The The American CollegeAmerican College
of of Healthcare Architects Healthcare Architects
(ACHA) (ACHA)
College MemberCollege MemberBoard Certification ProcessBoard Certification Process
Board Certification for Architects Board Certification for Architects who practice as healthcare who practice as healthcare
specialists in the U.S. and Canadaspecialists 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)
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
ACHA GuidesACHA Guides
ACHA Executive OfficeACHA Executive Office
(913) 895-4604(913) 895-4604
http://www.healtharchitects.orghttp://www.healtharchitects.org
Five Steps to ACHA certification:Five Steps to ACHA certification:
1. Meet the Experience requirements1. Meet the Experience requirements
Practice as a Licensed architect for at least Practice as a Licensed architect for at least 55 years; majority of years; majority of the applicant’s full-time practice is within the specialty of the applicant’s full-time practice is within the specialty of healthcare facilities for at least healthcare facilities for at least 33 of last of last 55 years years
Current license in at least Current license in at least 11 State, U.S. possessions or Canada State, U.S. possessions or Canada ______________________________________________________________
2. Complete application2. Complete application
3. Secure (6) Letter of Recommendation (with application)3. Secure (6) Letter of Recommendation (with application)
4. Submit a Portfolio (with application)4. Submit a Portfolio (with application) ______________________________________________________________
5. Pass the Exam 5. Pass the Exam
Step 2. ApplicationStep 2. Application There are (6) sections:There are (6) sections:
I. General information I. General information II. Qualifications (license)II. Qualifications (license) III. ExperienceIII. Experience IV. Previous Practice/Non-traditional practice IV. Previous Practice/Non-traditional practice
narrativenarrative (optional)(optional)
V. Reference LettersV. Reference Letters 3 3 letters of recommendation from architects not letters of recommendation from architects not
in firm where employedin firm where employed 33 letters of reference from healthcare clients (can letters of reference from healthcare clients (can
be different individuals from the same provider)be different individuals from the same provider)
VI. PortfolioVI. Portfolio
III. EXPERIENCED. Project ExperienceIII. EXPERIENCED. Project Experience
III. D EXPERIENCE: Project Experience
Project Name/LocationDescribe Your Role
Phone Number and Position of Project Contact
Date of ProjectCompletion
Total Cost:Construction (C) Project (P)
Meriter HospitalMadison, WI
Medical Planner
Gerard Rabas P.E.,Construction ManagerMeriter HospitalMadison, WI 53715608-267-6572
Est. 2012 (C) $45.5 million (several projects)(P) $61.5 million
Mercy Health SystemWalworth Medical Center Expansion,Walworth, WI
Medical Planner
David Kurtz, Vice President1000 Mineral Point AvenueP.O. Box 503Janesville, WI 53547
Est. 2010 (C) $50 million(P) $65 million
St. Luke’s Iowa Health System Surgery Center,Sioux City, IA
Medical PlannerProject Architect
John GreenDirector Facilities & EngineeringSt. Luke’s Regional Medical CenterSioux City, IA 712-279-3536
Est. Dec. 2009
(C) $9.8 million (P) $12.25 million
Owatonna Hospital and Clinc ExpansionOwatonna, MN
Medical Planner
David AlbrechtDirector Operations & FinanceAllina Health SystemOwatonna, MN507-455-7646
Est. Dec. 2009
(C) $46 million (P) $58.5 million
University of Minnesota Veterinary Imaging Medical Center,St. Paul, MN
Project ManagerProject ArchitectConstruction Administration
Pete Nickel, Project ManagerCapital Planning & Project ManagementUniversity of Minnesota,Minneapolis, MN612-626-0861
January 2008
(C) $1.6 million (P) $3.0 million
Sample Section III. Sample Section III. ExperienceExperience
Reference Letters Reference Letters
Dear - - - - :Dear - - - - :
Thank you for agreeing to provide me with a letter of Thank you for agreeing to provide me with a letter of recommendation for my application for recommendation for my application for certification for the American College of Healthcare certification for the American College of Healthcare Architects.Architects.
The application states that The application states that "the letters of reference "the letters of reference must contain specific language that indicates must contain specific language that indicates the referring architect (or healthcare client)the referring architect (or healthcare client) believes believes thethe applicant to be qualified for ACHA Board applicant to be qualified for ACHA Board certification".certification".
Send a requestSend a request Set a deadlineSet a deadline Send a draft letterSend a draft letter Follow-up!Follow-up!
Sample ArchitectSample ArchitectReference LetterReference Letter
(consultant)(consultant)
January 1, 2010
American College of Healthcare Architectsc/o Mary Smith, AIA, LEED APA1 Architects, Inc.111 Washington Avenue NorthChicago, 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 ArchitectSample ArchitectReference LetterReference Letter
(former co-worker)(former co-worker)
September 10, 2008
American College of Healthcare Architectsc/o Mary Smith, AIA, LEED APA1 Architects, Inc.111 Washington Avenue NorthChicago, 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 the opportunity 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,
3. Portfolio3. Portfolio
Include no more than (Include no more than (99 ) projects from past ) projects from past 55 years (if years (if projects are older than 5 years submit and attach an projects are older than 5 years submit and attach an explanation)explanation)
Acceptable to use marketing project sheets, project Acceptable to use marketing project sheets, project plans and photographsplans and photographs
Intent: A demonstration of your knowledge/healthcare Intent: A demonstration of your knowledge/healthcare facility competencefacility competence
Sample of portfolio is available on-line: Sample of portfolio is available on-line: go to go to http://www.healtharchitects.org and click and click
onon “ “Certification” then click on application/study Certification” then click on application/study
materialsmaterials
Completed Applications Completed Applications
Submit:Submit:
A.A. (1)(1) Copy of original application & Copy of original application & portfolio portfolio
bound in 8 ½” X 11” loose-leaf formatbound in 8 ½” X 11” loose-leaf format
B. B. (1)(1) CD containing all of the CD containing all of the application andapplication and
portfolio pages saved in Adobe .pdf portfolio pages saved in Adobe .pdf
Fees: Fees: $150 Application; $250 Exam$150 Application; $250 Exam
Application DeadlinesApplication Deadlines
Application deadline is (60) days prior to Exam Application deadline is (60) days prior to Exam datesdates
March Examination Cycle March Examination Cycle
Application Deadline: December 31Application Deadline: December 31Exam dates: March 1 thru 31stExam dates: March 1 thru 31st
June Examination Cycle:June Examination Cycle:
Application Deadline: March 31Application Deadline: March 31 Exam dates: June 1 thru June 30Exam dates: June 1 thru June 30thth
September Examination CycleSeptember Examination Cycle
Application Deadline: June 30Application Deadline: June 30 Exam dates: September 1 thru 30thExam dates: September 1 thru 30th
4. Exam Preparation4. Exam Preparation
Upon acceptance of application, the ACHA Executive Upon acceptance of application, the ACHA Executive Office sends via e-mail examination scheduling Office sends via e-mail examination scheduling instructionsinstructions
Eligible Candidates have (1) year to take the examinationEligible Candidates have (1) year to take the examination
Candidate Handbook: All about the Exam (reading list)Candidate Handbook: All about the Exam (reading list)
ACHA Planning & ProgrammingACHA Planning & Programming Workshops (check website)Workshops (check website)
Practice Exam (50) questions; $50Practice Exam (50) questions; $50 http://www.healtharchitects.org
Find a mentor; contact theFind a mentor; contact the ACHA officeACHA office
Exam Content AreasExam Content Areas
1. Planning 1. Planning 20202. Programming 2. Programming 19193. Design 3. Design 27 27 4. Documentation4. Documentation 17 17 5. Construction Admin 11 5. Construction Admin 11 6. Post Construction6. Post Construction 6 6
Total:Total: 100 100 questionsquestions
Exam Resource List 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.orghttp://www.healtharchitects.org
Planning and Planning and ProgrammingProgramming
Planning & Programming: 39% of the Exam!Planning & Programming: 39% of the Exam!
PlanningPlanning Strategic PlanningStrategic Planning FeasibilityFeasibility Site and Facilities Master Planning Site and Facilities Master Planning
ProgrammingProgramming Program (multipliers) NSF to DGSF to BGSFProgram (multipliers) NSF to DGSF to BGSF Adjacency of DepartmentsAdjacency of Departments Work Flow & ProcessWork Flow & Process Industry standards and directionIndustry standards and direction
Design and Design and DocumentationDocumentation
DesignDesign Facilities Code ResearchFacilities Code Research Space Requirements and AdjacenciesSpace Requirements and Adjacencies Room Data SheetsRoom Data Sheets Equipment PlanningEquipment Planning
DocumentationDocumentation ContractsContracts Construction DocumentsConstruction Documents SpecificationsSpecifications
Construction Admin and Construction Admin and Post ConstructionPost Construction
Construction AdministrationConstruction Administration Government ReviewGovernment Review Issue Changes Issue Changes Review Owner Provided EquipmentReview Owner Provided Equipment
Post Construction ServicesPost Construction Services CommissioningCommissioning Post Occupancy EvaluationPost Occupancy Evaluation Research and DevelopmentResearch and Development
4. Exam Preparation4. Exam Preparation
Helpful hints . . . Helpful hints . . .
Read questions carefully to decipher what is being Read questions carefully to decipher what is being asked prior to reading answersasked prior to reading answers
All questions are based on the Detailed Content All questions are based on the Detailed Content Outline in the Candidate HandbookOutline in the Candidate Handbook
ACHA Website (go to: home/application/study ACHA Website (go to: home/application/study materials)materials)
“ “Helpful hints for the ACHA Exam”Helpful hints for the ACHA Exam”
Exam FormatExam Format 110 questions (10 not scored)110 questions (10 not scored)
(The 10 not scored are being tested prior to (The 10 not scored are being tested prior to their use in future exams; data is collected on their use in future exams; data is collected on number of correct answers over 1 year of number of correct answers over 1 year of exams)exams)
All Options (A, B, C, D) are plausibleAll Options (A, B, C, D) are plausible
(2) hour time limit(2) hour time limit
Score automatically generated after hitting Score automatically generated after hitting ‘send’ !‘send’ !
Question TypesQuestion Types
Recall/recognitionRecall/recognition of specific factual information of specific factual information 20 20
ApplicationApplication: comprehension, interpretation or: comprehension, interpretation or manipulation of concepts or data; basic calculationsmanipulation of concepts or data; basic calculations or finding relationships between conceptsor finding relationships between concepts 45 45
Analysis:Analysis: integration of a variety of concepts to solve integration of a variety of concepts to solve a problem; an understanding of the variables willa problem; an understanding of the variables will provide the correct answerprovide the correct answer 3535
Total:Total: 100 100
When considering the design for When considering the design for information systems in any information systems in any inpatient or outpatient healthcare inpatient or outpatient healthcare project, the acronym EMR refers project, the acronym EMR refers to:to:
A. Equipment Management RosterA. Equipment Management Roster
B. Electronic Medical RecordB. Electronic Medical Record
C. Emergency Medical ResponseC. Emergency Medical Response
D. Electrical Maintenance Report D. Electrical Maintenance Report
Exam Question 1Exam Question 1
Which of the following design Which of the following design criteria is LEAST important in criteria is LEAST important in
planning a pediatric critical care planning a pediatric critical care unit?unit?
A. Visibility of the PatientA. Visibility of the Patient
B. Ability to Accommodate Patient B. Ability to Accommodate Patient FamiliesFamilies
C. Access to Patient ToiletsC. Access to Patient Toilets
D. Ability to Accommodate CrisisD. Ability to Accommodate Crisis
InterventionsInterventions
Exam Question 2Exam Question 2
Exam Question 3Exam Question 3The frozen section component of a The frozen section component of a laboratory is often located in close laboratory is often located in close proximity to which of the proximity to which of the following?following?
A.A. Blood BankBlood BankB.B. SurgerySurgeryC.C. ImagingImagingD.D. Emergency Emergency
Exam Question 4Exam Question 4According 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. D. No serious life safety hazard exists as
judged by the AHJ.
Exam Question 5Exam Question 5The 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 dataB. study expansion optionsC. propose fast track care unit D. assess clinical decision unit length of stay
Exam Question 6Exam Question 6In 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
A. 1, 2, and 3 only B. 1, 2, and 4 onlyC. 1, 3, and 4 only D. 2, 3, and 4 only
Exam Question 7Exam Question 7A common departmental adjacency relationship would be to locate a Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) adjacent to which of the following
departments: A. SurgeryB. Medical recordsC. EmergencyD. Nursing units
Exam Question 8Exam 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 surgeryD. imaging
Exam Question 9Exam Question 9When 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 costsC. Outpatient accessD. Helipad location on site
Exam Question 10Exam Question 10Per the Guidelines negative air pressure is found in which of the following rooms?
1. Emergency Triage Room2. Emergency Waiting Room 3. Operating Rooms4. Patient Toilet Room
A. 1, 2, and 3 only B. 1, 2, and 4 onlyC. 1, 3, and 4 only D. 2, 3, and 4 only
Exam Question 11Exam Question 11Nuclear Imaging scans typically allow observations of which of the following? A. Brain activity thru electronic physiological monitoringB. Ambulatory EKG recorded over a 24 hour
periodC. EEG & EKG monitoring via both video &
audio monitoring D. Cardiovascular performance through
monitoring & SPECT (single proton emission computed
tomography)
Exam Question 12Exam Question 12Vibration considerations must be usually considered in the ceiling mounted equipment for which types of surgery?
1. Neurological2. Ophthalmic3. Oral 4. Cardiovascular
A. 3 and 4 onlyB. 2 and 4 onlyC. 1 and 2 only
D. 1 and 3 only
Exam Question 13Exam Question 13
What is the maximum allowable area for a smoke compartment in a hospital?
A. 21,500B. 22,000C. 22,500D. 23,000
Exam Question 14Exam Question 14An existing two-story hospital is adding more patient beds. When preparing an analysis to determine whether to expand vertically or horizontally, which of thefollowing should be done first?
A. Evaluate potential disruptions.B. Confirm the existing structural capacity.C. Determine exiting requirements.D. Analyze sharing of utility services.
Exam Question 15Exam Question 15At 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 shouldinstruct the contractor to
A. decrease air changes.B. adjust for positive air balance.C. adjust for negative air balance.D. increase air changes.
Continuing EducationContinuing Education
Passing the test: (20) HSW AIA CEU’sPassing the test: (20) HSW AIA CEU’s
ACHA Members are required to maintain (18) ACHA Members are required to maintain (18) CEU/year; (12) hours must be healthcare related CEU/year; (12) hours must be healthcare related
The AIA CEU form is acceptable for submissionThe AIA CEU form is acceptable for submission
Questions ?Questions ?
ACHA Executive OfficeACHA Executive Office
(913) 895-4604(913) 895-4604
http://www.healtharchitects.orghttp://www.healtharchitects.org