EHS Specialist I

Responsibilities:

• Fit Testing:
• • Performs fit testing and training for UPHS employees in hospitals as assigned by the Corporate Manager of Environmental Hygiene. Fit testing will be completed using the TSI PortaCount and/or other equipment/methods as assigned.
  • Facilitate and coordinate documentation of fit testing and training records in cooperation with Employee Health and Human Resources.
  • Maintaining and coordinating scheduling of employee fit testing.
  • Coordinate off-shift and weekend fit testing as necessary based on the needs of each facility.
• Work Safety:
• • Examine and reinforce use of work practice controls as well as personal protective equipment to minimize risk of injury.
  • Coordination of planning, design, implementation, on going evaluation and monitoring of respiratory protection and other safety program initiatives that provide for a safe environment of care for our patients, visitors, staff, and the surrounding community.
  • Reviews / investigates / tracks / trends accident and incident reports for patterns, cause and effect and makes appropriate recommendation for improvement and implementation of preventative or corrective actions.
  • Performs investigations, and diagnostics of reported departmental operational, life safety and fire code compliance and general “safety related” issues for the assigned operating sites / entity. Develops recommended interventions where appropriate and monitors progress of interventions to correct such problems.
  • Participates and contributes to UPHS safety management program initiatives for employee education, infection control and awareness training, and other resources developed for communication of the safety activities or knowledge to our staff, patients and visitors.
  • Develops a familiarity and understanding of the functions, operations, priorities, and safety concerns of departments and operational areas of the practices and the variety of sites and settings operated.
  • Responsible for initiating safety standards and policy / procedure development as appropriate to operations in areas of responsibility.
  • Provide education and hands-on training to staff in safe lifting practices and computer ergonomics.
• Compliance and Risk Management:
• • Performs and documents regular assessments of regulatory and code compliance, hazardous operations and the general condition / operation of the facility for development of safety concerns, issues or unsafe practices
  • Assists departments with assessing risks associated with safety issues regarding operations, facilities, equipment and job analysis.
  • Researches and performs analysis of data from a variety of sources including human resources, risk management, employee health, quality assurance and personal investigation to coordinate development of focused prevention programs to reduce job related injuries, utilizing the full array of modern methods and technology available.
  • Performs staff support of the Entity Safety Committee (EOC), ad hoc and standing sub-committees and other groups as assigned by the Assoc. Director or Director
  • Responds to fire, safety and hazardous incident emergencies at any UPHS operating sites as needed, assuming the role assigned.
  • Establish contacts and working relations with all areas and departments of the assigned entity and other UPHS entities as needed.
  • Work with consultants as necessary / assigned and implement programs or revisions as indicated / required providing for follow through.
  • Consults other UPHS Safety Management staff for guidance and expertise as needed and appropriate while maintaining “lead role” for assigned entity.
• Monitoring/Data Collection:
• • Monitors and collects/produces data regarding levels of compliance with the variety of regulatory and standard setting bodies applying to the healthcare setting.
  • Monitors practice activities and operations for opportunities to improve safety practices and regulatory compliance.
  • Monitors level of employee satisfaction and dissatisfaction, receives feedback and suggestions for improving workplace satisfaction, operations and effectiveness.
  • Identifies applicable regulations and standards impacting the areas of responsibility and assists in performing development of plans to meet guidelines, etc.
  • Monitors activity at institutional and/or departmental level related to level of compliance with institution-wide programs including the safety program.
• Problem Solving:
• • Resolves problems related to work assignments, and department functions or services in a timely and effective manner.
  • Recognizes problems as they occur and/or monitors records and trends to identify recurrent problems.
  • Identifies and uses resources available to provide assistance in resolving problems and/or issues.
  • Determines effective solution or best course of action by reviewing the alternatives and considering effect of actions/solution upon the healthcare setting, department or section involved.
  • Resolves problems by initiating and/or recommending selected course of action or solution.
  • Communicates course of action in a positive manner to all involved.
• Information Exchange:
• • Communicates work methods and/or other information to staff, clients, associates and supervisors accurately, clearly, and concisely.
  • Explains work procedures and methods to others.
  • Listens carefully to others in order to respond appropriately, answer questions or obtains needed information.
  • Maintains confidentiality in communications, when appropriate.
• Coordination:
• • Maintains effective coordination of ongoing or specific activities to accomplish work activities and program goals.
  • Develops and maintains contacts with other departments to coordinate inter-related activities and program goals
  • Maintains efficient operations by making timely requests to others and responding quickly to requests.
  • Keeps others informed of progress on work activities to insure efficient coordination of activities.
• Work Organization:
• • Organizes work activities to insure their proper and timely completion.
  • Schedules work time effectively by assigning priorities to daily, weekly, and monthly work activities.
  • Recognizes that activities may require complex schedule coordination because of inter-related nature of activities.
  • Avoids crisis through systematic planning and follow through.
  • Maintains effective relationships within the healthcare setting and University system, and with a variety of outside agencies, contractors and consultants.
• REPORTS AND RECORDS:
• • Creates, compiles, assists in maintaining and filing records, logs and records of safety related subjects. Writes concise, accurate reports and correspondence. Compiles statistical data as necessary.
  • Works with all levels of employees as well as visitors, patients and outside professionals, such as fire department, city, state, and federal inspectors as well as engineers, contractors, and architects.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree (Required); preferably in a Safety (public or environmental), fire prevention, emergency management, environmental science, business, health administration or health-related discipline.
• Prefer one year of experience through internship program.

Skills & Abilities:

• Understanding of health care operations
• Understanding of regulatory guidelines
• Knowledge of Fire and Safety standards
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Demonstrated written communication skills
• Demonstrated interpersonal/verbal communication skills