Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

The University of Kansas Health System•Kansas City, KS

About The Position

This position serves all internal and external customers by providing high quality care with courtesy and compassion; demonstrates accountability for own actions and decisions; develops policies, procedures, and standards; complies with Corporate Responsibility Program; assumes responsibility for risk and safety issues associated with position; holds others accountable for following Hospital Safety Policies and Procedures; participates in performance improvement activities; assists Manager with managing costs of supplies, equipment, and staff; takes responsibility for own learning and development needs; participates as a member of a team to achieve organizational and department goals; brings ideas/concerns to Manager; actively participates in department decision-making.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree in Chemistry, Safety, Emergency Preparedness or a related field of study from an accredited college or university.
1 or more years of relevant experience in an environmental, or health and safety role.
Hazardous waste training must be completed within 6 months.
Read, write and speak English.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Chemistry, Safety, Emergency Preparedness or a related field of study from an accredited college or university.
Associate Safety Professional (ASP) - Board of Certified Safety Professionals(BCSP) OR Certified Safety Professional (CSP) - Board of Certified Safety Professionals(BCSP)

Responsibilities

Support the development and coordination of related training programs.
Practice safe working techniques and re-enforce the safety policies, guidelines, and procedures as set out by the University of Kansas Hospital.
Ensure that contractor personnel working on the property follow the University of Kansas Hospital policies and safety requirements.
Ensure inspections by regulatory agencies are coordinated and deficiencies are minimized and corrected.
Assist with maintaining The Joint Commission Statement of Conditions and related corrective action items.
Ensure proper compliance of the Joint Commission assigned responsibilities.
Maintain working relationships with Regulatory Agencies and chair or co-chair assigned Environmental Health and Safety committee(s).
Travel to the University of Kansas Health System sites as required, to perform any additional Environmental health and safety duties as assigned.
Maintain filing systems regarding occupant safety.
Assist in coordinating regulatory programs including compliance processes.
Responsible for conducting incident investigations as assigned by the Environmental, Health and Safety Manger.
Responsible for the coordination of safety activities such as the distribution and collection of physical tours paperwork and will participate in environmental health and safety physical environment tours.
Conduct periodic construction site inspections to assess for safe work practices.
Coordinate hazardous material activities including collection of hazardous waste for disposal and radioactive material use and disposal.
Conduct inspections at hazardous waste generation sites to ensure compliance with EPA regulations.
Conduct periodic inspections of hazardous materials to assess for safe use and storage.
Ensures the accuracy of proper logs, inventories, documentation, and manifests as required.
Assists with formulating and implementing operational procedures to ensure workplace safety.
Consults with other Hospital Departments and advises them on all safety matters.
Develops reports related to Hospital safety program.
Investigates and resolves safety events that occur including resolution and root cause analysis and development of corrective actions and engineering controls to prevent reoccurrence.
Monitors safety program operations to ensure compliance with all regulatory and accrediting agencies, all laws, codes, standards and regulations.
Initiates any corrective action and intervenes as appropriate when conditions are present that pose an immediate threat to life or health or pose a threat of danger/damage to equipment or buildings.
Assist with ILSM inspections.
Participate in fire drills.
Conduct periodic ILSM compliance inspections.
Assist Director and Manager with hands-on fire extinguisher classes.
Assist with emergency preparedness drills and incidents.
Provide support on after action items for corrective action.
Develops and provides appropriate training to Hospital management and staff regarding safety response, hazardous materials handling, and spill cleanup.
Coordinate data collection activities and provide the Environment of Care staff with charts and graphs that will be utilized to interpret safety related data for compliance and performance improvement activities.
Assists Hospital departments with safety policies, procedures, and practices to comply with regulatory agencies.
Partner to integrate with departments in establishing an overall system and structure for safety, reporting and response.
Evaluates Vendor services, makes recommendations to Manager that will improve outcomes, compliance or increase operating efficiencies.
This position will provide full time environmental, health and safety support to the operations and will ensure that all practices are in compliance with local, state and federal regulatory requirements.
Knowledge of safety related regulations for planning, developing, training, and implementing in a health care setting or similar environment.
Knowledge of the incident command system.
Demonstrated skills in organizational theories, management techniques, methods, and principles.
Knowledge of chemical compounds and components, chemical handling, labeling and Safety Data Sheets.
Sound judgment to ensure operational activities related to Environmental health and safety.
Ability to provide leadership and a high degree of professionalism and personal presence to the organization and community.
Maintain excellent working relationships with all levels of the organization and in community settings.
Ability to analyze data and provide feedback for planning purposes and response.
Proficient computer skills in all Microsoft products and department specific programs.
Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.