Introduction

Procurement in the healthcare sector plays a critical role in ensuring the availability of essential medicines, medical equipment, and services. With the ever-increasing demand for high-quality healthcare and budget constraints, procurement professionals in healthcare must balance cost, quality, and timely delivery while complying with stringent regulations and ensuring patient safety. This 5-day training course will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of healthcare procurement practices, supply chain management, and contract management. It will also address emerging trends in sustainable procurement, healthcare innovation, and compliance with healthcare regulations.

Course Objectives

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

• Understand the unique challenges and requirements of procurement in the healthcare sector.
• Develop effective procurement strategies to source medical supplies, equipment, and services.
• Navigate regulatory compliance and ethical considerations in healthcare procurement.
• Understand the importance of patient safety and quality standards in procurement decisions.
• Integrate sustainable procurement practices into healthcare supply chains.
• Apply risk management techniques to mitigate procurement-related risks in healthcare.
• Develop and manage contracts effectively with suppliers and service providers.
• Evaluate supplier performance and ensure cost control without compromising quality.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for:

• Procurement professionals in healthcare organizations such as hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers.
• Healthcare supply chain managers responsible for managing procurement processes.
• Contract managers involved in negotiating and managing healthcare contracts.
• Legal professionals working in healthcare procurement and contract law.
• Sustainability officers and environmental managers involved in green procurement in healthcare.
• Project managers working on healthcare infrastructure and supply chain projects.
• Government officials responsible for regulating and overseeing healthcare procurement policies.
• Consultants working in healthcare procurement and supply chain management.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Healthcare Procurement

• Overview of Healthcare Procurement:
  • The role of procurement in delivering high-quality healthcare services.
  • Key sectors within healthcare: pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, patient services, and healthcare infrastructure.
  • Understanding the specific needs of healthcare procurement: timely delivery, patient safety, and cost efficiency.
• Procurement Strategy in Healthcare:
  • Developing a procurement strategy tailored to healthcare institutions and services.
  • Aligning procurement decisions with the mission, goals, and patient outcomes of healthcare organizations.
  • The importance of stakeholder engagement in healthcare procurement decisions.
• Regulatory and Compliance Considerations:
  • Overview of key regulations governing healthcare procurement: FDA, GxP (Good Manufacturing Practice), ISO standards, and local regulations.
  • Understanding the impact of healthcare laws and regulations on procurement decisions.
  • The role of ethical procurement and ensuring transparency and accountability in the healthcare supply chain.

Day 2: Procurement of Medical Equipment and Pharmaceuticals

• Procurement of Pharmaceuticals and Drugs:
  • Key considerations for procuring pharmaceuticals: quality, safety, and compliance with healthcare regulations.
  • Supplier selection and managing relationships with pharmaceutical vendors.
  • The role of licensing agreements, supply chain resilience, and drug shortages in pharmaceutical procurement.
• Procurement of Medical Equipment:
  • Factors to consider when procuring medical equipment: safety standards, functionality, maintenance, and life cycle costs.
  • Ensuring regulatory compliance with medical device standards (e.g., CE Marking, FDA approval).
  • Contracting and managing warranties, service contracts, and ongoing support for medical equipment.
• Supplier Relationship Management:
  • Building long-term relationships with pharmaceutical and medical equipment suppliers.
  • Evaluating supplier capabilities, reliability, and ethical practices.
  • Managing supply chain risks in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sectors.

Day 3: Risk Management and Ethical Considerations in Healthcare Procurement

• Risk Management in Healthcare Procurement:
  • Identifying key risks: supply disruptions, regulatory changes, quality issues, and ethical concerns.
  • Developing a comprehensive risk management plan for healthcare procurement.
  • Techniques for mitigating risks: contingency planning, insurance, and supplier audits.
• Ethical Procurement in Healthcare:
  • The importance of ethical sourcing in healthcare: ensuring fairness, transparency, and equity in procurement.
  • Managing conflict of interest and anti-bribery compliance in healthcare procurement.
  • How to ensure that procurement practices align with patient-centric goals and contribute to improving health outcomes.
• Sustainable Procurement Practices:
  • Incorporating sustainability into healthcare procurement: eco-friendly products, green procurement, and waste reduction.
  • Managing energy-efficient equipment, sustainable pharmaceuticals, and recyclable medical supplies.
  • The role of environmental impact assessments in healthcare procurement decisions.

Day 4: Contract Management and Supplier Performance in Healthcare Procurement

• Contract Management in Healthcare Procurement:
  • Key contract types used in healthcare procurement: fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, and service agreements.
  • Contract negotiation and drafting: key considerations for healthcare contracts.
  • Monitoring contract performance and ensuring compliance with service level agreements (SLAs).
• Supplier Performance Evaluation:
  • Developing performance metrics and KPIs for healthcare suppliers.
  • Using supplier scorecards and audits to evaluate performance.
  • How to handle non-compliance and breach of contract situations.
• Managing Procurement Lifecycle in Healthcare:
  • The procurement process from pre-qualification and tendering to contract award and post-procurement review.
  • Managing procurement through the life cycle of healthcare services, ensuring quality and compliance at every stage.

Day 5: Emerging Trends in Healthcare Procurement

• Healthcare Procurement Innovation:
  • Exploring emerging technologies in healthcare procurement: blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data.
  • How digitalization is transforming procurement processes, from e-sourcing to contract automation.
  • The role of telemedicine, remote healthcare, and digital health in changing procurement needs.
• Healthcare Procurement and Globalization:
  • Global sourcing of medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and equipment: managing challenges in international procurement.
  • Addressing global supply chain disruptions, trade policies, and tariffs.
  • Adapting procurement strategies to emerging markets and international standards.
• Workshop and Group Exercise:
  • Group work on developing a comprehensive healthcare procurement strategy, including risk management, sustainability, and compliance considerations.
  • Presentations on the integration of technology and innovation in healthcare procurement.
  • Final Q&A and feedback session.

Conclusion

This course equips healthcare procurement professionals with the knowledge and tools to manage procurement activities effectively within the healthcare sector. It covers critical aspects such as risk management, regulatory compliance, ethical procurement, supplier relationship management, and emerging trends. Participants will leave with the confidence to make informed procurement decisions that contribute to cost-effective, efficient, and safe healthcare delivery.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Certified Healthcare Procurement Specialist (CHPS) certification from Learnify® Training.

Certification Benefits:

• Expertise in healthcare procurement, including medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory compliance, risk management, and ethical procurement in the healthcare sector.
• A recognized qualification to enhance career opportunities in the growing field of healthcare procurement.