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, and emergency preparedness and response in the health care setting. In Healthcare Environmental Services Management courses, 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, and 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) and 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 the offering, you are informed of the wide range of environmental issues health care facilities are encountering currently 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 improvement 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).
Career Outlook
Health care environmental services manager
Supervisor of health care facilities
Building operations manager
Laundry supervisor
Housekeeping supervisor
Property manager
Areas of Employment
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Retirement homes
Commercial buildings
Schools
Residential buildings