Raising the Bar: Why Central Service Certification Makes a Difference
(Posted with permission)
By Don Gordon and Stephen M. Kovach
Hair stylists, auto mechanics, and realtors are all certified. In order to practice their professions, people who work in these fields must verify that they have reached a level of proficiency that has been deemed standard by their professional associations or governing bodies. There is no such national requirement for the central service professional, however. Certification is optional; in fact, some CS professionals do not even know that they can be certified.
Lack of certification in the central service profession contributes to two areas of concern for those who work in our field: First, central service professionals are not always given the same respect as others in the hospital/medical field, and second, compensation is generally lower than in the related fields that do require certification. In order to address these concerns, we need to look at certification in a broader sense—i.e., what does it bring to the individual who has been certified? And then, why are so few C.S. professionals certified, and how can they be recognized once they are?
The Power of Certification
Certification in any profession documents the capabilities of the practitioner. Colleagues or employees have an expectation about the level of performance they should see, and certification standardizes that level of expectation.
Although certification cannot guarantee a good bedside manner or that a practitioner is ethical, it does provide a consistent level of expectation. Just as we expect that a Burger King Whopper will taste the same in New York or Detroit, we expect that a certified professional in a particular job will perform at a certain level and have a certain knowledge base.
Certification assists in developing standards within an industry. Training programs with a standard curriculum are developed for those who wish to enter that industry. Such programs generally culminate in a certification exam, which when passed enables an individual to apply with confidence for a job in the field.
Certification is also an indication that one has attained a certain level of achievement and sets the certified person apart from those in the field who are not certified. As certification in a particular field becomes the norm, the expectation is that individuals practicing in that field will be certified.
Certification can help raise the profile of a particular profession. It can help attract talented people to the profession. Over time, the people practicing the profession will be better educated.
Certification also leads to continuing education. In a fast-changing world, one must be kept up to date on a number of topics and techniques. Certification demands this of an individual. Certification usually involves a recertification process that requires the individual to continue his or her knowledge quest.
Consumers generally like the idea that the person helping them or performing a task for them is certified. Certification conveys a sense of safety, competency, and quality to the consumer.
Professionals who become certified generally remain in their profession for the long run. They want to do a good job and to perform at the highest level possible. Their certification announces to the world that they are competent and perform quality work.Many healthcare professions—respiratory therapy, physical therapy, surgical technology, radiology, for example—require some sort of certification or licensure of their practitioners. As a result, people in these professions are more highly regarded within the healthcare hierarchy and better compensated than those in central service. With certification as the norm in healthcare, why has it been so hard for central service staff not only to become certified, but to be recognized?
Reprinted with permission: HPN Article, April 2004
Gordon and Kovach support national certification of Central Service Technicians.