Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP)
Candidate Information
Introduction
The International Board for Certification of Safety Managers, known as the Board of
Certified Hazard Control Management, was established in 1976 as not-for-profit
organization for the purpose of issuing individual hazard control management and
safety credentials to working and consulting professionals. The CHSP designation,
established in 1978, focuses on the importance of using safety management and
leadership principles to improve the safety of healthcare organizations. To date more
than 2,750 healthcare professionals have earned this prestigious CHSP credential.
CHSP members come from a variety of hospital and healthcare backgrounds
including safety, security, infection control, employee health, nursing, quality, senior
administration, risk management, facility management, engineering, hazardous
materials management, emergency management, fire safety, biomedical services,
and environmental services. The CHSP program has gained wide recognition and
continues to attract healthcare professionals desiring to earn their certification in
healthcare safety. The Certified Healthcare Safety Professional program is recognized
by the American Society of Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) and by the state
of Pennsylvania.
Board Contact Information
Executive Director:
Physical Address:
Mailing Address:
Voice Number:
Facsimile:
Web Site:
Email:
James (Jim) T. Tweedy, M.S., CHCM, CHSP, CPSO
Board of Certified Hazard Control Management
173 Tucker Road, Suite 202, Helena, AL 35080
BCHCM, P.O. Box 515, Helena, AL 35080
205-664-8412
205-663-9541
www.chcm-chsp.org
information@chcm-chsp.org
jim@certsafenow.com
Vision Statement
BCHCM sets high standards for the professional practice of hazard control, safety,
health, and environmental management personnel to achieve. BCHCM emphasizes
the importance of achieving excellence by the effective use of leadership, human
relations, communication skills, and sound management practices to reduce loss and
improve organizational excellence. BCHCM desires to upgrade the healthcare safety
profession through the award of an individual credential known as the Certified
Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP).
Mission Statement
The Board of Certified Hazard Control Management (BCHCM) was founded to
promote the important role of management in all areas of safety practice. Over the
years, the CHSP program has attracted a high caliber of healthcare safety and
hazard control leaders. The philosophy of the Board is that safety directors,
managers, and coordinators must understand and use effective management and
leadership to develop and maintain effective hazard control programs.
Board Independence
BCHCM functions as an independent certifying not-for-profit organization dedicated
to excellence. The Board establishes the policies, procedures, and standards for
certifying and re-certifying qualified candidates and credentialed professionals
working in the field of healthcare safety. The granting of the CHSP designation
recognizes candidates who meet the highest professional standards and demonstrate
competency on the rigorous CHSP Examination. The mission statement is simple:
“Earning the CHSP--The Key To Upgrading The Healthcare Safety Profession.”
Accreditation
BCHCM is in the process of completing application for the CHSP program to be
accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the
accrediting arm of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA)
located in Washington, D.C. of which BCHCM is an organizational member.
CHSP Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Associate Level - Candidates must document three (3) years of relevant job
experience or three (3) years of college work from an accredited institution or any
combination equaling three (3) years.
Senior Level – Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
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Candidate can document two (2) years of relevant experience and has earned
an accredited Bachelor’s degree.
Candidate can document four (4) years of relevant experience and has earned
an accredited Associate’s degree.
Candidate can document six (6) years of relevant experience. Note: Each
year of college (30 semester hours) can be substituted for one year of
experience.
Master Level – Candidate can document four (4) years of relevant experience and
has earned an accredited Bachelor’s degree.
Exam Preparation & Study References
The examination covers the broad field of healthcare safety including infection
control, environmental management, and emergency management. The CHSP exam
contains no math or engineering test items. However, the exam does require
candidates to possess a solid understanding of a variety safety issues relating to
including safety management, employee health, fire protection, hazardous materials,
health physics, system safety, safety training/education, governmental regulations,
and accreditation standards. BCHCM does not sponsor, endorse, nor financially
benefit from any review courses or externally published materials available for use
by candidates preparing for the CHSP examination. The Board does recommend the
textbook: Healthcare Hazard Control and Safety Management, 2nd Edition, as the
primary study resource for CHSP examination prep. The book, written by James T.
Tweedy was updated in 2005 and is published by Taylor and Francis. The book is
available from the author for $125. Contact the Board for additional information.
The Management Approach To Hazard Control
To provide candidates with focus and direction regarding the hazard control concepts
tested on the examination, the Board has published a booklet entitled: A
Management Approach to Hazard Control. The booklet provides a concise and
meaningful presentation of the management principles, concepts, and techniques
that should be used to achieve an effective Hazard Control Program. Candidates
may purchase the booklet from the Board for $22 including shipping and handling.
The CHSP Self-Directed Study Program
The Self-Directed Study program includes the following: (1) The textbook:
Healthcare Hazard Control and Safety Management, (2) A focused study guide with
review exercises, and (3) more than 150 multiple-choice practice questions. Cost of
the self-study program is $495. Registering for the Self-Directed Study Program does
not guarantee that CHSP candidates will pass the formal examination. Please
understand that registering for the Self-Directed Study program is optional and is not
a Board requirement. Email info@certsafenow.com for additional information or call
205-621-0464.
CHSP Review Sessions
Some training organizations may offer CHCM Review Sessions at various locations
from time to time. However, the Board does not officially endorse any of these
programs. The Board does not control the instructors, locations, or content of any of
the CHSP Review Sessions. As a courtesy to CHSP Candidates, the Board does list
dates, locations, and contact information of CHSP Review Session on our web site at:
www.chcm-chsp.org (if the information is provided by the sponsoring group).
About The Examination
The CHSP Examination focuses on the management and leadership of hazard control
and safety related programs. There are no math or engineering questions on the
exam. The exam content has questions from the following areas: (1) Management
principles including human relations, training, etc), (2) Accreditation standards, laws,
and compliance regulations (3) Patient safety, nursing issues, and infection control,
(4) Emergency management and security (5) Employee safety, and (6) Facility and
departmental safety including fire safety and hazardous materials. The exam consists
of 110-130 multiple-choice items. The exam is a practice based evaluation
instrument that does not test theory. The high standards of the certification program
are ensured by the oversight of BCHCM and with communication and contact with
practicing professionals. BCHCM also looks to guidance from educational
professionals involved in safety and hazard curriculums. BCHCM also refers to other
available resources such as guidelines such as the Standards for Educational and
Psychological Testing (1999) as prepared by the Joint Committee on the Standards
for Educational and Psychological Testing of the American Educational Research
Association (AERA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the National
Council on Measurement in Education (NCME).
Application Procedures
Candidates must prepare a formal Application that consists of two pages. The
Application must be signed and dated on page two. Please attach a short job history
or resume to the application. Candidates must provide two Reference Evaluation
Forms from person who can attest to their qualifications for certification. The
Reference Evaluation Forms can be included with the Application submission but
must be placed in sealed envelopes. Persons providing references can also mail the
Reference Evaluations to the address listed at the top of the form. All CHSP
candidates must sign and submit the Board Code of Ethical Conduct with the
application. The Board does not suggest that candidates send application documents
via Fed Ex, UPS, or Overnight U.S. Mail. The Board does recommend that
Applications and supporting documents be sent First Class or Priority U.S. mail to the
following address: BCHCM, P.O. Box 515, Helena, AL 35080. Applications that are
sent via electronic format must be legible. Our physical office address is BCHCM, 173
Tucker Road, Suite 202, Helena AL 35080.
Special Application Instructions & Information
Do not fax Applications, Reference Evaluations, or supporting documents unless
previously coordinated with the Board. Candidates must ensure that the formal
Application is legible by printing or typing in the required information. All sections of
the Application Form must be completed or inserted with “NA” for not applicable.
Incomplete Applications will be returned to the Candidate. Applications with
statements such as “see attached” will not be accepted. Each Application must
include two mandatory attachments: (1) a single page documenting job and position
history and (2) your current official job description. Candidates with college degrees
or credits should attach or have sent to the Board college transcripts to validate
educational achievements.
Payment Of Application/Exam Fees
The Application Fee is currently $125 and is not refundable. The Exam Fee is
currently $150 and is only refundable by notifying the Board in writing at least 30
days before the scheduled exam administration date. Board fees can be paid by
money order, check, or credit card. The Board also has a secure on-line E-Pay portal
for holders of Master Card, Visa, and American Express.
Taking The Examination
The exam may be scheduled by the candidate to be administered at a local
college/university testing center or a military/government education office.
The Board does authorize some training groups of instructors of Review Courses to
administer the exam. Please contact the Board if you have questions about
examination proctoring. For exams scheduled by the candidate at colleges or
government education offices, please print, complete, and submit the Exam Proctor
Form found on the web site. A Proctor Form is not required from candidates sitting
for the exam during a Review and Exam Session with one of our authorized proctors.
Please complete the date and location of the exam on the top of the formal
Application. The Application, Reference Evaluations, and Proctor forms can be
printed from our web site at: www.chcm-chsp.org
Annual Maintenance Fees
Professionals earning the CHSP designation will be assessed an Annual Maintenance
Fee beginning the calendar year after certification. For example, one candidate
earned her CHCM credential during May 2009 and another candidate earned his
during December 2009, both candidates would be invoiced for their 2010 Annual
Maintenance Fees. The Board invoices based on a calendar year basis and not on
the anniversary of earning the credential. The fee will be invoiced to the current
home address of each CHSP credential holder. It is the responsibility of each CHSP
credential holder to notify BCHCM of any address or name changes. Contact the
Board by phone at 205-664-8412 or email: information@chcm-chsp.org Certified
professionals may also fax changes to 205-663-9541 or mail to BCHCM, P.O. Box
515, Helena, Alabama, USA. Annual Maintenance Fee invoices for are sent through
the U.S. Postal Service by November 1 of each year. Payment is due by January 31
and considered late by February 28. Failure to pay the annual maintenance fee,
which is currently $75, can result in the CHSP credential being suspended or revoked
and assessment of a late fee. Upon receipt of the Annual Maintenance Fee by the
Board, each member is sent a wallet card that confirms their continued certification
through December 31 of that year.
Re-Certification Requirements & Continued Certification
Professionals earning the CHSP designation are required to maintain their
certification by completing appropriate continuing education (CE) requirements and
documenting professional practice in hazard control management or another
safety/health related field. CHSP professionals may also elect to take the current
Examination in lieu of completing continuing education. Acceptable continuing
education topics must relate to subjects addressed in the CHSP Exam Outline.
Continuing education requirements established by BCHCM are currently 15 contact
hours annually or 75 contact hours over the five (5) year certification period.
However, current employment in a safety position is not required provided the CHSP
holder can document 20 hours annually or 100 hours over the five (5) year
certification period. Re-certification will be granted automatically for each CHSP
professional submitting a properly completed Re-Certification Summary Report along
with their Annual Maintenance Fee payment for the year in which re-certification is
due. Please note that CHSP professionals due to re-certify must pay any delinquent
Annual Maintenance Fees before re-certification status is granted. BCHCM will
remind CHSP holders about re-certification requirements with the Annual
Maintenance Fee Invoice and in the BCHCM Newsletter.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
The CHSP Examination is offered to all eligible candidates, regardless of age, gender,
race, religion, national origin, marital status or disability. BCHCM does not
discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, national origin, marital
status, or disability.
Scope Of Certification
The CHSP program is not designed to determine who is qualified or who should
engage in healthcare safety practice. The objective of the program is to promote
excellence and upgrade professional practice by documenting individual competency
as measured against a predetermined level of knowledge about healthcare safety.
The CHSP exam competencies are developed by BCHCM with assistance of
healthcare safety and hazard control management professionals.
Use Of The CHSP Credential
Certified professionals are entitled to use title Certified Healthcare Safety
Professional (CHSP) and/or the CHSP credential designation after their names.
Certifications are effective the date the formal certificate is issued. Each successful
candidate will receive a certificate that is suitable for framing, a wallet card, and recertification information in approximately 4-6 weeks after completing the formal
examination. The Board can provide the CHSP credential holder with a sample news
release for use to highlight the achievement.
CHSP Credential Purpose Statement
The purpose of the CHSP credential is to promote excellence and professionalism in
the management of safety, health, hazard control, and environmental programs in
healthcare settings. BCHCM certifies individuals who demonstrate they possess the
knowledge, direct program experience, and expertise through documentation
submitted with a formal application and through reference evaluations. The CHSP
designation provides employers and the public with the confidence that certified
individuals have demonstrated competency on the CHSP Exam.
Rev 07/09