Health & Safety Coordinator

Starting Annual Salary: $66,560/yr+ DOE
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8-5pm
At Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, we welcome diversity; we encourage, uplift, and are honored to serve people who have been historically underrepresented and underserved. Our mission is to provide high-quality, culturally appropriate healthcare to low-income residents of Washington and Yamhill Counties, with a special emphasis on seasonal and migrant farm workers and others with barriers to receiving healthcare. We strive to provide an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we employ and serve.
If you are unsure whether you meet all the required qualifications for this role but are interested and passionate about this potential position, we encourage you to apply.
Job Summary: The Health & Safety Coordinator (HSC) is responsible for developing and implementing occupational health and safety programs throughout the organization, focusing on compliance with Federal and State OSHA Standards and CDC Guidelines. The HSC will also be responsible for assisting in the development, maintenance and implementation of policies and procedures to maintain compliance with all regulations and standards. Work is performed independently under the general supervision of the Director of Patient Support Services & Safety.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Coordinates the development, implementation and monitoring of the organization's Health & Safety Program and directs efforts to improve the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.
• Responsible for working with the Director of Patient Support Services & Safety, Clinical Coordinators, Lead Clinicians, and Clinic Managers to develop and implement policies and procedures to reduce the spread of infection among staff and patients.
• Performs OSHA training of new staff at employee orientation and provides annual in-services and updates to all employees.
• Works with Human Resources, Clinical Coordinators, and Clinic Managers to set up and maintain complete and up to date Employee Health Records for all staff.
• Directs communication between employees and State and County Public Health professionals, Hospital Health & Safety Personnel, equipment vendors, builders, architects, risk managers, safety professionals and experts, consultants, trainers, and OSHA officials.
• Oversees and ensures effective functioning of the Safety Committee in accordance with Oregon and Federal OSHA regulations.
• Handles protected health information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Other responsibilities:
The following tasks ensure compliance with Oregon OSHA standards and CDC guidelines.
Exposure Control
• Assess and document employee occupational exposure risks, maintain vaccination records, conduct annual TB testing. Manage Employee Health Records (EHR's) containing employee records.
• Ensure that appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including gloves, masks, goggles, gowns, and safety needles is provided at all sites.
• Assist Clinical Coordinators to provide training for proper use, laundering and disposal of PPE.
• Facilitate and record annual safety needle evaluation.
• Work with Infection Control Team to prepare and maintain policies and procedures to reduce the spread infection. Assist Clinic Managers and Clinical Coordinators in training staff and implementing procedures.
• Work with managers, builders, and architects to provide negative pressure ventilation rooms for use as Airborne Infection Isolation rooms.
• Maintain intimate knowledge of Post Exposure Protocol related to bloodborne pathogen exposure. Assist Clinic Managers and Clinical Coordinators in training employees annually. Review protocol annually and update as needed.
• Assist Clinical Coordinators in maintenance of Emergency and First Aid Kits.
• Oversee training of clinical staff and housekeeping contractors' practices as they relate to disinfection products and practices.
• Oversee Biohazardous Waste storage, transport, and disposal.
Hazard Communication
• Conduct Hazard Assessment certifications of all job duties.
• Assist Clinical Coordinators in maintaining current Material Safety Data Sheets and Hazard Assessment Certificates for all hazardous substances at each clinic site.
• Conduct training for new employees and people who have new job duties about the hazardous materials encountered on the job, proper PPE, and the location of the MSDS.
• Facilitate proper labeling of hazardous materials used at each site.
• Ensure adequate ventilation of areas where hazardous chemicals are used.
• Provide Clinic Managers and Clinical Coordinators with spill kits and train employees how to use them.
• Oversee placement and maintenance of eye wash stations and ensure that employees are trained in its use.
Safety Communication
• Participate in accident and incident investigations.
• Oversee Quarterly Workplace Hazard Inspections.
• Escalate safety concerns from staff at each workplace.
Emergency Preparedness
• Perform and document annual fire drills
• Ensure fire alarms Illuminated exit signs, and fire extinguishers are functioning properly and extinguisher certification is current.
• Maintain Earthquake plan, updating as needed and training staff in its contents.
• Work with Emergency Response Team on drafting, training, updating, and implementing Pandemic Flu Surge plan.
• Assist with other emergency preparedness plans as needed.
Ergonomics
• Initial training and periodic re-training of employees in ergonomic practices.
• Provide ergonomics assessment on an as needed basis of workstations.
• Consult with managers, builders, and architects regarding planning for ergonomics of proposed workstations, chairs, computers, telephones, and other tools.
Workplace Violence
• Train staff in Workplace Violence Policy and Procedure, including annual retraining.
• Work with local police to evaluate physical environment to prevent violence.
• Advise managers, recommend changes in physical plant or business practices to minimize risk for violence.
• Facilitate meetings as soon as possible and again 6 weeks later following an event to allow employees to debrief.
HIPAA Requirements:
The Health and Safety Coordinator has access to PHI to create and maintain an accurate and up to date medical record, applying the minimum necessary standard of HIPAA, the designated record sets to which this employee will have access include: all sections of the medical record, patient demographic information in the practice management system, and incoming records, reports, results, consultations, etc. The Health and Safety Coordinator is required to read the content of these records only to the extent needed to accomplish the assigned task (e.g., filing or disclosure).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
• Training in OSHA rules and regulations.
• Experience working in organizational and occupational health and safety, strongly preferred.
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality of employee accident investigations.
• Verbal and written proficiency in English bilingual English/Spanish verbal and written skills preferred.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, safe driving record and insurance coverage required.
Education and Experience Required:
• Bachelor's degree in health or science, preferably in industrial or occupational health education, or related field, or a combination of experience and education.
• Medical certification and/or training a plus.
• Prior experience in a health care setting.
Behavioral Competencies:
Accountability
• Role model VG's mission, vision, and shared values
Customer-Focus
• Listen to the voice of the customer and strive to delight them by exceeding their expectations
Teamwork
• If someone needs help, help them
Initiative
• Be innovative, apply fresh ideas, and continuously improve how you do your work
Confidentiality
• Maintain strict confidentiality and respect the privacy of others
Ethical
• Demonstrate integrity, honesty, and stewardship in all encounters at work
Respect
• Demonstrate consideration and appreciation for co-workers and patients
Communication
• Demonstrate the ability to convey thoughts and ideas as well as understand perspective of others
Physical Requirements:
• Standing: 20%
• Walking: 20%
• Lifting/Carrying: 10%
• Sitting: 50%
Working Environment/Physical Hazards
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals.
• Working environment - In an office setting and frequently out in the field and in all departments. Work environment varies.
• Physical effort - Mobility to visit all work sites. Visual acuity to observe health
and safety concerns.
Equipment Used
Office Equipment
• Computer: databases and word processing
• Telephone, fax, copier, scanner, printer
Immunization:
Staff members must meet immunization requirements as stated in VGMHC's immunization policy and state and federal guidelines.
Job description represents a general outline of the essential and major job duties, functions and qualifications required. They cannot be all-inclusive and comprehensive due to the dynamic nature of work performed to accomplish VGMHC's Mission.
VGMHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from consideration for employment because of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, marital status, or physical challenges. The policy applies not only to recruitment and hiring practices, but also includes affirmative action in the area of placement, promotion, transfer, rate of pay and termination.