NI-Specialist, Safety

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

7/19/2023

Entity:

Illinois

Job Code:

NI-6023AC

Job Title:

NI-Specialist, Safety

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The Safety Specialist is responsible for providing departmental assistance and support to the Safety team.  Support includes data management support and serving as the primary contact for safety related questions and problems related to software applications and data. As the SuperUser of the departmental software applications, incumbent will provide training, assist with errors and troubleshooting, as well as provide reports and analysis of report findings to the Director and Safety Leadership. 

Under the direction of Safety Leadership, this position is responsible for providing support for a variety of duties related to data collection; preparation of special reports for regulatory compliance and quality assurance; database and report building and maintaining; providing training on various Safety initiatives, programs and software programs used by the department; and supporting safety initiatives. Incumbent is also responsible for maintaining the safest possible physical environment for patients, staff, visitors, and students by conducting drills, inspections required by federal, state, and local authorities having jurisdiction throughout the facilities. The incumbent is responsible for documentation of these activities and providing information to Safety Leadership for follow-up on any complaints or safety issues encountered. In addition, the incumbent assists in the maintaining of the records required by all authorities having jurisdiction as well as ensures UW Health NIL compliance with all emergency management, life safety, and environment of care standards of The Joint Commission (TJC) and equivalent Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) conditions of participation.  This position is responsible for establishing and maintaining necessary compliance mechanisms, training, inspections, documentation, and activities, in conjunction with UW Health NIL Safety Program objectives as well as to assist in ongoing safety activities and other duties as assigned.

A varied schedule, including early mornings, late nights or weekends may be necessary to meet the needs of the Safety Program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

•

Conducting regular safety walk-through inspections of all workplace facilities.

•

Assisting with updating master schedules for anticipated events, drills, training and regulatory meetings.

•

Assisting with development of organization tools and timelines to efficiently accomplish projects; maintain departmental benchmark document for safety leadership

•

Recommending process improvements to Safety leadership where applicable.

•

Creating reports from databases and documents; provide analysis of data.

•

Supporting planning of and participate in safety projects, training and programs.

•

For various Safety software programs, such as MSDS Online and Rounds Tracker, run queries and reports, analyze, then report findings to the Director and other managers as directed.

•

Maintaining and updating the chemical inventory.

•

Providing ongoing training and support to other departments such as how to complete a safety rounds form.

•

Conducting training, safety rounds and other walk-throughs or inspections.

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Escalating notifications to immediate supervisor when conditions exist that pose an immediate threat to life or health or pose a threat to equipment, property or the environment.

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Maintaining working knowledge of general policies and procedures with particular attention to those associated with the Environment of Care.

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Promoting quality improvement, patient and staff safety, and cultural diversity through department operations and by personal performance.

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Maintaining working knowledge of the Emergency Operations Plan.

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Providing support to the Incident Command Center during exercises and emergencies.

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Providing training support for the hospital evacuation training program.

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Providing training support to hospital decontamination training program.

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Assisting with scheduled emergency management drills.

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Assisting with updating master schedules for anticipated exercises, drills and meetings.

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Conducting fire extinguisher training, fire drills and other walk-throughs or trainings.

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Maintains Safety & Emergency Management databases for collecting data, producing monthly reports and establish tracking system.

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Keep records and documents up to date.

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Design tools and processes to manage, monitor and report departmental data, and information.

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Prioritize and implement updates and changes to the project plans and workflows.

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Assists in the development of project plans, workflows and process improvements.

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Assists operational and departmental leaders in implementing workflow and process changes.

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Coordinate the collection of data/information from various departments for committee meetings, manage respective databases and produce necessary reports and documents.

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Assists in documenting underlying needs of the department.

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Create the development of project plans and workflows.

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Assists with the collection of data/information for review by the Safety Leadership Team and/or the Safety Department.

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Ensure all special reports are documented and available for management use.

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Provide quality customer service.

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Represent the Safety Department and UW Health NIL in a professional and courteous manner.

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Assists in preparation activities for TJC to ensure easy access to required tests, inspections, etc. Prepares status reports on departmental preparedness

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Non-Clinical

JOB REQUIREMENTS

High School Diploma

or equivalent.

Required

Bachelor’s degree in in Safety, Nursing, Engineering, Emergency Management, Business or related field related field.

Preferred

2 years experience data management, project support or assistance, training, emergency response, or healthcare, public health, or public service.

Required

Experience within an academic medical center.

Preferred

Experience with data management, analysis and creating documents.

Preferred

Experience with Life Safety Code.

Preferred

Experience with preparations and presentations of training.

Preferred

Experience with emergency management exercises.

Preferred

Hazardous materials experience.

Required

Experience with word processing, database and spreadsheet software programs.

Required

NIMS IS-100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800.

Required

CHEP, CHSP or other related certifications in safety and/or emergency management.

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

•

Knowledge of safety, occupational health and fire protection principals, practices, procedures, codes, standards and regulations applicable to the performance of the full range of complex safety, occupational health and fire protection management responsibilities at the Medical Center.

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Knowledge of Joint Commission chapters: Life Safety, Environment of Care and Emergency Management desired.

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Knowledge required to recognize environmental factors, stresses associated with complex work operations and to ascertain their effects on the health and wellbeing of employees.

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Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to promote teamwork and ensure a high degree of internal and external customer satisfaction.

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Strong analytical skills. Resourceful in problem solving.

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Excellent problem-solving and organizational abilities.

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Excellent customer service abilities. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships by being courteous and positive with coworkers, department administrative staff, interdepartmental contacts and the general public.

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Ability to work independently and be result oriented.

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Ability to be organized and flexible in response to changing demands.

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Ability to manage multiple tasks with ease and efficiency.

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Excellent computer skills.

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Ability to plan and organize the workflow in a busy office environment.

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Ability to be self-directed in accomplishing the coordination and decision making responsibilities of this position. Ability to work with minimal supervision.

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Ability to review reports to produce custom reports and documents.

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Ability to handle a high volume of work under pressure.

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Ability to make appropriate and timely decisions.

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Ability to maintain information confidential in nature.

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Ability to read blueprints, work independently after initial work assignment.

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Employee is expected to follow UWHC Employee Work Rules and department dress code, sanitation, and safety work standards.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Standing

X

Walking

X

Climbing

X

Bending

X

Crouching

X

Pushing / Pulling

X

Carry

X

Fine Hand / Eye Coordination

X

Color Discrimination

X

Hearing Ability

X

Lifting / Lowering 1 -15 lbs.

X

15 - 30 lbs.

X

30 - 50 lbs.

X

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Concentration on Detail

X

Attention Span of 1 + Hours on a Task

X

Ability to Remember Multiple Tasks

X

Oral Communication

X

Written Communication

X

Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids

X

Exposure to Toxins, Cytotoxins, Poisons

X

Exposure to Extreme Heat, Cold, Temp Fluctuations

X

Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

X

Exposure to Radiation

X

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.