Plymouth Meeting, PA - Threats of influenza pandemic, bioterrorism, and natural disasters add up to a demanding job for environmental health, safety, and security (EHS&S) managers. In addition to facing these issues, EHS&S professionals must stay focused on the underlying goal: to protect workers and patients from hazards present in the everyday healthcare setting.

Recognizing these challenges, ECRI's Center for Healthcare Environmental Management™ (CHEM™) announces 2007 dates for its Healthcare Environmental Manager (HEM) certification course. The week-long class covers compliance with standards from CDC, EPA, OSHA, and NRC, as well as emergency preparedness, infection control, and best practices for reducing the risk of staff and patient injury and loss of property. It also addresses requirements from the Joint Commission.

This certification program-the only course dedicated exclusively to EHS&S professionals in the healthcare industry-is being offered on the following dates:

# February 19 to 23, 2007, in Cocoa Beach, Florida
# May 7 to 11, 2007, in Plymouth Meeting, PA

Additional 2007 course dates are pending; check www.ecri.org/chem_certification for updates.

Upon passing the examination, students are certified as Healthcare Environmental Managers and may use the professional designation "HEM." This earned certification is recognized nationwide by hospitals, health systems, insurance providers, consultants, professional organizations, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Indian Health Service, and others.

"The course was a tremendous benefit," says past attendee James Today, HEM, Hinsdale, IL. "I have applied more learning from the ECRI/CHEM course than any other training received in my professional career," he adds.

The 2007 HEM certification courses have been approved for continuing education credits by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene and the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, among other organizations. In addition, attendees who successfully complete the course may be eligible for acceptance of continuing education credits by the association, board, or university/college of the attendee's choice.

CHEM is a national professional organization dedicated to improving patient and worker safety through research, education, and certification in the disciplines that define healthcare environmental health, safety, and security. CHEM is sponsored by ECRI, a nonprofit international health services research agency.

The cost of the certification program is $1,695. Contact CHEM for information about group registration discounts. Fees cover the five-day course with breakfast and lunch, the exam, study materials, and a free subscription to the CHEM Weekly e-News service.

Facilities interested in hosting the course should contact education@ecri.org. More information can be obtained by visiting www.ecri.org/chem_certification, contacting ECRI's circulation department at circulation2(at)ecri.org or +1 (610) 825-6000, extension 5889, or mailing ECRI, 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.