Is membership open to building service contractors?
PC: Absolutely, if they can provide management services that provide proper cleaning and disinfection services to healthcare facilities while following federal, state and local guidelines. Presently, 22 percent of our members are in contract management services. CP: What is ASHES’ role regarding education? PC: Education is paramount. The cleaning profession (particularly healthcare) is one of the most misunderstood, and in many cases, lacking respect as a profession. To the average person, the use of the word custodian or janitor in-and-of-itself does not conjure up thoughts of a professional responsible for cleaning for health and hygiene — whether cleaning a healthcare facility or a convention center. Healthcare cleaning is serious business, which is why ASHES wanted a knowledge-based certification program available to demonstrate mastery of a well-defined body of knowledge. Our program has three components: • Eligibility requirements that are a blend of education and experience, and
