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Mater Lean Academy
Join over 4,000 healthcare staff and learn to implement lasting change through our accredited Person-Centred Lean Six Sigma programmes
What is the Mater Lean Academy?
Lean and Six Sigma are process improvement methodologies that have a proven record of successful application in healthcare.
These approaches provide a framework to break down complex system problems into their component parts, identify value and align service solutions to the users’ needs, improving flow and quality.
Since it was established in 2013, the Mater Lean Academy has trained, educated and supported healthcare staff to introduce impactful, lasting solutions within the health system with patients and staff at their core using a Lean Six Sigma Person-centred approach.
Over this time, 430 graduates from 58 healthcare organisations have delivered long-standing improvements in the healthcare system by generating time and cost savings, improving quality of care and enhancing the experiences of both patients and staff.
In addition, over 4,000 healthcare staff nationally have undertaken the Mater Lean Academy’s one day Fundamentals of Process Improvement White Belt Programme and now form part of our Lean community of practice.
Why choose our programmes?
University accredited programmes
Our accredited UCD programmes offer participants a suite of options in process and service improvement. Whether you are a novice learner or want to advance your learning as part of an MSc in Leadership, Innovation and Management in Healthcare we have options for every learner.
Delivered by healthcare professionals for healthcare professionals
As well as lectures, students avail of mentor sessions with leading change management professionals based in the Irish healthcare system. Our teaching methods have also recently been recognised in college and university level awards.
Accessible to all
These practical academic programmes which focus on learning through action are available to all staff in healthcare, regardless of profession or grade. We have found that the interdisciplinary learning environment provides a richer experience for our learners.
Person centred cultures of care
Echoing the original Lean tenet of respect for people, our programmes are underpinned by the principles of Person-centred care (collaboration, inclusion, participation) promoting holistic solutions with patients, staff and carers at the heart of change.
Whether you are new to process improvement or you are looking to advance your skills, our accredited programmes are deeply rooted in practice and will meet your needs, wherever you are on your improvement journey.
White Belt
1 day programme
Programme outcome
We will introduce you to Lean and Person-centred improvement sciences with practical exercises, tools and examples of healthcare projects.
Qualification
White Belt Certificate
CPD
NMBI - 6 CEU
CORU - 6 Hours
RCPI - 6 Points
Programme fee
Individuals €250
Online programme
Group bookings €2,500
Online or onsite programmes
Upcoming Courses
Programmes run throughout the year.
Please email leansixsigma@mater.ie for more information on programme dates and to apply
Green Belt
6 month - Part Time
(5 class days over two trimesters)
Programme outcome
Through successful completion of this academic programme and your team project, you will be able to:
- Understand the principles, philosophy, and be proficient in Lean Six Sigma, the model for improvement and Person-centred tools and practices
- Appreciate the role of cross functional teams and work effectively as a project team member or leader of a problem-solving team
- Identify and complete well defined projects that solve challenging problems and generate sustainable process improvement
Qualification
Professional Certificate
Process Improvement in Health Systems
QQI Level 8: 10 ECT credits
Graduates can then choose to progress onto the following programmes:
Black Belt Graduate Certificate Process Improvement in Health Systems (40 ECTS Credits)
MSc Leadership, Innovation and Management for Healthcare (90 ECTS Credits)
Programme fee
EU €1,674 (167.40 per credit x 10 ECTS)
Non EU €3,233.30 (323.33 per credit x 10 ECTS)
Black Belt
1 Year - Part Time
(9 class days over three trimesters)
Programme outcome
Through successful completion of this academic programme and system level project, you will be able to:
- Lead on process and quality improvement initiatives
- Demonstrate and teach process improvement principles, methods and tools
- Carry out healthcare research to support and underpin organisational process and quality improvement projects
- Demonstrate the ability to analyse and draw conclusions from data
- Demonstrate the ability to overcome resistance to change in an organisation
Qualification
Graduate Certificate
Process Improvement in Health Systems
QQI Level 9: 40 ECT credits
Graduates can then choose to progress to the MSc Leadership, Innovation and Management for Healthcare (90 ECTS Credits)
Programme fee
EU €6,696 (167.40 per credit x 40 ECTS)
Non EU €12,933 (323.33 per credit x 40 ECTS)
Graduates of these programmes have applied their learning successfully to improve experiences and outcomes for staff and patients in areas as diverse as stroke thrombolysis, patient scheduling, procurement, data coding, ward and unit design, rehabilitation, hip fracture pathways, pharmacy, pathology, radiology, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, oncology and community health.
Our Person-centred approach
We believe that successful improvement initiatives directly correlate with, and are sustained by, the skills and knowledge possessed by all levels of healthcare professionals. The Academy draws on the experience of its participants, along with our lecturers and adjunct faculty. We apply innovative approaches to process improvement learning and leadership, and we provide our programme participants with the support to pursue their improvement projects from pilot to implementation phase.
“Lean improvements gives us as clinicians time back to spend with our patients”
“We use a proven methodological approach that is synergistic with developing person-centered cultures, encompassing everyone who is involved in the journey of care”
“Lean gives you the structure to tackle complex healthcare problems, work through the inevitable ups and downs and deliver lasting user focused solutions”
“Our programmes create the opportunity for all involved in delivery of care to see how their job fits within the entire health system and be involved in positive change”
“Lean provides a powerful way for teams to collaborate across traditional silos, generating whole system improvements, aligned with patient journeys”
