Chester County Hospital's Security Department has been recognized as a Program of Distinction by the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS). It is only the second hospital in Pennsylvania and one of just 36 hospitals in the United States to achieve this honor.
To attain this recognition, 70 percent of the hospital’s security officers, managers and directors needed to study and successfully pass IAHSS' intensive certification examination. This 100-question exam requires a score of 70% or higher to pass, and participants are only given 90 minutes to complete the test. Recertification is required every two years.
Passing the exam is an individual achievement, but earning the Program of Distinction is a collaborative effort. Seventeen officers in the department have earned their credentials in either the basic, advanced, supervisor or CHPA (Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator) levels. “It shows dedication, and it represents pride in our department,” says Security Manager John H. Mullin, Jr., CHPA, CHSS. “This is a difficult exam and preparing for and achieving the certification is one of many methods which combine to make our team stronger. It gives them a deeper understanding of the thought process for security, management, preparedness and safety.”
Mullin himself is one of only a few hundred in the country who has earned the CHPA certification. This achievement requires the completion of a three-hour, 200-question test and then recertification every three years.
“My goal is to keep our hospital’s designation and my team’s individual certifications up-to-date. I think this accomplishment supports the hospital’s culture of excellence, and it has made my officers better prepared to do their jobs,” Mullin adds. Officers are trained for their roles when they begin their job at Chester County Hospital. The IAHSS certification backs up that training by providing education about the thought process behind the important role Security Officers perform at the hospital.
The security team will be honored and congratulated at a special ceremony on April 14. Several leaders from IAHSS will be traveling to attend this ceremony. Martin Green, IAHSS President, will be coming from Toronto, Canada to present the award. “We’re a dedicated team. It has taken us years to reach this achievement, and it’s an honor to be recognized,” Mullin says.
Certification was earned by: Bob Barry, John Felicetti, Clint Fetterman, Jim George, Sam Kinnard, Pat McWilliams, John Mullin, Jr., Kyle Schiltz, Sean Shannon, Martin Siwula, Alex Soutos, Ken Thompson, Matt Wade and Laura Wentzel. Jay Buckalew, now retired, will be recognized and the late Jack Lister will be honored posthumously.