PLAINFIELD, IL – In response to an increase in the number of healthcare facilities applying for accreditation, the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) is seeking to add to its roster of inspectors. HLAC is the nonprofit organization that inspects and accredits laundries processing textiles for hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities
Interested individuals should visit HLAC’s website, www.hlacnet.org; review the Inspector Agreement; and complete the HLAC Inspector Application, which is due October 2, 2017.
An HLAC inspector is an independent contractor – a laundry and textile professional with wide-ranging experience – whose sole responsibility is to conduct a one-day, on-sight inspection of a healthcare laundry seeking HLAC accreditation. The inspection is conducted according to predetermined Standards and involves a thorough review of the applicant laundry’s processes – its systems and procedures for ensuring that product being shipped from the laundry is delivered to healthcare partners in a hygienically clean manner that adheres to professionally recognized infection prevention and control policies..
Inspectors receive in-depth training of HLAC Standards and inspection guidelines before they begin their work, according to John Scherberger, president of HLAC’s board of directors.
“The healthcare industry has realized the importance of having proper textile care as part of infection prevention strategy,” Scherberger said. “Increasingly, we’re hearing that HLAC accreditation is considered a requirement to be considered a healthcare laundry vendor. The increase in applications activity bears this out.”
“This is a good opportunity for the qualified individual with the skill and integrity to make a difference,” he said.
Inspectors are not HLAC employees. As independent contractors, they are paid per the inspection plus they are reimbursed for their travel expenses. Applicants are encouraged to address with their employer the necessary time away from the office (one to three days a month) to conduct inspections.
Individuals chosen as HLAC inspectors must attend a mandatory Inspectors Training session on November 13, 2017. For more information, contact HLAC Executive Director Regina Baras, rbaras@hlacnet.org, or call 855-277-HLAC (4522)
