Diploma in Healthcare Environmental Services Management
Centennial College
Key Information
Campus location
Toronto, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
Blended, On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 2,721 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
May 2024
* tuition 2 semesters Canadian students; CAD 15,693 - tuition 2 semesters International students
Introduction
Centennial College's Healthcare Environmental Services Management (HESM) program was 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 healthcare setting and operate buildings that are safe. Our HESM diploma program is the only one of its kind in Canada!
Today's healthcare environment is changing, and there's an increased need for infection control measures, outbreak or pandemic planning, isolation cleaning levels, emergency preparedness and timely response in the healthcare setting. In this college health diploma program's courses, you'll learn 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. You'll also learn about 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).
The curriculum will include concepts of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as well as going "green" for a healthier environment and to reduce pollution and the carbon footprint. You'll also research the use of effective eco-friendly products with lower volatile organic compounds.
To help you acquire the necessary skills, the HESM program will also expose you to the industry's 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. You'll also be informed of the wide range of environmental issues health care facilities encounter as they work to comply 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. As part of Public Health Ontario, the PIDAC has created best practice documents, reports and recommendations on matters related to communicable diseases, immunization, and infection prevention and control and surveillance. Centennial's HESM program is recognized as a recommended program that managers and supervisors in environmental service departments can attend when directly related to environmental cleaning in health care.
Through this offering, you'll combine health care environmental services knowledge with business and human relations, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This combination will prepare you to work with a diverse team in this challenging field.
As a Centennial College HESM student and graduate, you may be eligible to apply for Canadian Healthcare Housekeepers' Association and Canadian Association of Environmental Management memberships. Both are recommended for employment opportunities.
Admissions
Curriculum
Semester 1
- COMM-160/COMM-161 College Communications 1
- HESM-101 Infection Control 1
- HESM-102 Cleaning and Linen Methodology 1
- HESM-103 Role of the Healthcare Environmental Services Manager
- HESM-104 Computer Applications
- HESM-108 Math Application for Environmental Services
- HESM-111 Occupational Health & Safety
Semester 2
- COMM-170/COMM-171 College Communications 2
- GNED General Education Elective
- HESM-107 Communication and Interprofessional Collaboration for Environmental Services
- HESM-109 Purchasing and Materials Management
- HESM-201 Infection Control 2
- HESM-202 Cleaning and Linen Methodology 2
- HESM-204 Healthcare Business Practices
Semester 3
- GNED General Education Elective
- GNED-500 Global Citizenship: From Social Analysis to Social Action
- HESM-106 Field Placement 1
- HESM-112 Healthcare Building Systems & Maintenance Management 1
- HESM-205 Human Resources Management
- HESM-211 Financial Management and Budgeting
Semester 4
- HESM-206 Field Placement 2
- HESM-207 Healthcare Building Systems & Maintenance Management 2
- HESM-208 Labour Relations
- HESM-209 Cost Analysis
- HESM-210 Professional Practice
Program Outcome
Program Highlights
- The Healthcare Environmental Services Management program will incorporate classroom lectures, hands-on practical lab experience, field trips and guest speaker presentations.
- Experiential learning and practical skill development will occur on campus in designated lab areas and in computer labs with industry-specific software.
- Included in this School of Community and Health Studies program will be two field placements in semesters 3 and 4.
- The diploma you'll earn reflects high standards of learning and transferable skills.
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Support the provision of healthy, safe and sanitary healthcare 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 healthcare team to ensure the successful functioning of the facility.
- Apply quality management principles in compliance with requirements established by the organization and regulatory bodies.
- Manage the healthcare 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 enhance management skills.
- Analyze and evaluate the impact of social, ethical and legal issues on individual and/or organizational operations within a healthcare environmental services context.
- Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of the recruitment, orientation, training, development and retention programs for healthcare environmental services employees.
- Ensure fiscal accountability and financial planning through the development, implementation and evaluation of the departmental budget.
- 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.
Career Opportunities
Career Outlook
- Healthcare Environmental Services Management
- Director of Environmental Services
- Environmental Services Supervisor
- Environmental Services Manager
- Support Services Supervisor
- Healthcare Facilities Building Operations Manager
- Housekeeping and/or Laundry Supervisor
- Linen and Transportation Supervisor
- Property Manager
Education Pathways
Qualified graduates of this Healthcare Environmental Services Management Diploma program may be eligible to participate in pathway programs with partnering institutions. These pathway programs allow you to receive degree credit for learning obtained at Centennial College. Please note that each partner pathway has a specific minimum grade requirement in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving partner institution.
Placement Partners
The Healthcare Environmental Services Management program has established field placement partnerships with organizations including, but not limited to: Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Scarborough Health Network, Humber River Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Shepherd Village, Belmont House, Sienna Senior Living, Extendicare, Kensington Health, Aramark, Sodexo and City of Toronto LTC.
Areas of Employment
- Hospitals
- Long-Term Care Homes
- Retirement homes
- Commercial buildings
- Schools
- Residential buildings
- Hospitality establishments
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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