Program Description Centennial College's Healthcare Environmental Services Management program was designed to meet the demand for qualified environmental services managers with the ability to develop systems and processes to protect workers, clients and patients from environmental hazards present in the health care setting and operate buildings that are safe.
Today's health care environment is changing, and there is an increased need for infection control measures, outbreak or pandemic planning, isolation cleaning levels, emergency preparedness and response in the health care setting. In the courses of this college health diploma program, you learn to develop, implement and monitor operating systems and preventative maintenance in the housekeeping, laundry, maintenance and transportation areas within the environmental department of a health care facility. You'll also learn about the emergence of new technologies to fight antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" and to help support disease control of bacteria and viruses.
The curriculum includes concepts of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), as well as going "green" for a healthier environment and to reduce pollution and our carbon footprint. You also research the use of effective eco-friendly products with lower volatile organic compounds.
During your time in this healthcare program, you are informed of the wide range of environmental issues health care facilities are encountering as they work to comply with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC), Health Canada, Occupational Health and Safety, Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) and other regulatory requirements.
To help you to acquire the necessary skills, the Healthcare Environmental Services Management program exposes you to the industry's best practices and continuous quality improvements to coordinate and monitor building, sanitation, maintenance and operating systems. Through this School of Community and Health Studies program, you combine health care environmental service knowledge with business and human relations, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. This combination prepares you to work with a diverse team in this challenging field.
Centennial College HESM Graduates/Students have the option to apply for an Ontario Healthcare Housekeepers' Association (OHHA) membership.
Program Highlights The Healthcare Environmental Services Management program incorporates classroom lectures, hands-on practical lab experience, field trips and guest speaker presentations. You complete your training in large, well-equipped industry specific laboratories as well as computer labs with industry-specific software. Included in this School of Community and Health Studies program are two field placements (one in the third semester and the other in the fourth semester). During this program, you apply your developed knowledge in a variety of lab settings within the college and the arranged field placements. The diploma you earn reflects high standards of learning and transferable skills. Upon graduation you may be eligible to become a member in industry-specific professional associations including Ontario Healthcare Housekeepers Associations (OHHA), Canadian Association of Environmental Management (CAEM).
As a Healthcare Environmental Services Management program graduate, you will be able to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
Support the provision of a healthy, safe and sanitary health care environments according to guidelines set by current legislation, standards and regulations. Analyze infection prevention and control practices to ensure compliance with current legislation standards and regulations. Work effectively as part of an interprofessional health care team to ensure successful functioning of the facility. Apply quality management principles in compliance with requirements established by the organization and regulatory bodies. Manage the health care environmental services operations as outlined by the departmental/organizational business plan. Develop ongoing personal and professional development strategies and plans to achieve realistic career goals and to enhance management skills. Analyze and evaluate the impact of social, ethical and legal issues on individual and/or organizational operations within a health care environmental services context. Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of recruitment, orientation, training, development and retention programs for health care environmental services employees. Develop and evaluate a departmental budget that reflects fiscal accountability and financial planning. Apply effective human resource management practices to enhance organizational and individual productivity and performance. Document, generate and maintain all required records in compliance with current healthcare environmental services regulations, standards and established protocol. Global Citizenship, Education and Inclusion Portfolio
Students in this program will develop a portfolio documenting their engagement with the College's signature global citizenship and equity competencies. For more information on Global Citizenship, Education and Inclusion, the GCEI Portfolio and the available supports, please visit www.centennialcollege.ca/citizenshipandequity.
