Healthcare Environmental Services Management

Program Overview

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Centennial College's Healthcare Environmental Services Management program prepares students to manage environmental services departments in healthcare facilities, ensuring the safety and well-being of patients, staff, and the environment. The program emphasizes infection control, green initiatives, and practical skills through field placements and industry collaborations, equipping graduates for careers in environmental services management, infection control, and other healthcare roles.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

Centennial College's Healthcare Environmental Services Management (HESM) program is designed to meet the high demand for qualified environmental services managers with the ability to develop systems and processes to protect workers, clients, and patients from environmental hazards in the health care setting and operate buildings that are safe.

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Objectives:

• Prepare students to develop, implement, and monitor healthy and safe operating systems and preventative maintenance in the housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, and transportation areas within the environmental services department of a health care facility.
• Enable students to understand the emergence of new technologies and modernized processes to fight antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" and to help support disease control and prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs).
• Impart knowledge of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and "green" initiatives for a healthier environment and to reduce pollution and the carbon footprint.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• Infection control measures, outbreak or pandemic planning, isolation cleaning levels, emergency preparedness and timely response in the health care setting.
• Developing, implementing, and monitoring healthy and safe operating systems and preventative maintenance in the housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, and transportation areas within the environmental services department of a health care facility.
• Emergence of new technologies and modernized processes to fight antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" and to help support disease control and prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs).
• Concepts of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and "going green" for a healthier environment and to reduce pollution and the carbon footprint.
• Research on the use of effective eco-friendly products with lower volatile organic compounds.
• Best practices and continuous quality improvements to coordinate and monitor infection control and prevention protocols, public and occupational health and safety, preventative maintenance, risk assessment, emergency management, and building operating systems.
• Environmental issues encountered by health care facilities and compliance with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Health Canada, Occupational Health and Safety, Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC), and other regulatory requirements.

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Program Structure:

• 2-year/ 4 semesters program
• Offered at the Morningside Campus
• Fall Start Date

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• Classroom assignments
• Projects
• Quizzes
• Exams
• Practical skills demonstrations
• Field placement evaluations

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Assessment Criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding of course material
• Ability to apply concepts to real-world situations
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Time management and organizational skills

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Classroom lectures
• Hands-on practical lab experience
• Field trips
• Guest speaker presentations
• Problem-based learning
• Group discussions

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Faculty:

• Experienced industry professionals with expertise in environmental services management
• Passionate educators dedicated to student success

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Unique Approaches:

• Focus on experiential learning and practical skill development
• Two field placements in semester 3 and 4
• Field trips to health care facilities
• Collaboration with industry experts

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Environmental Services Manager
• Infection Control Manager
• Housekeeping Supervisor
• Laundry Manager
• Maintenance Supervisor
• Transportation Coordinator

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Opportunities:

• Employment in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and other health care settings
• Advancement to leadership roles in environmental services management
• Consulting opportunities in the health care industry

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Outcomes:

• Graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to manage environmental services departments in health care facilities effectively and efficiently.
• Graduates are qualified to support infection control and prevention protocols, maintain a clean and safe environment, and respond to environmental emergencies.
• Graduates are prepared for career advancement opportunities in the growing field of healthcare environmental services management.