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AHRMM Education Pathways
AHRMM’s Education Pathways guides health care supply chain professionals through tracks designed to continue education, as they earn digital badges for greater visibility recognition.
Education Pathways highlights the typical ways professionals move through their health care supply chain career. Whether you want to learn more about the job you currently have or about the job you want to have, the Education Pathways will steer you in the right direction.
Education Pathways is anchored by health care supply chain competencies required to run a successful health care supply chain department. Competencies are linked with each health care supply chain content area (e.g. Inventory or Procurement) and role (e.g. Central Stores Technician or Purchasing Manager).
Professionals will choose the subject and education level that best suits them based on their level of experience, education and career path. This format provides a structure and educational goals, simplifying the selection of education activities. In addition, users can profile their completed education by adding electronic badges to their LinkedIn accounts and resumes.
Procurement
Directors | Procurement
Education Activities and Badges
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Compliance_icon_100x100.png)
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Administration_icon_100x100.png)
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Financial_icon_100x100.png)
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Planning_icon_100x100.png)
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Compliance_icon_100x100.png)
Environmental Sanitation
Integrate infection prevention and control standards with environmental sanitation
Roles
- Supply Chain Director
- Purchasing Director
- Contract Director
- Value Analysis Director
- Strategic Sourcing Director
- Military Equivalent:
- Deputy Commander for Administration
Chief of Staff
- Deputy Commander for Administration
Textile Management
Participate in and advise the linen management committee
Core Competencies
General Competencies
- Process improvement
- Lean Six Sigma
- Performance excellence
- Supply chain processes and interdependencies
- Benchmarking
- Analytics
- Demand Planning
- Financial analysis and forecasting
- Political acumen to drive change and improvement
- Set goals and develop plans to achieve and inspire others to accomplish goals
- Decision making based on empirical information and evidence
- Excellent verbal and written communications
- ERP
- EDI
- Clinical and benchmarking systems
Behavioral Competencies
- Skilled Communicator
- Staff Motivator
- Human Relations
Task Based Competencies
- NEED
Waste Management
Develop a waste management program including goals
Education Activities
Essentials of Purchasing Part 1: Purchasing Basics
- Define purchasing.
- Explain why the purchasing role is important and adds value to the organization.
- Identify the step-by-step process of basic buying, including:
- How to order supplies.
- What to expect from vendors.
- How to handle any invoice problems.
- Identify the step-by-step process of negotiating.
- Understand why purchasing ethically is important and how to handle common situations.
- Understand your role in customer service and improving customer relations, including:
- 4 Keys to problem resolution.
- 5 A’s of problem resolution.
Compliance/Advisory Guidance
Maintain all institutional permits, licenses and certificates
Badge Structure
Sub Head
Administration
Negotiate equipment and outside service contracts
Foundations of Procurement Badge
- The Foundations of Procurement Badge provides a fundamental understanding of the requisition and procurement processes, the importance of data analytics, and the supply chain’s customer service role. Learners will leave with a high-level overview of contracting law and negotiations and considerations as they collaborate with vendors to evaluate pricing and analyze performance. Learners will consider the analysis of data needed to support operational performance and product utilization, and how its proper visualization can improve understanding and collaboration between supply chain, clinicians and the c-suite. This series also discusses environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
Foundations of Purchasing Badge Learning Outcomes
- Identify the step-by-step process of basic buying and negotiating, including vendor expectations and invoicing issues
- Describe the customer service role in supply chain and list the keys to problem resolution and improving customer relations
- Outline basic purchasing law and the purchasing ethics needed to run a successful supply chain
- Recognize the four critical elements of a contract.
- Use shared practices and tools to collaborate with vendors to identify TCO.
- Analyze vendor performance and develop vendor payment process
- Explain how selecting the right data can help translate information into insight that supports operational performance and product utilization.
- Utilize automation to streamline activities between supply chain and accounts payable.
- Work collaboratively with your accounts payable department and devise a strategy for ownership of tasks related to procure-to-pay activities.
- Develop messaging to encourage hospital leadership in supporting supply chain’s role in community and environmental health
- Discuss the key elements of social responsibility and the potential roles supply chain can play as a community health leader
- Engage clinicians with meaningful data to get their buy-in and educate around contracting decision processes
Financial Stewardship
Develop and analyze budget variance reports
Micro-badge: Purchasing, Data and Contracts
- List specific activities
Planning, Design and Construction
Coordinate with internal or external designers to develop facility design standards
Micro-badge: Essentials of Procurement
- List specific activities
Planning, Design and Construction
Coordinate with internal or external designers to develop facility design standards
Micro-badge: Community and Collaboration
- List specific activities
Core Competencies for Health Care Environmental Services
Managers
Explain the chain of infection and transmission of infection
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Environmental_icon_100x100.png)
Manage the environmental services textile program
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Textile_icon_100x100.png)
Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Waste_icon_100x100.png)
Promote a culture of patient safety through education and policy
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Compliance_icon_100x100.png)
Analyze departmental staffing
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Administration_icon_100x100.png)
Monitor year-to-date expenses to compare with budget projections
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Financial_icon_100x100.png)
Develop a plan to maintain and improve facility appearance
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Planning_icon_100x100.png)
Environmental Sanitation
Explain the chain of infection and transmission of infection
MGR1. Environmental Sanitation
Knowledge and Expertise
- 1.1 Demonstrate a working knowledge of cleaning requirements, chemicals, equipment, language and labor products for fabrics, finishes, floor coverings, furniture (upholstered, vinyl), light fixtures, privacy/cubicle curtains, wall coverings, and window treatments and curtains, among other items.
- 1.2 Explain the chain of infection and transmission of infection
Operations Management
- 1.3 Manage the necessary resources, including staffing, for evidence-based cleaning of the facility
- 1.4 Conduct rounding to ensure the cleanliness of patient units, maintenance needs of facility and absence of noise
- 1.5 Coordinate construction area clean-up during and after renovations and new construction
- 1.6 Integrate infection prevention and control standards with environmental sanitation operations, including waste management and design and construction plans
- 1.7 Manage environmental sanitation program operations
- 1.8 Design, implement and monitor a quality management program for facility cleaning and sustainability
- 1.9 Develop and administer an integrated pest management program
- 1.10 Monitor key performance improvement activities (e.g., goals, key indicators, data collection,process change efficiency)
Textile Management
Manage the environmental services textile program
MGR2. Textile Management
- 2.1 Develop, implement, manage and document the facility cubicle curtain and drape cleaning and replacement program
- 2.2 Manage the environmental services textile program
Waste Management
Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations
MGR3. Waste Management
Sub Head
- 3.1 Develop a process for monitoring and evaluating the following:
- 3.1.1Chemotherapeutic waste
- 3.1.2 Composting
- 3.1.3 Confidential document destruction
- 3.1.4 Construction and demolition waste
- 3.1.5 “E-waste”
- 3.1.6 Hazardous waste
- 3.1.7 Municipal/solid waste removal
- 3.1.8 Pathological waste
- 3.1.9 Pharmaceutical waste
- 3.1.10 Radioactive waste
- 3.1.11 Recyclable materials
- 3.1.12 Regulated medical waste
- 3.1.13 Sharps
- 3.2 Train hospital staff and environmental services personnel in the proper handling, segregation, disposal, reduction and treatment of all waste streams
Compliance/Advisory Guidance
Promote a culture of patient safety through education and policy
MGR4. Compliance/Advisory Guidance
- 4.1 Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and standards pertaining to workspace design, labor, transport and maintenance and operations of environmental services
- 4.2 Ensure an understanding of the guidelines from organizations such as AHE, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses and Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
- 4.3 Coordinate required staff safety training and documentation to ensure regulatory and standards compliance
- 4.4 Ensure that regulated medical waste is handled, packaged, stored and disposed of in accordance with regulations, and appropriately documented
- 4.5 Adhere to all organization safety, risk management and infection control standards
- 4.6 Complete annual risk/safety assessment
- 4.7 Promote a culture of patient safety through education and policy
Administration
Analyze departmental staffing
MGR5. Administration
Management of People
Procurement/Contract Administration
- 5.1 Supervise all staff
- 5.2 Manage human resources functions
- 5.3 Develop comprehensive training and education program
- 5.4 Implement or participate in an employee reward and recognition program and an employee retention program
- 5.5 Analyze departmental staffing, including full-time equivalent hours
Program Development and Management
- 5.6 Evaluate equipment for operational safety and usefulness
- 5.7 Solicit and evaluate bids for equipment and services
- 5.8 Conduct new product evaluations
- 5.9 Develop and modify departmental policies and procedures
- 5.10 Develop a departmental scope of services plan
- 5.11 Develop standards for quality control and continuous quality improvement
- 5.12 Coordinate departmental activities with other departments, outside agencies and contractors
- 5.13 Participate in the following committees:
- 5.13.1 Infection control
- 5.13.2 Environment of Care®
- 5.13.3 Emergency management
- 5.13.4 Hazardous materials and waste management
- 5.13.5 Product evaluation
- 5.13.6 Patient experience
- 5.13.7 Patient throughput/patient flow
Organizational Culture
- 5.14 Conduct patient interviews to evaluate service and quality
- 5.15 Survey internal customers to determine satisfaction levels
- 5.16 Manage the hospital bed tracking system and ensure response times are met
- 5.17 Collaborate with other departments for the resolution of patient care delivery issues
- 5.18 Monitor customer expectations through satisfaction plans and measurement tools to ensure high level of service (e.g., HCAHPS)
Compliance/Advisory Guidance
- 5.19 Champion organization’s mission and values
- 5.20 Demonstrate diversity in practice
- 5.21 Promote positive public relations with patients, staff and visitors
- 5.22 Adhere to facility’s code of ethics to ensure corporate compliance
- 5.23 Protect privacy and confidentiality of customers, patients and partners according to federal law and facility’s code of ethics
- 5.24 Maintain knowledge of current workers’ compensation laws, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Family and Medical Leave Act and union rules and regulations
- 5.25 Ensure compliance with applicable safety and environmental regulations, and document process and results
- 5.26 Conduct regular multidisciplinary inspection tours of work areas (i.e., mock survey)
Financial Stewardship
Monitor year-to-date expenses to compare with budget projections
MGR6. Financial Stewardship
- 6.1 Manage departmental budgets
- 6.2 Monitor year-to-date expenses to compare with budget projections
- 6.3 Develop and analyze budget variance reports
- 6.4 Evaluate need for capital equipment and system improvements
- 6.5 Calculate patient census compared to available staffing for the day (e.g., flex-staffing)
Planning, Design and Construction
Develop a plan to maintain and improve facility appearance
MGR7. Planning, Design and Construction
- 7.1 Evaluate cleaning maintenance recommendations for floor coverings, wall coverings, furnishings and finishes prior to purchase
- 7.2 Develop a plan to maintain and improve facility appearance
Core Competencies for Health Care Environmental Services
Technicians
Summarize the differences between cleaning and disinfecting
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Environmental_icon_100x100.png)
Use the rag-out process for damaged linen
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Textile_icon_100x100.png)
Describe the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Infection_icon_100x100.png)
Apply knowledge to recognize, contain and prevent infection transmission
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Waste_icon_100x100.png)
Proper segregation and storage of various waste streams
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Safety_icon_100x100.png)
Communicate effectively with team members, administration and others
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Communication_icon_100x100.png)
Protect privacy and confidentiality of customers and patients
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Patient_icon_100x100.png)
Appropriately respond to emergency situations
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Emergency_icon_100x100.png)
Cleaning and Disinfection
Summarize the differences between cleaning and disinfecting
TECH1. Cleaning and Disinfection
- 1.1 Clean and disinfect all areas within the health care facility according to evidence-based protocols
- 1.1.1 Summarize the differences between cleaning and disinfecting
- 1.2 Recognize differences between a daily and a discharge clean
- 1.2.1 Clean patient rooms accordingly
- 1.3 Demonstrate the efficient use of cleaning and disinfection solutions as well as how to dispense each
- 1.3.1 Explain dwell times of each disinfectant used
- 1.4 Differentiate between a contact precaution, airborne precaution, enteric precaution and droplet precaution and the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be utilized with each precaution for the technician’s safety as well as the safety of patients)
- 1.5 Demonstrate the ability to operate and properly maintain all environmental services tools and equipment needed to clean and disinfect the environment
- 1.6 Exhibit an understanding of proper use of equipment from damage, misuse and theft through proper use per manufacturer’s recommendations and storage in approved secure location
- 1.7 Prepare the environmental services cart with sufficient supplies and chemicals
Linen Handling
Use the rag-out process for damaged linen
TECH2. Linen Handling
Sub Head
- 2.1 Follow bed-making standards
- 2.2 Understand and use the rag-out process for damaged linen to ensure proper credit is received
- 2.3 Ensure that all transported linen is covered, either in a bag or a closed transport cart
- 2.4 Ensure all leftover linen in discharge rooms is placed in soiled bags
- 2.5 Ensure clean linen is covered, if stored on a cart in unit
- 2.6 Follow cubicle curtains and drape-changing procedures
Infection prevention
Describe the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention
TECH3. Infection Prevention
- 3.1 Describe the role of microorganisms in disease and how they are transmitted in health care settings
- 3.2 Describe the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention
- 3.2.1 Practice proper hand hygiene at all times
- 3.2.2 Identify when hand washing is required versus using alcohol-based hand hygiene products
- 3.3 Explain the importance and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- 3.3.1 Accurately don and doff PPE
- 3.3 Describe and apply standard and transmission-based precautions for all patient contact in health care settings
- 3.4 Describe and apply standard and transmission-based precautions for all patient contact in health care settings
- 3.5 Describe occupational health practices that protect the health care worker from acquiring infection
- 3.6 Describe occupational health practices that prevent the health care worker from transmitting infection to a patient
- 3.7 Problem-solve and apply knowledge to recognize, contain and prevent infection transmission
Waste handling
Apply knowledge to recognize, contain and prevent infection transmission
TECH4. Waste Handling
Sub Head
- 4.1 Practice safe handling of all waste through appropriate waste streams
- 4.2 Demonstrate proper segregation and storage of various waste streams according to federal, state and local regulations
- 4.3 Understand the concept and application of goose neck knotting
- 4.3.1 Can demonstrate proper tying of waste liners
- 4.4 Use PPE appropriately and when necessary, including proper donning and doffing sequencing
Safety
Proper segregation and storage of various waste streams
TECH5. Safety
- 5.1 Work safely
- 5.1.1 Pinpoint unsafe situations and equipment
- 5.1.2 Summarize how and where to report safety issues
- 5.2 Adhere to all regulatory, organizational safety, risk management and control standards
Communication
Communicate effectively with team members, administration and others
TECH6. Communication
- 6.1 Recognize the importance of how technicians’ communication is received by patients, visitors, staff and other health care workers
- 6.2 Communicate respectfully with team members, clinical staff, administration and others in the facility
- 6.2.1 Appropriately use verbal, nonverbal, listening and feedback skills
- 6.3 Communicate effectively with team members, administration and others in the facility to identify, resolve and/or escalate problems
- 6.4 Respond accurately to questions posed by The Joint Commission, DNV GL Healthcare, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other external surveyors
Patient Focus and Customer Service
Protect privacy and confidentiality of customers and patients
TECH7. Patient Focus and Customer Service
- 7.1 Take a customer-centered approach when addressing the needs of and interacting with patients, visitors, guests, team members and other health care workers
- 7.2 Gladly assist with wayfinding or giving directions when approached
- 7.3 Show courtesy to patients by knocking on the door and politely providing an introduction before entering the room to clean
- 7.4 Answer calls promptly and respond using proper scripting
- 7.5 Maintain a professional manner with patients, visitors and other health care workers
- 7.6 Protect privacy and confidentiality of customers and patients in accordance with federal law and facility’s code of ethics
- 7.7 Recognize role as part of the organization and model the mission statement through interaction with patients, family, visitors and other facility staff
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Appropriately respond to emergency situations
TECH8. Emergency Preparedness and Response
- 8.1 Describe the importance of preparedness in the health care facility with respect to emergency events (e.g., natural, manmade, vulnerability, power outages, etc.)
- 8.2 Appropriately respond to emergency situations; maintain self-preparedness in order to handle emergency events
Core Competencies for Health Care Environmental Services
Supervisors
Demonstrate a working knowledge of cleaning requirements
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Environmental_icon_100x100.png)
Participate in facility linen inventories
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Textile_icon_100x100.png)
Train hospital staff and environmental services personnel in the proper handling
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Waste_icon_100x100.png)
Ensure regulated medical waste is handled, packaged, stored and disposed of
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Compliance_icon_100x100.png)
Conduct regular multidisciplinary inspection tours of work areas
![](/sites/default/files/2021-02/Administration_icon_100x100.png)
Environmental Sanitation
Demonstrate a working knowledge of cleaning requirements
SUP1. Environmental Sanitation
- 1.1 Conduct rounding to ensure the cleanliness of patient units, maintenance needs of facility and absence of noise
- 1.2 Manage environmental sanitation program operations
- 1.3 Explain the chain of infection and transmission of infection
- 1.4 Demonstrate a working knowledge of cleaning requirements, chemicals, equipment, language and labor products for fabrics, finishes, floor coverings, furniture (upholstered and vinyl), light fixtures, privacy curtains, wall coverings, and window treatments and curtains, among other items
- 1.5 Coordinate construction area clean-up during and after renovations and new construction)
Textile Management
Participate in facility linen inventories
SUP2. Textile Management
- 1.1 Participate in facility linen inventories and aid in the development of par levels, as needed
Waste Management
Train hospital staff and environmental services personnel in the proper handling
SUP3. Waste Management
- 1.1 Train hospital staff and environmental services personnel in the proper handling, segregation, disposal, reduction and treatment of all waste streams
Compliance/Advisory Guidance
Ensure regulated medical waste is handled, packaged, stored and disposed of
SUP4. Compliance/Advisory Guidance
- 4.1 Ensure an understanding of the guidelines and standards from organizations such as AHE, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
- 4.2 Ensure regulated medical waste is handled, packaged, stored and disposed of in accordance with regulations, and appropriately documented
- 4.3 Adhere to all organization safety, risk management and infection control standards
- 4.4 Promote a culture of patient safety through education and policy
Administration
Conduct regular multidisciplinary inspection tours of work areas
SUP5. Administration
- 5.1 Supervise all staff
- 5.2 Conduct regular multidisciplinary inspection tours of work areas (i.e., mock survey)
- 5.3 Manage the hospital bed tracking system and ensure response times are met
- 5.4 Protect privacy and confidentiality of customers, patients and partners in accordance with federal law and facility’s code of ethics
- 5.5 Adhere to facility’s code of ethics to ensure corporate compliance
- 5.6 Conduct patient interviews to evaluate service and quality
- 5.7 Promote positive public relations with patients, staff and visitors
- 5.8 Evaluate equipment for operational safety and usefulness
- 5.9 Maintain inventory of equipment and supplies
- 5.10 Monitor usage of department supplies
- 5.11 Champion organization’s mission and values
- 5.12 Demonstrate diversity in practiceffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff