Project Firstline
Environmental Services Health Care Facilities Enhancing Teamwork Infection Contol Training

In the complex ecosystem of health care, environmental services (EVS) team members play a crucial yet often underappreciated role. These professionals are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in health care facilities, a task that is vital to patient safety and infection control. As health care continues to evolve and the demand for higher standards of cleanliness increases, certifications for EVS staff have become more important than ever.

Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) Signature Individual Training Programs

Facilitated by the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), an Affiliate of the American Hospital Association, the Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional (CHESP) designation provides a standardized measure of competence and knowledge in the EVS field at the management level. To be eligible to take the CHESP exam, candidates are required to have several years of environmental services experience in a health care setting.

Administered by the AHA Certification Center, this program is the health care field’s premier credential designation demonstrates mastery of maintaining the environment of care, based on a sound assessment, that provides distinction in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The AHA’s Certification Center determines eligibility requirements, exam content, testing procedures and other aspects of the certification, and oversees the examination process.

CHESPs demonstrate advanced knowledge in the following areas:

  • Regulatory compliance
  • Design and construction
  • Environmental sanitation operations
  • Waste management operations
  • Textile management operations
  • Finance
  • Administration

The AHA Certification Center contracts with PSI to administer the CHESP exam. Candidates can schedule their exam with PSI at an approved testing center or they can schedule a live-remote proctored exam with PSI.

EVS Professionals can also complete the comprehensive Certificate of Mastery in Infection Prevention and Control for Environmental Services Professionals (CMIP) program.

This 34-hour certificate program exposes environmental services leaders and professionals to the microbiology and epidemiology behind the spread of infections and includes best practices for prevention and preparedness.

AHE coursework is designed to teach EVS staff about the connection between a clean and sanitized environment and quicker patient recovery and improved outcomes. When patients perceive that a health care facility is clean and well-maintained, their trust in the organization’s ability to provide quality care is reinforced. Further, by creating and maintaining a culture of preventing the spread of infectious diseases, EVS technicians are instrumental to curbing and preventing outbreaks that can affect entire communities.

The AHE’s Signature Train-the-Trainer Programs

Advanced EVS technicians are encouraged to continue their professional development through training and mentoring peers. The Certificate in Non-Acute Care Cleaning Train-the-Trainer Program (CNACC) offers frontline cleaning and disinfection technicians an AHA-backed educational program to break the chain of infection, ensure positive patient outcomes and provide value through evidence-based training. Led by master trainers (MT-CNACCs), the program empowers participants to deliver critical education to their teams, covering non-acute care areas such as outpatient, long-term care and behavioral health facilities. The 24-hour program includes eight modules on topics such as chemicals, equipment and outpatient areas.

The AHE’s Certification Training for Surgical Cleaning Technicians (CSCT) sets the standard for managing pathogens in operating rooms. This train-the-trainer program emphasizes on-the-job performance, self-awareness, infection prevention and innovative cleaning techniques in high-stakes environments.

The AHE’s Certified Health Care Environmental Services Technician (CHEST) program empowers high-performing health care environmental services professionals who supervise or are preparing to supervise other technicians. With a 99% satisfaction rating, this train-the-trainer program covers infection prevention, disinfection, communication, waste and linen handling safety and floor care.

The CHEST program is ideal for staff who supervise technicians responsible for disinfecting the environment of care.

  • Health Care Environmental Services Directors, Managers and Supervisors
  • Trainers and Educators
  • Contract Agencies and Consultants
  • EVS Product and/or Service Providers
  • Infection Prevention Professionals
  • Established through a nationwide job analysis, the CHEST program prepares participants to train their staff and earn CHEST certification.

Training to Ensure Consistency

The CDC recommends training for EVS personnel when hired and continuing training at least annually and when new equipment and protocols are introduced. This is critical to maintaining a safe medical environment. While the AHE’s signature training programs are a helpful tool for maintaining that consistency, the organization also offers complimentary on-demand webinars for its members. These virtual programs help technicians tackle challenging topics such as high reliability in health care, budget reduction strategies and staying positive around negativity.