Environmental Services prevents and controls outbreak in healthcare

If you ever wonder how the building in your company is running, ask the workers in facilities. It’s more than housekeeping and building maintenance. Plenty of technical knowledge and health and safety issues surround this profession in any work setting or industry. To be specific, those working in the healthcare sector are one of the employees who need specialized training in environmental services due to the pathogens covering the work area.

The evolution of housekeeping and maintenance departments led to healthcare environmental services, where certified healthcare professionals are challenged to help the preventative and correction measures for hospitals, long-term and acute care facilities, and other healthcare providers. In preparation of this in-demand profession, Centennial College created a two-year healthcare management program called Healthcare Environmental Services Management (9158).

The program is a mixture of business and management principles with concepts about the healthcare system. A healthcare management course, called Role of the Healthcare Environmental Services Manager, introduces this new management position in the industry. It discusses the role and responsibilities of an employee in environment services and the interaction between this group and other departments in healthcare. Other courses are also tailored to industry needs:

• Occupational Health and Safety is fundamental to this role. Students will study the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System in detail and the impact of hazardous materials in private and public life.
• Familiarization of the industry and governmental regulations, standards and best practices regarding infection control is crucial to help prevent and control outbreaks. Students will design, implement and evaluate an infection prevention and control program that is common to real workplace programs.
• Progressive knowledge and skills in cleaning and linen methodology will be explored, where students will apply theoretical lessons in the lab practice. Students will work in teams to learn and supervise the procurement of supplies and cleaning and linen distribution systems.
• Purchasing and materials management will be examined, including any ethical concerns in the procurement process. Students will analyze ways of receiving supplies efficiently, while keeping environmental concerns in mind.
• Students will enhance their managerial skills through the Management and Leadership Principles course. They will learn everything from decision making to time management to job stress in the healthcare field.

In the final year, students will venture to an external organization in the healthcare management program industry, where they will work in the Healthcare Environmental Services Department. This field placement will further develop a student’s skillset and give them the opportunity to try the career before graduating. While getting on-the-job training with professionals, students can explore the responsibilities and career role of a Healthcare Environmental Services Manager and network within the organization. The first placement in the third semester is eight hours per week, while the second placement in the fourth semester is increased to 40 hours a week.

The extensive training that Centennial provides on campus and at field placement opportunities will help Healthcare Environmental Services Management students to apply to entry-level jobs in their field. Employers are always seeking industry-specific skills, which Centennial students possess from their courses, lab practices, and training. Graduates have been hired in environmental services departments in clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and other healthcare facilities.