Environmental Health & Safety Officer

Overview

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Officer is responsible for the standards set forth by the Central Health Enterprise-wide Safety Architecture and ensure that plans are continuously updated and reviewed by appropriate team members to ensure the organization is ensuring safety for both employees and patients in clinical and other system settings.EHS Officer develops, coordinate, evaluate, and execute policies and procedures that will ensure the health and safety of team members, clinicians, and patients. In accordance with regulatory mandates, topics included will be complex technical areas such as hazard control and risk management, occupational safety and health, radiation protection and fire prevention.EHS Officer works with or has access to professionals with administrative, engineering, chemical, radiation, occupational, environmental, and fire safety credentials and will be prepared to assess, measure, and evaluate potential hazards which the Central Health community may encounter for purposes of developing safety related programs to heighten safety awareness among Central Health team members, patients, and community members. EHS Officer works independently and in collaboration with system leaders regarding regulatory compliance, policy and performance improvement. They will work collaboratively with , System Executives, Clinical and Medical staff leadership, Compliance and Risk team members key stakeholders, and other leaders as required.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:• Collaborates with Safety, Employee Health, Human Resources, Compliance, and Infection Control departments throughout the system on program revisions and updates.• Creates organization-wide communications related to ongoing training and program processes as needed.• Administers and maintains all Environment of Care programs in accordance with standards and criteria established by Joint Commission, State, Local, and Federal agencies to ensure compliance to those requirements.• Conducts site visits on a periodic basis to assess emergency preparedness, detect code violations, hazards and inappropriate work processes and procedures. Reviews event reports and investigations and makes recommendations to maintain a hazard free environment.• Maintains and oversees in coordination with Facilities Management on matters pertaining to the environment of care.Training:• Provides current information for contractor training specific to safety and infection control.• Assists with New Employee Orientation and departmental training assistance on safety matters.• Provides guidance and direction on emergency preparedness training, exercises, drills and community involved programs as appropriate.• Works with clinical departments across the organization to develop and implement necessary safety training.Inspections:• Conduct and/or participate in periodic CMS and Joint Commission compliance surveys.• Local Fire Department, Insurance Company Inspections: Participate in whole building inspections. Create work orders from list of deficiencies.

• Investigate Concerns and Safety Issues: Respond to callers or emails. Provide documentation as necessary. Seek assistance as necessary in solving problems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:• Understanding of Planning, scheduling, and coordinating safety training programs at a Healthcare System.• Working knowledge of the Federal, State and Local policies and practices that govern safety in a Healthcare setting. • Maintained monitored, on a regular basis, for hazards associated with toxic atmospheres, chemicals, flammable liquids, radiation, etc. • Understanding cost estimating, budget management, and financial planning for facility-related contracts. 

• Knowledge of health center equipment needs, infection control standards, and CLIA regulations, vaccine management, compliance with Standing Delegation Orders, and emergency protocols. • Knowledge of and experience in developing plans and blueprints to ensure that campus planning personnel comply with all pertinent building codes and safety regulations during the planning of new construction and rehabilitation of existing facilities or in the lease or purchase of off-campus facilities.• Understanding of how to develop, update and store of training and reference manuals • Knowledge of safety, occupational health and fire protection principles, practices, procedures, codes, standards and regulations applicable to the performance of the full range of complex safety, occupational health and fire protection management responsibilities in a health system.• Knowledge of Joint Commission chapters: Life Safety, Environment of Care and Emergency Management desired.• Professional knowledge of Emergency Management concepts and principles. • Hazardous materials experience and training, such as Healthcare Emergency Response Training (HERT) or similar with decontamination  Knowledge of health center equipment needs, infection control standards, and CLIA regulations, vaccine management, compliance with Standing Delegation Orders, and emergency protocols. • Knowledge of clinical duties as assigned and competency validated in accordance with Standing Delegation Orders including, but not limited to: administering medications, immunizations, setting up exam or procedure rooms, preparing patients for examinations and /or treatments, assisting provider with exams or procedures, cleaning and disinfection of equipment, exam rooms and storage, stocking exam rooms, perform quality control checks on equipment as per manufacturer guidelines.• Professional knowledge of industrial hygiene concepts, principles and practices applicable to occupational health inspections of a large medical center. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Qualifications

Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree (higher degree accepted) in relevant field.

Minimum Experience: 5 years Experience in a similar clinical environment as a EHS Officer, Deputy EHS Officer, or similar role