Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Under the supervision of the Clinical Compliance Manager this position is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating Occupational Health and Safety programs and activities for Lake County Health Department and Community Health Centers (LCHD/CHC). The Occupational Health and Safety Specialist supports a diverse clinical setting which includes Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) offering outpatient, dental and women’s health services; as well as behavioral health, and traditional public health programs and services.

Scheduled Hours: 40 hours per week

• Plans, implements, and evaluates occupational health and employee safety activities for ambulatory care, dental, behavioral health, and other applicable LCHD/CHC settings in accordance with current state and federal regulations and industry best practices. 
• Maintains knowledge of current Joint Commission (TJC) standards, as well as IDPH, CDC, OSHA, NIOSH and other regulations applicable to occupational health and employee safety.  
• Develops and implements policies, procedures and best practices related to employee health and safety. 
• Cultivates a culture of safety among leadership, management, and staff; evaluating safety culture annually.  
• Conducts regular safety audits at LCHD/CHC site locations to identify unsafe working conditions and evaluate compliance; providing direction, support, and oversight to program staff and leadership regarding safety equipment, procedures, safety activities, risk mitigation, and corrective actions as necessary.
• Chairs the Environment of Care/Environmental Health and Safety committee and coordinates all activities under the direction of the committee. 
• Conducts an annual hazard vulnerability assessment and develops goals and objectives based on prioritized risks identified during the assessment.
• Updates the Environment of Care plan annually in coordination with applicable program staff. 
• Plans for and implements annual employee Influenza vaccination, TB screening, and Fit testing campaign in coordination with Human Resources, Infection Prevention, and Immunizations program.
• Assists in the maintenance and monitoring of employee health data upon hire, annually, and during exposure events in coordination with Human Resources, Infection Prevention, and applicable occ health vendor. 
• Manages the safety officer program to include planning, implementing and monitoring activities assigned to safety offers such as safety equipment (fire extinguisher, AED, emergency eyewash) inspections, emergency drills, and safety checklists; providing routine leadership and guidance to safety officers.
• Maintains safety data sheet (SDS) inventory with assistance from applicable site staff. 
• Reviews employee safety incidents, injuries and occupational exposures reported though the organization’s incident reporting system; applying root cause analysis and risk mitigation principles to address identified safety trends, in coordination with Human Resources and applicable program leadership. 
• Assists in monitoring the LCHD/CHC workplace violence program by reviewing incidents, identifying methods for reducing the likelihood of incidents; and helping to facilitate de-escalation training in coordination with other departments as applicable.
• Develops, conducts and evaluates safety related trainings in coordination with applicable program staff and Clinical Education and Training. 
• Performs ergonomic assessments of employee workstations to evaluate work environments and make recommendations for preventing work related injuries.
• Collaborates with Accreditation Regulatory Specialists to prepare for and participate in Joint Commission surveys. 
• All other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, environmental health and safety, health science, public health or related field.
• A minimum of three years of progressively responsible occupational health and employee safety experience in a healthcare setting, preferably in a Joint Commission accredited environment.
• Valid drivers’ license with an acceptable driving record.

As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years.We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community. 

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found athttps://lakecountyil.attract.neogov.com/health-department.

Currently, you must reside in Illinois or Wisconsin to work for the Lake County Health Department.Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam. 

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. 

Salary : $73,131