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The American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA)

The American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA) . College Member Board Certification Process. Board Certification for Architects who practice as healthcare specialists in the U.S. and Canada. Recognized by the American Institute of Architects

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The American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA)

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  1. The American College of Healthcare Architects(ACHA) College Member Board Certification Process

  2. Board Certification for Architects who practice as healthcare specialists in the U.S. and Canada • Recognized by the American Institute of Architects as specialty certification program • Began in 1999; close to 400 members • Structure: 1. Founding members (prior to 2001) 2. College members (you!) 3. Fellowship members (5 years exemplary performance and ACHA nominated/elected) 4. Emeritus members (non-practicing Fellows)

  3. ACHA’s Vision • To be the organizational voice of architects with healthcare facility competence • ACHA’s Mission • Credentials: Offer architects Board certification within the specialized field of healthcare architecture • Leadership: Members that advance knowledge and serve the public in matters of HC planning, design, delivery, efficacy • Community: Provide members networking, educational and marketplace opportunities

  4. ACHA’s Milestones

  5. ACHA Guides ACHA Executive Office (913) 895-4604 acha-info@goamp.com http://www.healtharchitects.org

  6. Five Steps to ACHA certification: 1. Meet the Experience requirements • Practice as a Licensed architect for at least 5 years; majority of the applicant’s full-time practice is within the specialty of healthcare facilities for at least 3 of last 5 years • Current license in at least 1 State, U.S. possessions or Canada _______________________________ 2. Complete application 3. Secure (6) Letter of Recommendation (with application) 4. Submit a Portfolio (with application) _______________________________ 5. Pass the Exam

  7. Step 2. Application There are (6) sections: I. General information II. Qualifications (license) III. Experience IV. Previous Practice/Non-traditional practice narrative (optional) V. Reference Letters 3 letters of recommendation from architects not in firm where employed 3 letters of reference from healthcare clients (can be different individuals from the same provider) VI. Portfolio

  8. III. EXPERIENCE D. Project Experience III. EXPERIENCE D. Project Experience III. D EXPERIENCE: Project Experience Sample Section III. Experience

  9. Reference Letters Dear - - - - : Thank you for agreeing to provide me with a letter of recommendation for my application for certification for the American College of Healthcare Architects. The application states that "the letters of reference must contain specific language that indicates the referring architect (or healthcare client)believes theapplicant to be qualified for ACHA Board certification". • Send a request • Set a deadline • Send a draft letter • Follow-up!

  10. January 1, 2010 American College of Healthcare Architects c/o Mary Smith, AIA, LEED AP A1 Architects, Inc. 111 Washington Avenue North Chicago, IL 98765-4321 Subject: Reference Letter for Mary Smith Dear College members: This letter is written as an endorsement for Mary Smith in her membership application to the American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA). Ms. Smith worked with ABCD & Associates as the medical planner for St. John’s Surgery Center Expansion, a 33,600SF, $10 million Surgery Center remodeling project, from fall 2007 through 2008. Ms. Smith works well with the team members that are involved in healthcare work; she understands their needs and works towards the best design solution possible. She is well organized, and is familiar with the many technical details required in hospital design. She ensures that the requirements of applicable codes and regulatory agencies are met. - - - add here or revise the above - - - - In conclusion, I recommend Ms. Smith for membership in the ACHA based on my experience working with her on this project. Sincerely yours, Sample ArchitectReference Letter(consultant)

  11. September 10, 2008 American College of Healthcare Architects c/o Mary Smith, AIA, LEED AP A1 Architects, Inc. 111 Washington Avenue North Chicago, IL 98765-4321 Subject: Reference Letter for Mary Smith Dear College members: This letter is written as an endorsement for Mary Smith in her membership application to the American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA). I have known Mary for the past fifteen years and have had theopportunity to work directly with her on a variety of projects. Ms. Smith works well with the variety of team members that are involved in healthcare work, and is adept at listening to them, understanding their needs, and working towards the best design solution possible. She also ensures that the requirements of applicable codes and regulatory agencies are met. ABC’s Healthcare campus presented a complex mix of providers; Mary’s healthcare knowledge and dedicated efforts contributed to the successful completion of this project starting with local governance submittals through construction administration, and finishing with post-occupancy evaluations. In conclusion, Ms. Smith is well qualified for ACHA Board certification, and I recommend her for membership based on my experience working with her. Sincerely yours, Sample ArchitectReference Letter(former co-worker)

  12. 3. Portfolio • Include no more than (9 ) projects from past 5 years (if projects are older than 5 years submit and attach an explanation) • Acceptable to use marketing project sheets, project plans and photographs • Intent: A demonstration of your knowledge/healthcare facility competence • Sample of portfolio is available on-line: go to http://www.healtharchitects.organd click on “Certification” then click on application/study materials

  13. Sample Portfolio sheet

  14. Sample Portfolio sheet

  15. Sample Portfolio sheet

  16. Completed Applications Submit: A.(1)Copy of original application & portfolio bound in 8 ½” X 11” loose-leaf format B. (1)CD containing all of the application and portfolio pages saved in Adobe .pdf Fees: $150 Application; $250 Exam

  17. Application Deadlines Application deadline is (60) days prior to Exam dates March Examination Cycle Application Deadline: December 31 Exam dates: March 1 thru 31st June Examination Cycle: Application Deadline: March 31 Exam dates: June 1 thru June 30th September Examination Cycle Application Deadline: June 30 Exam dates: September 1 thru 30th

  18. 4. Exam Preparation Upon acceptance of application, the ACHA Executive Office sends via e-mail examination scheduling instructions Eligible Candidates have (1) year to take the examination Candidate Handbook: All about the Exam (reading list) ACHA Planning & Programming Workshops (check website) Practice Exam (50) questions; $50 http://www.healtharchitects.org Find a mentor; contact the ACHA office

  19. Exam Content Areas 1. Planning 20 2. Programming 19 3. Design 27 4. Documentation 17 5. Construction Admin 11 6. Post Construction 6 Total: 100 questions

  20. Exam Resource List • Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities Facility Guidelines Institute, American Institute of Architects, Academy of Architecture for Health., current edition. • National Fire Protection Association. Specific codes and standards include: NFPA 101: Life Safety Code current edition. • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities. 36 CFR 1191, Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, current edition • Planning, Design, and Construction of Health Care Facilities, Joint Commission Resources, Oakbrook Terrace, IL, current edition As listed on the ACHA Website: http://www.healtharchitects.org

  21. Planning and Programming Planning & Programming: 39% of the Exam! Planning Strategic Planning Feasibility Site and Facilities Master Planning Programming Program (multipliers) NSF to DGSF to BGSF Adjacency of Departments Work Flow & Process Industry standards and direction

  22. Design and Documentation Design Facilities Code Research Space Requirements and Adjacencies Room Data Sheets Equipment Planning Documentation Contracts Construction Documents Specifications

  23. Construction Admin and Post Construction Construction Administration Government Review Issue Changes Review Owner Provided Equipment Post Construction Services Commissioning Post Occupancy Evaluation Research and Development

  24. 4. Exam Preparation Helpful hints . . . • Read questions carefully to decipher what is being asked prior to reading answers • All questions are based on the Detailed Content Outline in the Candidate Handbook • ACHA Website (go to: home/application/study materials) “Helpful hints for the ACHA Exam”

  25. Exam Format • 110 questions (10 not scored) (The 10 not scored are being tested prior to their use in future exams; data is collected on number of correct answers over 1 year of exams) • All Options (A, B, C, D) are plausible • (2) hour time limit • Score automatically generated after hitting ‘send’ !

  26. Question Types Recall/recognition of specific factual information 20 Application: comprehension, interpretation or manipulation of concepts or data; basic calculations or finding relationships between concepts 45 Analysis: integration of a variety of concepts to solve a problem; an understanding of the variables will provide the correct answer 35 Total: 100

  27. Exam Question 1 When considering the design for information systems in any inpatient or outpatient healthcare project, the acronym EMR refers to: A. Equipment Management Roster B. Electronic Medical Record C. Emergency Medical Response D. Electrical Maintenance Report

  28. Exam Question 2 Which of the following design criteria is LEAST important in planning a pediatric critical care unit? A. Visibility of the Patient B. Ability to Accommodate Patient Families C. Access to Patient Toilets D. Ability to Accommodate Crisis Interventions

  29. Exam Question 3 The frozen section component of a laboratory is often located in close proximity to which of the following? • Blood Bank • Surgery • Imaging • Emergency

  30. Exam Question 4 According to the Life Safety Code, which of the following conditions is NOT required to allow occupancy of new construction or an existing building that is in violation of the Life Safety Code? • A. A plan of correction has been approved. • B. A fire watch has been instituted. • C. The occupancy classification remains the same. • No serious life safety hazard exists as judged by • the AHJ.

  31. Exam Question 5 The Emergency Dept. staff have stated that they do not have sufficient space as evidenced by patients and equipment located in the corridor. The architect should first A. review volume and capacity data B. study expansion options C. propose fast track care unit D. assess clinical decision unit length of stay

  32. Exam Question 6 In the programming analysis of spaces in a hospital, which of the following conditions present the most significant operational challenges? 1. Surgery separated from SICU 2. C-section separated from OB Unit 3. Pathology separated from Surgery 4. Emergency separated from Imaging • 1, 2, and 3 only • 1, 2, and 4 only • C. 1, 3, and 4 only • D. 2, 3, and 4 only

  33. Exam Question 7 A common departmental adjacency relationship would be to locate a Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) adjacent to which of the followingdepartments: A. Surgery B. Medical records C. Emergency D. Nursing units

  34. Exam Question 8 Which is one of the most dynamic components for staffing of a 125 bed suburban community hospital due to cyclical demand? A. intensive care B. emergency C. ambulatory surgery D. imaging

  35. Exam Question 9 When designed a rural Critical Access Hospital, which of the following is the most important aspect of the plan? A. Efficient use of professional staff B. Lower maintenance costs C. Outpatient access D. Helipad location on site

  36. Exam Question 10 Per the Guidelines negative air pressure is found in which of the following rooms? 1. Emergency Triage Room 2. Emergency Waiting Room 3. Operating Rooms 4. Patient Toilet Room A. 1, 2, and 3 only B. 1, 2, and 4 only C. 1, 3, and 4 only D. 2, 3, and 4 only

  37. Exam Question 11 Nuclear Imaging scans typically allow observations of which of the following? • Brain activity thru electronic physiological • monitoring • B. Ambulatory EKG recorded over a 24 hour period • C. EEG & EKG monitoring via both video & audio • monitoring • D. Cardiovascular performance through monitoring • & SPECT (single proton emission computed tomography)

  38. Exam Question 12 Vibration considerations must be usually considered in the ceiling mounted equipment for which types of surgery? 1. Neurological 2. Ophthalmic 3. Oral 4. Cardiovascular A. 3 and 4 only B. 2 and 4 only C. 1 and 2 only D. 1 and 3 only

  39. Exam Question 13 What is the maximum allowable area for a smoke compartment in a hospital? A. 21,500 B. 22,000 C. 22,500 D. 23,000

  40. Exam Question 14 An existing two-story hospital is adding more patient beds. When preparing an analysis to determine whether to expand vertically or horizontally, which of the following should be done first? A. Evaluate potential disruptions. B. Confirm the existing structural capacity. C. Determine exiting requirements. D. Analyze sharing of utility services.

  41. Exam Question 15 At the completion of a large project to provide inpatient beds, all the final project documents have been collected. The air balance for bone marrow transplant patient rooms is neutral with 12 air changes per hour. The architect should instruct the contractor to A. decrease air changes. B. adjust for positive air balance. C. adjust for negative air balance. D. increase air changes.

  42. Continuing Education • Passing the test: (20) HSW AIA CEU’s • ACHA Members are required to maintain (18) CEU/year; (12) hours must be healthcare related • The AIA CEU form is acceptable for submission

  43. Questions ? ACHA Executive Office (913) 895-4604 acha-info@goamp.com http://www.healtharchitects.org

  44. Sample Question Answers 1. B 2. C 3. B 4. B 5. A 6. B 7. C 8. B 9. A 10. B 11. D 12. C 13. C 14. B 15. B

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