How to quantify facilities competence
Behind every safe and reliable health care environment stands a facilities professional whose competence can mean the difference between inconvenience and patient harm. Health care facilities face growing challenges, such as aging infrastructure and tighter budgets. Meeting these challenges demands intentional growth and measurable competencies.
This is where the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) certifications come in. Certifications such as the Health Care Physical Environment Worker Qualification, Mechanic Evaluation and Certification for Health Care, Certified Health Care Facility Manager and Certified Health Care Constructor establish national standards for professional competence.
When a ventilation management plan performs effectively during extreme weather, reliability often traces back to professionals applying their expertise. Certification and licensure are not just achievements; they are assurances that essential systems are managed by credentialed experts.
Competence in health care facilities work exists along a continuum. A designated team member may be hired based on a job description, often without formal verification of competency. A qualified professional has completed documented training that validates their ability to perform assigned tasks. A certified professional has proven mastery through examinations. A licensed professional meets strict state or national requirements. Together, these levels provide a framework for quantifying competency across teams.
Qualifications, certifications and licenses provide a clear and defensible answer when surveyors or executives ask, “How do you know your staff is prepared?” They confirm the health care facilities professionals maintaining life safety systems, operating central plants and managing construction possess verified competency and accountability.
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Eric Krause, CHFM, CHC, Sr MECH, director of regional facilities hospital operations, Northeast region, Allina Health.
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