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Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker

ASHE Certification: Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker Exam
A new way to show you are qualified to work in the complex health care physical environment

Health care facilities are different than other job sites. They are highly regulated, operate around-the-clock, and house vulnerable patients. Everyone who works on a health care site -- from those doing a day of construction work to those with full-time positions in a hospital -- should understand the complex health care environment.

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Member Price: $40
Non-member Price: $50

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In order to receive certification, you must use your own ASHE website login to take the test.

If you are interested in group registration for 15 or more please email ashe@aha.org.

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Details & FAQs

Contractors, subcontractors, and other workers

Are you in construction

Get ASHE certified through our online program and show that you understand health care and will be ready to work as soon as you get on site.

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Health care leaders

Health care leaders

Protect your patients and your organization by requiring ASHE certifications in your bid specifications. Ensure that workers in your facility understand the health care environment.

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Contractors, subcontractors, and other workers

 

Many health care organizations require ASHE certification in bid specifications. For contractors and subcontractors, earning the certification can help you land jobs because you will show employers you are ready to work in health care facilities. ASHE recommends that each general contractor/project lead hold a Certified Healthcare Construction (CHC) certification, and that at least one CHC should be part of every health care construction project. ASHE recommends that everyone else on a job site should be a Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker. ASHE’s certified worker program is unique because it is focused on patient safety and is the only certification of its kind backed by the American Hospital Association. Getting ASHE certified shows that you truly understand the complex health care physical environment.

ASHE has developed a chart showing which certifications are appropriate for various professionals.

Which certification is right for me?

To become a Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker, you need to pass a 1 hour, 75-question multiple choice exam. The exam is offered online so you can take it at any time. Upon successful completion of the exam you will earn a temporary badge that you can print to show you have passed the exam. A permanent badge featuring your name and photo will be mailed to you. Your certification is valid for 3 years from the day you pass the exam.

The Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker exam costs $50, and the certification is valid for 3 years. ASHE members get a discounted price of $40. More information about becoming an ASHE member is available online.

The exam covers basic topics that workers need to know about working in health care and how it is different than working in other industries. The 10 main topics include:

  1. Construction in health care facilities
  2. Construction risk assessments
  3. Infection control and prevention
  4. Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRA)
  5. Non-infectious environmental risks
  6. Construction practices in health care facilities
  7. Life safety and fire safety
  8. Interim life safety measures
  9. Utility system shutdowns
  10. Project closeout and transition to occupancy

ASHE offers several resources to help you prepare for the exam. ASHE members get discounted rates to access these preparation materials. Resources include:

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Health care leaders

 

Requiring certifications in bid specifications for health care construction projects can help reduce risk by ensuring that everyone on the job site understands the complexity of health care construction. ASHE certifications are unique because they are focused on patient safety and are the only certifications of their kind backed by the American Hospital Association. Getting ASHE certified means that workers truly understand the health care physical environment.

ASHE recommends requiring general contractors and project leads to hold a Certified Healthcare Construction (CHC) certification. There should be at least one CHC working on every health care construction project. Bid specifications should require everyone else on a job site to be a Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker. ASHE has developed a chart showing more information about various certifications.

The following example is based on the American Institute of Architects document A201-2017 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction. Similar language can be included in Associated General Contractors documents or any customized construction document.

Example: A201-2017 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction

A201-2017 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction 3.9 Superintendent

REVISE § 3.9.1 The Contractor shall employ a superintendent that is a Certified Healthcare Constructor as certified by the American Hospital Association Certification Center and necessary assistants who shall be in attendance at the Project site during performance of the Work. The superintendent shall represent the Contractor, and communications given to the superintendent shall be as binding as if given to the Contractor.

REVISE § 3.4.3 The Contractor shall enforce strict discipline and good order among the Contractor’s employees and other persons carrying out the Work. All employees and other persons carrying out the work shall possess a valid Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker certification from the American Society for Health Care Engineering. The Contractor shall not permit employment of unfit persons or persons not properly skilled in tasks assigned to them.

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