By Mark Farnsworth / Special to Healthcare Facilities Today

Whether your healthcare construction company is new to an area, or you're an individual contractor looking to build a reputation, in a competitive industry you always need to be on the lookout for the opportunity stand out among the competition. It’s highly recommended that healthcare construction professionals obtain their healthcare construction certificate (HCC) from ASHE, but who exactly needs one?

In this post, we will highlight a few of the professionals within the healthcare construction industry that would benefit from receiving this certification.  

Healthcare facility managers 

As a facilities manager you need to prove your knowledge of the standards set at both the state and federal levels as well as those set by outside organizations. Unlike the construction company that will not be around once their job is done, your task as a facilities manager is ongoing and you need to be familiar with ever changing standards and know how to comply with them. Keeping your certification current proves to your facility that you know how a healthcare facility should be managed and maintained.

Individual contractors

Without the backing of a large company, you may struggle to prove that you have the experience or credibility to take on a large-scale project in the healthcare field. Even if you’ve taken the time to build a solid reputation, large companies will always have a bigger budget and more manpower. One way to stand out, prove your expertise and highlight the work you’ve already done is to get your healthcare construction certificate.

Construction project managers

The Healthcare Construction Certificate course will identify codes and standards compliance issues that are managed by the construction manager on the project. These codes come into play during the planning, design, construction and renovation stages of construction. This course will keep you updated on measures you can implement to ensure compliance.

Employees within a larger organization

The certification not only benefits the individual who earns it, but also the organization as a whole, presenting the company as one that values continuing education for their employees and believes in investing in that education. For individual employees, it establishes them as experts in healthcare construction and helps build their reputation and resume.

Companies looking to increase profits

If you’re a company that is doing fine, bringing in a small profit, but are ready to expand and take your business to the next level, getting your certifications may be the best way to do that. One study from ASHE and Health Facilities Management showed that managers holding the CHFM credential earned on average $10,000 more per year than those who were not certified.

Ultimately, earning a healthcare construction certification demonstrates your commitment to your industry, no matter which branch of healthcare construction employs you. The more you invest in your ongoing education, the better job you can do building a healthcare environment that is safe, sustainable, and provides the best possible patient outcomes.

Mark Farnsworth is Vice President and General Manager at HEPACART, Inc.