Your Guide to Subject Choices for QQI Level 6 Health Services Supervisory Management Skills (6M4978)
The QQI Level 6 Major Award in Health Services Supervisory Management Skills is designed to prepare learners for leadership roles across health services. This qualification suits those seeking to upskill into supervisory roles (e.g. Team Leader, Supervisor, Manager) or progress to further education.
To achieve the full award, learners must accumulate 120 credits across specific subject areas. Forus Training offers a comprehensive selection of modules that align with this requirement.
✅ Mandatory Modules (30 Credits)
These two subjects are compulsory and provide the foundational skills in managing people and resolving conflict in healthcare settings:
- Conflict Management (6N2775) – 15 credits
Conflict management is studied by healthcare supervisors and managers because conflict is inevitable in high-pressure environments where diverse professionals must work closely together, often under stressful conditions. In healthcare, unresolved conflict can negatively affect team dynamics, communication, staff morale, and ultimately patient care. By studying conflict management, supervisors and managers learn how to identify sources of conflict early, address issues constructively, and implement strategies to de-escalate tension and promote resolution. Effective conflict management also helps foster a culture of respect, accountability, and open communication, which is essential for a healthy work environment. Additionally, skilled conflict resolution supports better collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring that disagreements do not hinder patient outcomes or organizational efficiency.
- Supervisory Management (6N4329) – 15 credits
It is important for upcoming healthcare supervisors and managers to study supervisory management because it equips them with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to lead teams effectively, make informed decisions, and navigate the complexities of the healthcare environment. Supervisory management provides insight into key areas such as leadership styles, team dynamics, communication, conflict resolution, performance evaluation, and resource allocation. With healthcare constantly evolving, future leaders must be prepared to handle challenges related to staffing, regulatory compliance, patient safety, and quality improvement. By understanding the principles of supervisory management, emerging supervisors and managers are better prepared to support their teams, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to a positive workplace culture that ultimately enhances patient care and outcomes.
📘 Elective Modules – Group 1 (Choose One, 15 Credits)
Develop advanced communication and leadership skills to support your role as a supervisor:
- Communications (6N1950):
Effective communication skills are essential in healthcare supervisory and management roles, particularly when working with a multidisciplinary team, as they ensure the seamless exchange of information, reduce the risk of errors, and promote cohesive teamwork. In a healthcare setting, supervisors and managers must convey expectations clearly, listen actively to staff concerns, and facilitate open dialogue among professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. Strong communication fosters trust, enhances collaboration, and helps align team members toward common goals such as patient safety, quality care, and operational efficiency. Moreover, clear and respectful communication is vital for resolving conflicts, coordinating complex care plans, and ensuring that all team members are informed and engaged in decision-making processes. This ultimately leads to improved staff morale, better patient experiences, and more effective healthcare delivery.
- Leadership (6N2191):
Leadership skills are integral in healthcare supervisory and management roles because they directly impact the quality of patient care, staff performance, and overall organizational efficiency. In a fast-paced, high-stakes environment like healthcare, leaders must be able to communicate clearly, make informed decisions under pressure, and foster a collaborative culture among multidisciplinary teams. Strong leadership ensures that protocols are followed, resources are utilised efficiently, and staff feel supported and motivated. Furthermore, effective leaders are instrumental in driving change, managing conflicts, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and ethical standards. Ultimately, their ability to lead with integrity, empathy, and strategic vision contributes to better patient outcomes and a more resilient healthcare system.
Forus Training offers both, and learners can choose based on their strengths and career focus.
👩🏫 Work Experience Module – Group 2 (15 Credits)
This module emphasises work-based practice and reflection:
Work Experience (6N1946) – 15 credits
Work experience for upcoming healthcare workers is a practical, hands-on opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world healthcare settings. This experience helps students develop essential skills like communication, teamwork, professionalism, and an understanding of patient care routines. It also gives them a clearer idea of what to expect in their future careers, helps build confidence, and can be a valuable addition to their resume when applying for jobs in the healthcare field.
At Forus Training, this module is relevant for various healthcare environments and settings.
🧩 Specialist Electives (Choose Three or More, 45+ Credits)
These modules allow learners to specialise in key areas of healthcare management. Forus Training offers the following popular and practical options:
- Health Promotion (6N2214)
Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health. It goes beyond just treating illness – it focuses on preventing disease, encouraging healthy behaviors, and creating environments that support well-being. For learners entering the healthcare field, understanding health promotion means learning how to educate individuals and communities about lifestyle choices, such as healthy eating, exercise, mental wellness, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking. It also involves working with other sectors, like education and public policy, to create supportive conditions for healthier living. Ultimately, health promotion empowers people to lead healthier lives and reduces the overall burden on healthcare systems.
- Person Centred Planning (6N2206)
Person-centred planning is an approach in healthcare that focuses on putting the individual at the heart of their own care and support. It means involving the person in decisions about their treatment, respecting their values, preferences, and unique needs. For upcoming healthcare students, this approach emphasises the importance of seeing each patient as a whole person – not just focusing on their medical condition. It encourages active listening, empathy, and collaboration with patients, their families, and other professionals to create care plans that are meaningful and tailored to the individual. Person-centred planning helps build trust, improves patient satisfaction, and often leads to better health outcomes.
- Gerontology (6N3748)
Gerontology – the study of aging and the challenges faced by older individuals – helps learners develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective, compassionate, and age-appropriate care. It covers physical, psychological, and social aspects of aging, preparing students to recognise common health conditions in older adults, promote healthy aging, and support independence and dignity in later life. Learning about gerontology also helps future healthcare workers combat ageism, communicate more effectively with elderly patients, and contribute to a more inclusive and responsive healthcare system.
- Human Resources Management (6N3750)
Human Resources Management covers essential areas such as staff recruitment, training, performance management, employee relations, and legal compliance – all of which directly impact the quality of patient care and workplace culture. For future healthcare supervisors and managers, having a solid understanding of Human Resources Management helps them support and lead teams effectively, handle staffing issues, promote employee well-being, and ensure a fair and productive work environment. It also prepares students to navigate challenges like staff shortages, workplace conflict, and regulatory requirements, making them more well-rounded and capable healthcare professionals.
- Project Management (6N4090)
Project management teaches learners how to set goals, plan and organise resources, manage time and budgets, and lead teams to complete projects successfully. Whether it’s implementing a new patient care system, organizing a health promotion campaign, or improving a clinic’s workflow, project management skills help future healthcare professionals ensure that projects are completed on time, within scope, and with positive outcomes. This knowledge also prepares learners to take on leadership roles and contribute to quality improvement in healthcare services.
- Finance (6N4165) – Critical for budgeting and resourcing
By learning about finance, learners can better understand how healthcare systems operate, how funding affects service delivery, and how to contribute to financially responsible practices. This is especially important for those aiming for leadership or management roles, where financial decisions can directly influence the quality and accessibility of care. Basic financial knowledge enables future professionals to make informed decisions about budgeting, resource allocation, and cost control – all of which impact patient care and organizational performance.
🎯 Optional Modules (Remaining 15 Credits)
Learners may choose a relevant Level 6 or one Level 5 module to make up the total of 120 credits. Consider areas such as:
- Mental Health Awareness (6N2209)
Studying mental health awareness is important for healthcare students, managers, and supervisors because mental health is a critical part of overall well-being – for both patients and healthcare staff. Understanding mental health helps future professionals recognise signs of mental distress, provide appropriate support, reduce stigma, and promote early intervention. For managers and supervisors, this knowledge is also essential for creating a supportive work environment, managing stress among staff, and encouraging open conversations around mental health in the workplace. By being aware and informed, healthcare leaders can help foster a culture of compassion, safety, and resilience, which benefits both staff performance and patient care outcomes.
- Safety Management (6N1782)
Understanding safety management is crucial for healthcare supervisors and managers because it ensures a safe environment for both patients and staff. Effective safety management helps prevent accidents, reduce risks, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. It involves identifying potential hazards, implementing safety protocols, and promoting a culture of awareness and accountability. For supervisors and managers, this knowledge is essential to protect staff well-being, maintain high standards of patient care, and avoid costly incidents or legal issues. A strong focus on safety also builds trust among teams and contributes to the overall quality and reliability of healthcare services.
- Marketing Management (6N4188)
Marketing management for healthcare supervisors and managers involves planning, implementing, and overseeing strategies to promote healthcare services, attract patients, and improve the organization’s public image. It includes understanding the needs of the target audience, developing communication campaigns, managing branding, and ensuring that services are effectively presented to the community. For healthcare leaders, marketing management is important not just for increasing patient numbers, but also for promoting health education, building trust, and highlighting the quality and value of services offered. It helps organizations stay competitive, meet community needs, and ensure long-term sustainability in an evolving healthcare landscape.
- Special Needs Assisting (6N1957) – To strengthen knowledge in support roles
Studying special needs assisting is useful for healthcare supervisors and managers because it deepens their understanding of how to support individuals with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities in a respectful, inclusive, and person-centred way. This knowledge helps leaders create more accessible and supportive healthcare environments, ensure staff are properly trained, and advocate for appropriate resources and care plans. It also equips them to manage teams who work directly with individuals with special needs, promoting empathy, effective communication, and collaboration. Ultimately, it supports better care outcomes, reduces inequalities, and reinforces the commitment to dignity and quality of life for all individuals.
Why Choose Forus Training?
At Forus Training, our courses are designed with busy professionals in mind. Our trainers are industry experts and our learning platforms are accessible, flexible, and fully supported.
Whether you’re already working in healthcare or planning a return to the workforce, our modular structure allows you to build your qualification around your life.
