JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Director of Facilities and Engineering, the Safety Officer is responsible for helping maintain a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors while ensuring compliance with applicable safety regulations and standards. Core responsibilities include developing and implementing safety programs, overseeing hazard identification and mitigation, conducting incident investigations, coordinating emergency response, and promoting a strong culture of safety across the organization. This role requires strong collaboration with medical staff, interdisciplinary teams, and external agencies, as well as sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. The Safety Officer must demonstrate initiative, strong problem-solving skills, and a consistent commitment to meeting The Joint Commission requirements and all applicable federal, state, local, and organizational standards.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

Hazard Protection and Risk Management: Accountable for identifying and evaluating potential hazards and risks within the hospital setting, formulating and executing strategies to mitigate these risks and safeguarding individuals from harm. Additionally, responsible for conducting regular safety inspections and audits to detect and address unsafe conditions.

Incident Investigation and Response: Responsible for leading comprehensive investigations of accidents, injuries, and near-miss events to identify root causes and reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Accountable for developing and implementing corrective actions based on investigation outcomes, as well as coordinating emergency response procedures in the event of a safety incident. Reviews incident and accident reports, conducts further investigation as needed, and maintains accurate records and statistics on all injuries in collaboration with the Director of Employee Health.

Policy Development and Implementation: Accountable for formulating and revising safety policies, procedures, and training programs; ensuring adherence to applicable safety regulations and standards, including those established by the Joint Commission; and delivering comprehensive training and educational sessions to staff on safety protocols and procedures.  

Emergency Management: Charged with the development and ongoing maintenance of comprehensive emergency preparedness plans, including the organization and implementation of regular safety drills and exercises to assess response protocols. Coordinates effectively with pertinent agencies and departments during emergency situations and ensures thorough documentation of all drills and team meetings. Provides oversight of the fire safety program, encompassing facility and equipment inspections, staff training initiatives, and the execution of scheduled fire drills monthly at primary sites and quarterly at off-site locations in compliance with TJC, as well as federal, state, facility, and local regulations. Manages and schedules all required maintenance and repairs for fire alarm and sprinkler systems.

Communication and Collaboration: Responsible for effectively communicating safety information to staff, patients, and visitors; collaborating with multiple departments and teams to identify and address safety concerns; implementing improvements; and serving as a knowledgeable resource and advocate for patient safety throughout the hospital.

Data Analysis and Reporting: Accountable for collecting and evaluating data pertaining to safety incidents and performance. Compile comprehensive reports on safety metrics, highlighting opportunities for improvement. Analyze injury patterns, trends, and inspection results to recommend preventive strategies. Deliver written or oral updates to the Director of Facility/Engineering and other administrative leaders regarding current safety conditions as needed. Present findings to the Environment of Care Committee monthly.

Emergency Response: Promptly responds to all “code” pages and emergency situations, with the exception of “code blue.” Ensures that all hazardous areas are clearly marked and easily identifiable so that staff, patients, and visitors can recognize and avoid potential danger zones immediately.

Training and Education: Provides safety-focused educational materials and presentations as part of the General Orientation for new employees. Coordinates, facilitates, and manages safety training programs for staff members. Leads comprehensive training sessions on emergency procedures, equipment operation, and best workplace safety practices. Design and implement training initiatives to educate employees on safety protocols, thereby reducing risks and ensuring all personnel are prepared to respond appropriately in emergency situations.

Promote a Safety-Oriented Culture: Cultivate an organizational environment that prioritizes safety by promoting the consistent application of safe work practices, supporting a dedicated team of safety champions, and recognizing employees who consistently follow and comply with established safety protocols.

Implementing Safety Campaigns: Responsible for facilitating safety campaign programs as an effective means to increase awareness of specific safety issues. Safety Officers are tasked with the planning and execution of these initiatives to advance safety throughout the organization.

Safety Committee Leadership: instrumental in advancing workplace safety standards by assuming leadership role within safety committee, facilitating discussions and overseeing initiatives designed to enhance safety protocols.

Safety Audits: Conducts safety audits to evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs and ensure compliance with safety standards.

Collaborate with Management: Partner with management to proactively address safety concerns and implement necessary improvements. Conduct environment of care rounds, identify unsafe conditions within facility buildings and grounds, report findings, and initiate or request corrective actions for any Life Safety Code violations.

Monitoring Safety Performance: Responsible for overseeing and assessing safety performance metrics to identify trends and improvement opportunities, as well as establishing and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to maintain compliance with safety standards. Interim Life Safety Measures are implemented as necessary.

Coordinating with External Safety Inspectors: Collaborate with external safety inspectors to evaluate workplace conditions. Safety Officers facilitate these engagements to ensure compliance with all relevant safety standards and address any identified concerns.

Continued Education: Responsible for remaining current with all updates and changes to The Joint Commission's Life Safety, Environment of Care, and Emergency Management standards.

Strategic Planning: Provide support in the formulation of strategic plans related to health, safety, and environmental initiatives.

Other Responsibilities: Accountable for maintaining all safety-related documentation and records, overseeing the maintenance and inspection of safety equipment, and actively participating in safety committees and relevant meetings. Additional duties and projects may be assigned as necessary.

Minimum Level of Education: A high school diploma or equivalent, along with relevant work experience in safety management, occupational health, or a related field, is required. Vocational training or technical certification in a related discipline is preferred.  

Formal Training: Demonstrated management expertise in planning, organizing, implementation, facilitation, interviewing, interpersonal relations, motivation, and both verbal and written communication. Possesses extensive knowledge of potentially hazardous materials and procedures. Skilled in preparing health and safety reports and policies, as well as conducting data analysis and statistical reporting.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: A valid Class C driver's license is required

Work Experience: Candidates must have at least a year of experience relevant to the responsibilities of a Safety Officer, preferably in a hospital setting. Preferred qualifications include comprehensive knowledge of OSHA regulations, Joint Commission/CMS standards, disaster management protocols, state facility inspections, Life Safety Codes, and decontamination procedures.

Computer Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.