LABORATORY SAFETY COORDINATOR

DescriptionThe final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on Cook County Health (CCH) policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at CCH. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement. Location: JOHN H. STROGER, JR. HOSPITAL Department: Clinical & Anatomical Services - AdministrationShift: 7:00am - 3:00pmSalary: $98,947 - $111,983 Yearly*Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement. * Job Summary The Laboratory Safety Coordinator is responsible for developing, supporting, and maintaining the Cook County Health Laboratory Safety Program. This position supports compliance with College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission, and other applicable laboratory safety standards through safety audits, new hire safety training, laboratory safety education, policy review, and regulatory readiness activities. The Laboratory Safety Coordinator collects and analyzes audit data related to safety practices and supports corrective action efforts to ensure continued compliance with laboratory regulatory safety standards.Typical DutiesDevelops and maintains the CCH Laboratory Safety Program, including compliant safe work practices for pathology and laboratory medicine departments at Stroger and Provident hospital laboratories.Collaborates with laboratory leadership to support compliance with College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission, and other applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.Performs monthly laboratory safety audits and ensures at least three audits are completed per laboratory department annually. Submits completed safety audits to the Clinical Laboratory Quality Manager.Serves as the subject matter expert for laboratory department Environment of Care (EOC)rounding.Maintains hazardous chemical inventories and ensures appropriate storage, use, labeling, and disposal of chemicals.Participates in Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) activities to support continuous improvement related to laboratory safety, audit findings, and identified areas of non-compliance.Collaborates with laboratory management to investigate process issues, safety concerns, and barriers impacting safe laboratory practices.Reviews, develops, and updates laboratory safety policies and procedures for review, approval, and implementation by Laboratory Management.Reviews and updates laboratory safety education modules for review, approval, and implementation by Laboratory Management.Identifies performance deviations and monitors remedial actions related to laboratory safety.Performs other duties as assigned.QualificationsMinimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university (Must provide official transcripts at time of interview). Certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT) as a Medical Technologist (MT), Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), or Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT). (Must provide proof at time of interview) Three (3) years of work experience in a hospital, healthcare, or clinical laboratory setting is required. Two (2) years of experience applying laboratory safety, regulatory, accreditation, or quality standards is required. Experience developing policies and procedures related to laboratory safety is required.Preferred QualificationsFive (5) years of work experience in a hospital laboratory as a bench scientist.Experience supporting College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission, or otherlaboratory accreditation surveys.Experience conducting safety audits, identifying corrective actions, and monitoring compliancewith laboratory safety standards.Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics Knowledge of laboratory safety standards, regulatory requirements, and accreditationinspection practices.Knowledge of College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission, and applicablelaboratory safety requirements.Knowledge of safe laboratory practices, including chemical handling, hazardous materials,personal protective equipment, and infection prevention procedures.Knowledge of policy and procedure development, review, and implementation.Proficiency using Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy.Ability to collect, review, and analyze audit data related to laboratory safety and compliance.Ability to identify safety concerns, performance deviations, and opportunities for processimprovement.Ability to work independently and collaboratively with laboratory leadership, staff, andinterdisciplinary teams.Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient-related and operational information in accordancewith HIPAA requirements.Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple assignments, and meet deadlines in a healthcareenvironment.Physical and Environmental Demands This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: Personal protective equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, department specific engineering and work practice controls, and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental proceduresThe above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Typical Duties” are essential job functions.  VETERAN PREFERENCE PLEASE READ  When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6months of continuous service To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must: Meet the minimum qualifications for the positionIdentify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?” Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing.  Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, please submit the one with the latest date.  Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status.  Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable OR A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing. If items are not attached,you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference VETERANS MUST PROVIDEORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’SLICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW. BENEFITS PACKAGE Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage Basic Term Life Insurance Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program Employee Assistance Program Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) 100% Tuition reimbursement for nursing-related programs For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:  MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.  *Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States’ territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approvedU. S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview. * *Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal backgroundchecks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen. *CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor. COOK COUNTY HEALTH & HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.Organization: Health and Hospital SystemsSchedule: Full-time