IHEEM is launching an AE Foundation (AE (F)) course scheme of work that will enable training providers to offer a course and qualification that will provide the knowledge and skills necessary to become an Authorising Engineer in speciality areas such as healthcare decontamination and medical gas pipeline systems.
Firm foundation for authorising engineers
The Institute commissioned the scheme of work from Gloucestershire-based training provider Eastwood Park, whose director of training and CEO John Thatcher explained: “IHEEM commissioned us to develop this new course in tandem with the publication of the new HTM 00, and the new subject-specific healthcare technical memoranda such as HTM 01-01 and HTM 02, which place broad-ranging responsibilities on authorised engineers”. The scheme of work’s introduction coincides with the establishment of IHEEM’s new independent Voluntary Registers for both Authorising Engineers (Decontamination) (AE (D)) and Authorising Engineers Medical Gas Pipeline Systems (AE (MGPS)). The Authorising Engineers Foundation AE (F) programme provides the core skills needed to work as an AE across all disciplines, and a means of developing and assessing the knowledge and skills of an Authorised Person wishing to become an AE, as outlined in HTM 00. John Thatcher added: “The training encompasses key modules designed to develop knowledge of duty of care issues, incident investigation, auditing and assessing.” The scheme of work is focused on the outcomes called for by the panels that register Authorised Engineers on the IHEEM independent AE registers for Decontamination and Medical Gas Pipeline systems. The course is also designed to encompass wider disciplines of general benefit to all engineers providing similar services in healthcare premises. The AE Foundation course will provide a core skill qualification that will be assessed by the relevant Register Panel before admitting AEs to the relevant registers. It is envisaged that on successful completion of the Foundation course those newly registered individuals wishing to become an AE (D) will then move on to undertake further training in the more technical skills needed via a course such as ACIST (Advanced Course in Steriliser Training). For more information on becoming an IHEEM Registered Authorising Engineer (Decontamination) or Authorising Engineer (MGPS), or if you are a training provider wanting more information, contact the AE Register secretary, Gillian Norrie, on 02392 823186 or e-mail: Gillian.Norrie@iheem.org.uk. This issue of HEJ includes a longer feature article on the important new role of AE (D)
