The Association for the Health Care Environment Publishes Health Care Environmental Services Competency Model

The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), a professional membership group of the American Hospital Association, has developed the first interactive competency model tool for health care environmental services professionals, including technicians, supervisors, managers and directors. 

These core competencies may be used to create job descriptions, assess performance and guide professional development; self-assess skill levels and training needs and set improvement goals; and determine staff training needs. It should be noted that job titles vary by organizational size, structure, level within a health care system and other organizational attributes. 

Guidelines were developed for acute care hospitals, but may be used in a variety of health care settings as most of the core competencies have broad applicability. The core competencies were developed using two job task analyses as a starting point. In the second phase of development, subject matter experts determined which competencies should be elevated to the core level. 

Core competencies for technicians reflect their hands-on everyday responsibilities as well as the knowledge base, principles and practices that should guide technicians in carrying out these responsibilities. Competency areas include cleaning and disinfection, linen handling, infection prevention, waste handling, safety, communication, patient focus and customer service, and emergency preparedness and response. Core competency areas for supervisors, managers and directors include environmental sanitation, textile management, waste management, compliance and administration. Managers and directors also have core competencies related to financial stewardship, and planning, design and construction.

For more information on the AHE EVS Competency Model, please visit https://www.ahe.org/EVSCompetencyModel. 

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About AHE 
The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a professional membership group of the American Hospital Association. AHE is the professional organization of choice for professionals responsible for caring for the patient and resident care environment across all care settings; including hospitals, long term care, continuing care retirement communities and ambulatory care. AHE shapes professional practice, advances and promotes the profession and promotes awareness for over 2,100 professionals working to ensure a clean and safe health care environment and quality outcomes. www.ahe.org