System Safety Officer

Do you want to work at one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation? We are guided by our values of Love and Excellence and are passionate about delivering health, not just health care. Come join us at ChristianaCare!

Primary Function:

ChristianaCare is looking for a limited full-time System Safety Officer to maintain continuous readiness of the organization through compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) Environment of Care (EC) and Life Safety (LS) chapters with the overall mission of providing a safe and healthful environment for staff, patients, and visitors.

Responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcement of the Environment of Care (EOC) program in accordance with Federal, State, Joint Commission, and local standards and regulations.

This position provides leadership to managers and caregivers at all hospital and licensed outpatient locations as the dedicated Safety Officer, and is responsible for EOC compliance within Safety Management, Security Management, Fire & Life Safety, Hazardous Materials and Waste Management, Medical Equipment Management, and Utilities Management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate ChristianaCare programs required to comply with Joint Commission Environment of Care and Life Safety Standards.
• Identify conditions that pose an immediate threat of danger to all occupants or damage to the equipment or buildings and develops strategies for corrective action or resolution.
• Coordinate the on-going, organization-wide, collection of information, to evaluate and identify deficiencies and opportunities for improvement, relative to Joint Commission EC and LS standards.
• Maintain EOC records that are required by various authorities and regulatory agencies.
• Participate in Joint Commission consultant surveys.
• Provide guidance for Joint Commission Standards and the Life Safety Code as they relate to the Environment of Care.
• Maintain Joint Commission ED and LS regulatory documents, including Management Plans, Annual Evaluations, Performance Improvement initiatives, and Risk Assessments.
• Analyze and evaluate data for trends and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Manage the safety rounds surveillance program for ChristianaCare Healthcare and Ambulatory occupancies, which includes schedule coordination, participation, and follow up analysis of identified risks.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the safety activities of the Middletown ED, Newark, Wilmington, and Cecil campuses, and all licensed outpatient locations.
• Perform periodic audits of the EC and LS Joint Commission programs and documentation in conjunction with subject matter experts, recommending opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with development of caregiver education with regards to the Environment of Care and Life Safety.
• Chairs the Environment of Care Committee and is responsible for reporting on the safety rounds surveillance program and audit results. Participates on the Emergency Management Committee, Infection Prevention Committee, and other committees as assigned.
• Works with department directors, managers and supervisors in the establishment and administration of programs necessary to provide a safe and healthful workplace and ensure compliance with Joint Commission Standards.
• Review pertinent legislation, regulations, and standards to ensure Christiana Care’s compliance with new directives and analyzes probable effects of legislation and regulatory changes on Christiana Care operations.
• Participate in the Environment of Care and Life Safety survey with the Joint Commission. Participate in surveys with the Fire Marshall or State/CMS as appropriate.
• Communicate with staff as appropriate through staff meetings, oral communications, and written communications.
• Support a safe work environment and safe behaviors by departmental staff.
• Maintain current qualifications through continuing education.
• Perform assigned work safely, adhering to established departmental safety rules and practices; responds in a timely manner to unsafe activities, conditions, hazards, or safety violations that may cause injury to oneself, other employees, patients, and visitors.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Hours: Day Shift

Education and Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in related field.

Master’s degree in related field preferred.

Continuing education in Joint Commission Standards, including Environment of Care, Life Safety and Emergency Management Chapters.

Minimum of five years’ experience in a healthcare environment.

Participation in at least two Joint Commission surveys.

Preferred experience will include emphasis on Joint Commission EC and LS standards (Safety and Security, Utilities, Fire and Life Safety, Hazardous Materials, and Medical Equipment Management) and the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and the Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99).

Special requirements:

Acceptable drivers record in good standing.

Knowledge, Skill, and Ability Requirements

Knowledge of safety, fire protection, and environmental principles and practices.

Knowledge of applicable Joint Commission, NFPA, OSHA, EPA, and state and local safety standards and guidelines.

Knowledge principles and techniques that elicit teamwork throughout the organization.

Skilled in oral and written communication.

Ability to technically resolve problems and develop effective solutions with other staff or consultants.

Ability to develop and maintain relationships with higher management and peers.

Skilled in resolving conflicts and gaining cooperation with others.

Skilled in responding and developing plan of actions quickly when urgent needs arise.

Ability to demonstrate leadership skills and exercise judgment, tact, and diplomacy.

Skilled in developing and directing the implementation of goals, objections, policies, procedures, management systems, work standards and program evaluation.

Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate program operations.

Ability to interact with employees, management personnel, physicians, and visitors.

Ability to work independently with minimal direction.

Physical demands:

Frequent walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods of time, changing as needs arise. Some climbing of ladders, ramps, and stairs. Must be able to carry equipment as necessary for monitoring, training, and emergency response.

Working conditions:

Position is routinely exposed to normal healthcare occupancies including patient care areas, (inpatient and outpatient), mechanical/industrial equipment areas, areas under construction, and occupied office environments. Travel between facilities is required.

ChristianaCare Offers:

• Collaborative and team focused environment
• Full Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, etc.
• 403(b)
• Generous paid time off
• Incredible Work/Life benefits including annual membership to care.com, access to backup care services for dependents through Care@Work, retirement planning services, financial coaching, fitness and wellness reimbursement, and great discounts through several vendors for hotels, rental cars, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets and much more!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.