Healthcare environmental services leadership requires diverse skills

Hospital administrators need environmental services (ES) leaders who can demonstrate high competency across a wide swath of knowledge, skills and abilities.

By Healthcare Facilities Today


Hospital administrators need environmental services (ES) leaders who can demonstrate high competency across a wide swath of knowledge, skills and abilities. Healthcare is in a time of transition and everywhere healthcare professionals are being required to do more with less. An article in Health Facilities Management magazine provides an overview of the scope of competencies required of today's successful ES leaders.

The knowledge an ES director should be able to demonstrate can be acquired in the classroom or on the job. But as with any high-level position, a diverse range of understanding is required. Knowledge areas should include human resources, regulations and finance. As well, an ES leader must understand the technology and products encountered in a healthcare facility as well as those used to maintain the facility.

As being an ES director has a significant people-facing component, communication skills, even stretching into being able to instruct others, is a crucial aspect. As well, a successful ES director will be able to be future-minded and unflappable. "The ability to encounter chaotic order in the current state, visualize a future state of order and cast an inspiring and compelling vision of that order to those under their supervision are key," according to the article.

Environmental services often bears the brunt of occupant scrutiny and complaints. Therefore, ES leaders must be able to demonstrate perseverance, compassion and character. And as in any executive position, being able to collaborate with other leaders across the healthcare organization and develop personal clout to be able to champion the department are indispensible qualities.

Read the full article. 



February 8, 2013


Topic Area: Environmental Services


Recent Posts

From Vacant to Vital: Adaptive Reuse of Retail Spaces

Adaptive reuse of big-box retail spaces is an increasingly popular way to expand access to healthcare in urban and suburban settings.


Community Health Network Falls Victim to Data Breach

The Indiana-based network has no evidence that any personal information has been or will be misused as a direct result of this incident.


Hudson Regional Health Launches 4-Hospital System

The launch comes after CarePoint’s bankruptcy plan was confirmed and went “effective.”


Must Know Recalls of 2025

For the safety of our readers, Healthcare Facilities Today has closely followed all recall notices related to the industry.


Sustainability as a Baseline in Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals can balance costs, build resilience and learn from global models for sustainable design to further their green goals.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.