By Bartholomew Jae, Contributing Writer

Healthcare facility managers are responsible for safety, compliance and efficiency in environments where every decision can impact lives. They are responsible for ensuring that medical facilities operate seamlessly and meet the highest standards of care and safety. 

Healthcare facilities must meet minimum standards for building life safety, electrical safety and fire protection to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. As facilities and hazards from life safety inspections to emergency preparedness continue to evolve, managers’ roles demand constant education and expertise. 

During the recent COVID-19 global pandemic, healthcare facilities saw a significant increase in medical gas use and many temporarily converted facilities from other uses to serve overflowing healthcare needs. These sudden changes created a new set of life safety and fire protection challenges that facility managers had to quickly learn and address. 

As the responsibilities of healthcare facility managers grow more complex with the integration of new technologies, evolving codes and expanding safety protocols, training methods must adapt to prepare them for these challenges. While traditional in-person training continues to hold value for those who prefer structured, classroom-style learning, many managers are turning to digital and on-demand training options. These formats offer unique benefits, including increased flexibility, around-the-clock access to critical information and the ability to learn at an individual pace. 

Dynamic roles need dynamic training 

The role of a healthcare facilities manager is anything but stagnant. They must juggle a variety of tasks on any given day. These tasks include: staying up to date on the latest codes and standards — including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 99 and Health Care Facilities Code — enforced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; developing emergency preparedness plans; and ensuring fire protection systems, emergency power systems and other critical infrastructure components are regularly inspected, tested and functioning properly. Any healthcare facility undergoing construction or rehabilitation also encounters complex schedules of ever-changing hazards and protection measures. 

These dynamic responsibilities require not just technical expertise but the ability to quickly absorb and implement new knowledge, making continuous training a critical part of their roles. Digital training platforms provide healthcare facilities managers with virtual access to essential educational resources from anywhere, across multiple devices. In the spectrum of digital training, on-demand learning stands out by allowing managers to access training materials at their own convenience, without being tied to the fixed schedules that come with live sessions. 

On-demand training platforms provide managers with such features as the ability to pause, adjust playback speed for detailed notetaking and revisit critical learning modules at a moment’s notice. This flexibility ensures they remain confident in their knowledge and preparedness to act swiftly in the event of an emergency, especially in high-pressure situations. By enabling managers to seamlessly balance professional development with their daily responsibilities, on-demand training minimizes disruptions to operational efficiency while maximizing the effectiveness of their learning experiences. 

Enhancing emergency preparedness 

In the event of a crisis, such as a fire or power outage, the preparedness of healthcare facility managers can be the difference between chaos and effective, organized response. Emergency preparedness serves as the cornerstone for proper healthcare facility management, requiring a comprehensive understanding of all protocols and systems to keep people and properties safe. 

On-demand training modules dedicated to emergency planning equip managers with the knowledge and confidence to make decisive decisions in these critical moments. One of the most valuable features is the ability to return to sessions covering emergency response and procedures anytime they need a refresher or want to update their plans, or to use supporting interactive features that are only available in digital formats. 

The ability to train frequently through digital means also helps managers to train their emergency response skills and be ready for incidents. The accessibility provided by on-demand training allows healthcare managers to consistently prioritize education to act confidently during high-stake situations. 

Training that fits schedules 

For healthcare facilities managers, time is a precious resource. Their days are filled with tasks like inspections, incident management and team coordination, making it challenging for some managers to participate in traditional, highly structured training programs. Yet with so many issues to stay on top of, making time for upskilling is a non-negotiable for success in this role. On-demand training allows managers to access content at their convenience with supporting features to optimize learning. 

Instead of taking time away from critical operations, managers can engage in training during downtime, after shifts or whenever schedules allow. The ability to pause, replay and revisit courses ensures managers can absorb information at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed or tied to a strict schedule. 

There is a growing focus on training and professional development among skilled workers, according to “Training for Tomorrow: Preparing FMs for Emerging Challenges,” the recent 2025 Industry trends survey from the NFPA. These workers include those in healthcare facility management, with 54 percent of respondents planning to increase their participation in training sessions in 2025. 

Additional survey data revealed a lack of training or knowledge as a key barrier to adopting new technologies in 2025, cited by 25 percent of respondents. On-demand training not only equips managers with the expertise needed to integrate changes to standards and requirements and emerging best practices quickly and widely into their operations. It also ensures they can do so at their own pace, reducing the burden of learning while on the job. The ability to re-engage with key sessions also helps managers maintain their knowledge long after the initial training. 

As healthcare facilities evolve, so must the training methods that support their teams. On-demand training serves as a forward-thinking solution that meets the upskilling needs of managers. As challenges change, such as hazards, regulation requirements and leading practices, on-demand digital training helps organizations to train as many people as efficiently and consistently as possible. 

In high-stakes healthcare environments where knowledge and preparation can prevent catastrophe, the accessibility offered through on-demand training cannot be overstated. By empowering healthcare facilities managers to learn at their own pace, revisit critical learning modules and stay ahead of evolving requirements, on-demand training is not just a convenience but a necessity. 

Bartholomew Jae is director of education and development at NFPA.