Introducing the all new HEAS: Healthcare Ergonomics Assessment Specialist Certification. A 10-hour full audio/video on-demand online certification.

The Healthcare Ergonomics course will allow the learner to identify as well as resolve the common ergonomics risk factors facing Healthcare Workers today. Gain a fundamental understanding of general ergonomics principles and learn to create and implement a proactive ergonomics plan. Also see some real world "before and after" examples in some of healthcare's most challenging settings. 

Learners will also gain an understanding of a number of common ergonomics assessment tools (WISHA, NIOSH Lifting Formula, RULA, REBA, and Snook Psychophysical Tables).

This program also provides all of the components for creating an evidence-based, successful Safe Patient Handling Program as well as instructing on best practices for potentially problematic areas such as Central Processing, Housekeeping, and the use of Linen and Trash Carts.
 
Finally, this course will instruct you on implementing a culture of safety while understanding the use of a cost benefit analyses to illustrate positive ROI.

The time frame for completing the online course is 90 days for each participant. 10 Contact Hours CE.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • Explain how common musculoskeletal injuries occur and the ergonomics risk factors facing healthcare workers

  • Assess the use various ergonomics assessment tools to identify risk

  • Apply ergonomics principles and solutions in the healthcare setting

  • Describe the basics for teaching healthcare practitioners about ergonomics 

  • Analyze the steps for implementing a safe patient handling program including customary equipment and best work practices

  • Apply an enhanced understanding regarding the redesigning of work spaces in healthcare

  • Produce how to prepare a Return on Investment (ROI) report

Browser Compatibility

Currently our online certifications work best with the FireFox browser which can be downloaded for free HERE. 

*CEUs:

This course is currently pre-approved for Continuing Education CEs by the BOC. The Back School is also an AOTA Approved Provider (#4849) and is authorized to offer AOTA  10 contact hours for this class. AOTA Classification Codes: Category 1: Domain of OT & Category 2: Occupational Therapy Process. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA

This and many of our courses are currently or have in the past been pre-approved for continuing education credit by most state PT boards. Other specialties/professional disciplines should be able to submit for individual credit but it is important for you to contact your state licensing board or professional credentialing board for information regarding policies and the amount of continuing education credits allowed for online courses.

COURSE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

View the Workshop Presentation Modules. Take and pass a 50-question exam with a 90% correct score. Complete two sample Ergonomics Assessments case studies (one front office job and one patient transfer job) by using the provided ergonomics assessment tools.

ABOUT CERTIFICATION

Grants HEAS Certification

Who Should Register

PTs, PTAs, PT Students, OTs, OTAs, OT Students, CHTs, ATs, RNs, NPsCertified Safety Professionals, Risk Managers, Claims Managers, Safety Committee MembersHuman Resources Professionals, Industrial Engineers, Industrial Hygienists, ErgonomistsAthletic Trainers, Chiropractors, Office Furniture Sales and anyone wanting to learn how to decrease risk of onsite employee injury and increase employee productivity and satisfaction.

THESE COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS ARE FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. BY REGISTERING YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE FOR THIS COURSE YOU AGREE THAT YOU WILL NOT SHARE THESE MATERIALS WITH ANY THIRD PARTY.

REFUND POLICY

Refunds are not available for distance learning courses.

Testimonial

"Overall good summary that spurred some new thinking, Thanks."

D.M., PT, CEAS, SLC, UT

Testimonial

"Thorough and concise. The learning videos were clear and helpful regarding equipment to decrease the physical stress of working."

K.H., OTR/L, Martinez, CA

Danielle Barzoloski, MPT, CPE

Danielle Barzoloski, MPT, CPE

Danielle Barzoloski is a physical therapist and board certified professional ergonomist. She has over 20 years of experience in occupational health and injury prevention. Her clinical expertise is in work related musculoskeletal injuries and she has an extensive knowledge base in performing functional capacity evaluations, work hardening, pre-employment screens and ergonomic evaluations.

Since 1998 she has worked for a large multi-campus medical center performing ergonomic evaluations, injuring prevention services and assisting in the return to work process. She currently manages the ergonomics programs for several medical centers, a physician network and an allied health university within this healthcare system. Her healthcare ergonomics experience has included patient handling, laboratory, pharmacy, dietary, environmental services, engineering as well as office ergonomics.

Danielle is a graduate of the University of California, San Francisco/San Francisco State University Physical Therapy Program and is a member of the APTA and the Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals. She is a guest lecturer at Samuel Merritt University in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program.

MODULE 1: BASICS

  • Defining ergonomics and human factors
  • How do common RMD/MSD repetitive motion disorders/musculoskeletal disorders occur?
  • Primary risk factors for ergonomics injuries
  • Basic ergonomics solutions

MODULE 2: BEYOND BASICS

  • Understanding engineering, administrative and work practice control measures in ergonomics
  • OSHA's four steps to a proactive action plan
  • Examples of ergonomics improvements for the healthcare environment

MODULE 3: COMMON ASSESSMENT TOOLS

  • Common ergonomics assessment tools
  • WISHA and Revised NIOSH Lifting Formula
  • Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)
  • Liberty Mutual/ Snook manual material handling tables

MODULE 4: COMPUTER WORKSTATIONS

  • Office ergonomics worksite analysis 
  • Chair, workstation and monitor adjustment
  • Ergonomics tips for (EHR) electronic health records

MODULE 5: PATIENT HANDLING

  • Risks in patient handling
  • Contributing factors to high rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) in healthcare 
  • Patient handling equipment review
  • Creating a safe patient handling program

MODULE 6: ERGONOMICS FOR SONOGRAPHERS

  • Ergonomics risks unique to sonography
  • Tips for reducing and eliminating ergonomics risks for sonographers

MODULE 7: ERGONOMICS FOR PHLEBOTOMISTS

  • Ergonomics risks unique to Phlebotomy
  • Tips for reducing and eliminating ergonomics risks for Phlebotomists

MODULE 8: MANUAL MATERIAL HANDLING IN HEALTHCARE

  • Manual material handling (MMH) for healthcare environments
  • Correct/incorrect body positioning
  • Assistive equipment solutions/options to reduce MMH risks

MODULE 9: COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS

  • Cost benefit analysis for ergonomics improvements in healthcare
  • Return on investment (ROI) using various assumptions for reduction in Worker's Compensation claims cost