Director, Network Safety Officer

Overview

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better.


At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives - and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It's also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community.


Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Director Network Safety Officer develops, directs, coordinates, implements, and monitors the Network-wide Environmental and Safety Management program and performs all the job functions listed below in accordance with Network procedures and compliance with regulatory agencies.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of a Network Safety Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• The Network Safety Officer (NSO) is assigned leadership over a network market and/or network departmental team member operations. All Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities, Ambulatory Care, and Home Care Environmental Health and Safety issues are the responsibility of the NSO.
• The NSO supervises all departmental team members and must focus on the network agenda of improving team safety and overall organizational safety.
• Chairs, or coordinates chairing, the Environment of Care Committee and submits monthly reports on findings, recommendations, actions taken and/or monitoring of the Environment of Care. Working with Safety Specialists, acts as coordinator of all Safety Committees, Environment of Care Committee and related structures. Coordinates these agendas to meet established or new requirements, reviews comprehensive minutes, and, as appropriate, follows up on action to meet all requirements.
• Reviews network environmental health and safety programs, policies and procedures for the appropriate action by that committee. The goal is to standardize best practices.
• Proposes or provides corrective action plans, written or verbal, and can adjust plans for variable fluctuations as necessary.
• Provides developmental guidance to the network safety programs and their sub-divisions.
• Maintains important records, policies and procedures, hazard communication information, resource materials, and current rules and regulations.
• Consults with appropriate departments to ensure safe storage, transportation, and disposal of wastes. Involves in the selection of waste disposal company/contractor and monitors results. Participates in hazard surveillance and the incident reporting system as required to resolve issues. Coordinates with the Biosafety Officer, Laboratory Safety and Biological Safety Programs by conducting risk assessments, facility and waste stream audits, and safety training to ensure staff compliance to all regulations; Develop and Implement Biological/Hazardous Material Shipping Program.
• Manages SARA TitleII/Right-to-Know Program. Ensures all facilities actively maintain individual chemical inventory; creates and maintains centralized database that includes inventory from all HMHN facilities; supervises, prepares and submits annual reports to appropriate regulatory agencies.
• Identifies and defines physical parameters and/or behavioral factors capable of contributing to occupational or environmental health hazards and/or fire hazards.
• Promotes and coordinates the network and local Safety Officer role in the collection and evaluation of Environment of Care related information.
• Conducts investigations of accidents and fire incidents to determine causes and provide, as necessary, written reports including evidence interpretation, theory and rationale, and final conclusions.
• Develops, implements, and monitors the fire safety and emergency response policies and procedures including urgent response to suspect conditions. Oversees the preventive maintenance of fire protection and safety equipment. Initiates purchase of new equipment and/or orders repairs as necessary.
• Responds to calls of possible fire or chemical contamination, evaluates the conditions found, takes further actions if necessary, to return the hospital environment to normal, and informs and updates the personnel-in-charge of the condition status.
• Serves as the network person-in-charge during 'Code Red' emergencies or hazardous materials incidents or remains on-call.
• Serves as the Environmental Health and Safety Officer during disaster response emergencies and specifically directs the actions necessary to protect staff from exposure to hazardous materials.
• Coordinates with the divisional and local Emergency Management leadership on all Emergency Operations issues.
• Designs and implements appropriate quality control program and develops processes and procedures whereby the Safety staff and others follow-up to ensure effectiveness. Develops, modifies and maintains Environmental Safety standards to support approved organization goals and comply with outside agency regulations. Coordinates and regulates department Safety Programs to ensure effectiveness. Develops/revised programs and recommends procedural changes as necessary. Conducts inspections and environmental sampling to ensure accident prevention, fire protection, and safety from hazards. Initiates corrective actions as required.
• Manages, coordinates, and monitors administrative activities of Environmental Health and Safety to ensure safe and efficient operations in accordance with established procedures and compliance with regulatory agencies. Manages and oversees department staff, provides work direction, and conducts on-the-job training to ensure the department has a trained knowledge base in the functional areas of OSHA, NJDEP, and the Joint Commission. Completes performance evaluations and takes appropriate personnel actions. Monitors activities of staff to ensure effective completion of projects and assignments.
• Takes a leadership role in construction-related safety. Ensure there are policies, procedures, and resources to support the Network's construction efforts to include issuing penetration permits, doing pre and post inspections, attending appropriate project meetings, giving design guidance, and eventual signed approval relative to interim and permanent life and general safety measures. Participates in the ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) aspects related to construction.
• Prepares all HMHN locations for upcoming surveys for all regulatory activities. Takes a leadership role for preparation of Joint Commission PPR for Environment of Care, in identifying areas for improvement and for monitoring on-going improvement of preparation efforts. Works directly with surveyors as needed and directly by the VP of Environmental Health & Safety. Researches and prepares strong arguments for HMH's compliance, if needed.
• Maintains effective communication with departments and services to ensure compliance with policies and procedures as they impact Environmental Health and Safety functions. Interprets codes, laws, etc. and provides guidance to departments as necessary. Develops and conducts appropriate training programs and drills. Designs and distributes instructional or informational materials. Partners with Learning and Performance and other areas of the Hospital to devise the best, most comprehensive training programs that will meet regulatory requirements and enhance the safety of our employees.
• Performs all duties inherent in managerial role. Participates in hiring, training, evaluation, and termination of assigned staff according to HMHN policies and procedures.
• Performs other special projects and duties as assigned by the Vice-President Environmental Health & Safety. Data Management and Analytics: Track, analyze, and report on relevant data and metrics as needed and/or requested.
• Develop, recommend and/or implement actions or process improvements as appropriate.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor's degree in either Safety Engineering, Environmental Health science or a related area OR at least 6 years full-time experience in Hospital Safety in a supervisory OR managerial capacity, or at least 7 years full time experience in Hospital Safety in any capacity.
• At least 8 years full time experience in the safety profession if no hospital experience is evident.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• Master's Degree in Environmental Health Science or related field.

If you feel that the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!


Starting Minimum Rate

Minimum rate of $133,120 Annually

Job Posting Disclosure

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package.


The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to:

Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness.
Experience: Years of relevant work experience.
Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training.
Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies.
Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location.
Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization.
Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered.


Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts.

In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.