Carpenters trained in this program have superior skills needed to contain pathogens, protect patients, and work without disrupting operations — all while keeping a project on schedule.
Training is given to carpenters, foremen and superintendents, using classroom and hands-on training in healthcare facility-simulated environments. The goal is to earn two qualification cards: Best Practices in Healthcare Construction, and Blood Borne Pathogens. Keeping the Best Practices credentials requires ongoing refresher courses and re-certification every four years. Maintaining the blood borne pathogens qualification card requires annual re-certification.
Before teaching ICRA Best Practices in Healthcare Construction, our instructors must first achieve Master Instructor Status and then successfully complete the ICRA construction training themselves. Our “Train the Trainer” program is extensive hands-on work, including the use of simulated healthcare facility. Refresher and re-certification courses are mandatory.
We witnessed a growing concern from healthcare customers over increased patient infections due to cross-contamination from renovations and additions.
We determined that specialized training — focusing exclusively on the healthcare environment — was needed in order for healthcare organizations to safely and efficiently renovate facilities with construction professionals who know how to properly contain infectious particles and keep the job site on time and on budget.
A rigorous training curriculum was developed in consultation with leading construction-related infection control experts around the country.
A collection of relevant, up-to-date technical material was handed off to subject matter experts, who also researched which best practices would deliver the trained professionals that a healthcare job site requires. A curriculum was created and implemented.
A system was established for ongoing review of the training materials, again with industry experts, to refine technical information and anticipate emerging job site requirements.
The program utilizes a two-tiered approach: