How can you develop essential environmental services competencies?

1 Communication skills

Communication skills are vital for ES professionals, as they need to interact with various stakeholders, such as patients, staff, visitors, and vendors. You need to be able to communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally in different situations, such as giving instructions, reporting issues, requesting supplies, and providing feedback. You also need to be able to listen actively, ask relevant questions, and follow directions. To improve your communication skills, you can take courses or workshops on topics such as verbal and non-verbal communication, customer service, conflict resolution, and cross-cultural communication. You can also practice your skills by engaging in role-plays, simulations, and feedback sessions with your peers, supervisors, or mentors.

2 Technical skills

Technical skills are the specific knowledge and abilities that you need to perform your ES tasks, such as cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, laundering, and waste management. You need to be familiar with the equipment, tools, materials, and procedures that are required for each task, as well as the safety and quality standards that apply to your work. You also need to be able to troubleshoot problems, adapt to changing situations, and learn new technologies. To improve your technical skills, you can take courses or workshops on topics such as infection prevention and control, hazardous materials handling, laundry operations, and equipment maintenance. You can also practice your skills by following checklists, manuals, and protocols, and by seeking guidance and feedback from your supervisors or experts.

3 Teamwork skills

Teamwork skills are the ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with others to achieve common goals and objectives. You need to be able to coordinate your tasks with other ES professionals, as well as with other departments, such as nursing, housekeeping, maintenance, and administration. You also need to be able to share information, resources, and ideas, support and respect your colleagues, and resolve conflicts constructively. To improve your teamwork skills, you can take courses or workshops on topics such as team building, communication, diversity, and leadership. You can also practice your skills by participating in team projects, meetings, and activities, and by giving and receiving feedback from your team members.

4 Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills are the ability to identify, analyze, and resolve issues that arise in your ES work. You need to be able to think critically and creatively, apply logic and reasoning, and use appropriate methods and tools to solve problems. You also need to be able to evaluate the outcomes and implications of your solutions, and learn from your mistakes and successes. To improve your problem-solving skills, you can take courses or workshops on topics such as critical thinking, decision making, analytical thinking, and creative thinking. You can also practice your skills by tackling real or simulated problems, using frameworks, models, or techniques, and by seeking feedback and suggestions from your peers, supervisors, or mentors.

5 Self-management skills

Self-management skills are the ability to plan, organize, and execute your ES work independently and responsibly. You need to be able to set realistic and achievable goals, prioritize and schedule your tasks, manage your time and resources, and monitor your progress and performance. You also need to be able to cope with stress, handle pressure, and balance your work and personal life. To improve your self-management skills, you can take courses or workshops on topics such as goal setting, time management, stress management, and work-life balance. You can also practice your skills by using tools such as calendars, planners, trackers, and reminders, and by seeking feedback and support from your peers, supervisors, or mentors.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?