As an alternative, a colleague may attend in your place. Please send your substitution request at least 7 days before the course.
  • Registration deadline: September 22, 2025
  • *U of T Nursing Alumni discount is available to BScN, MN, PMNP Diploma, MScN or PhD graduates of the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
  • **U of T Nursing Faculty discount is available to individuals with a faculty position, adjunct or status appointment, or are a Clinical Instructor (current academic year only) at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
  • Applicable taxes (13% HST) will be added to the registration fees.
  • Course Cancellation Policy – The University reserves the right to cancel courses due to unavailability of instructors, facilities or insufficient enrolment. Decisions on course cancellations are made at least 15 calendar days prior to the course starting date, so early registration is recommended. If you enroll in a course that is subsequently cancelled, you may transfer to another section of that course if an alternative is available; or you may receive a full refund. We are not responsible for travel fees or any expenses incurred by you.

Contact Us

Centre for Professional Development
Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
University of Toronto
155 College Street, Suite 130
Toronto, ON, Canada
M5T 1P8