EXHIBIT 31.1

                  CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                           PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)

     I, Gary D. Blackford, certify that:

     1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Universal Hospital
Services, Inc.; and

     2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were
made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report.

     3. [intentionally omitted]

     4. [intentionally omitted]

     5. [intentionally omitted]

Date: April 7, 2004

                                      /s/ Gary D. Blackford
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Gary D. Blackford
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer