Job Description

The Environment, Health, and Life Safety Specialist's responsibilities include the Safety Management Program, Manages the All Hazards, Fire, and Life Safety plans, Joint Commission Compliance, Right-to-Know/Hazard Communication, Hazardous Materials Management, various environmental regulatory compliance issues, and budget preparation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

1. Four years’ Environmental Management or Safety Management or related experience.
2. Familiarization with life safety systems, inspections and maintenance requirements is required.
3. One year of budget management experience preferred.
4. Experience in healthcare preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Demonstrates a high degree of organizational skill.
2. Strong knowledge of NFPA standards and codes.
3. Proficiency in the use of Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as experience in database management programs
4. Ability to use basic math, calculate percentages, and interpret meanings of change in information.
5. Must be self-motivated individual with good communication skills, capable of writing lengthy and involved policies, procedures, memos and letters.
6. Ability to interrelate with other departments.

License/Certification/Registration:

1. Certification in Healthcare Environmental Management preferred.
2. Certification as a Safety Professional, Environmental Management Systems, and other EHS credentials also considered.
3. Current and valid driver’s license required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general supervision from the Manager, Facilities Services.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Coordinates the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication (HazCom) Program.
   1. Reviews Federal Register and other pertinent regulations to formulate Mount Nittany Medical Center policies and procedures required for compliance.
   2. Manages all HazCom inventories, documentation and training to ensure continued compliance with Federal Hazard Communication Standards.
   3. Continually updates the Medical Center’s Hazard Communication program.
   4. Regularly searches OSHA regulation 29CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication Standard for recent revisions, and responds accordingly.
2. Directs the development and coordination of the Medical Center’s Safety Management Program.
   1. Serves as Chapter Leader on the Environment of Care Committee (ECC).
      1. Reports at least every other month to the ECC on findings.
      2. Participates in hazard surveillance and incident reporting on a regular basis.
      3. Assists the Medical Center’s department directors and managers in the development of departmental and Medical Center safety policies and procedures.
      4. Oversees the safety education program for new employees.
      5. Receives and evaluates summaries of deficiencies or problems, failures, user errors, and relevant published reports of hazards associated with all areas of safety management.
3. Reviews Environment of Care Standards regularly to confirm and coordinate compliance.
4. Coordinates Engineering activities and inventories relative to federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) requirements.
   1. Reviews the Federal Register and other pertinent publications required to interpret SARA Title III Federal Superfund requirements.
   2. Oversees inventories relevant to Superfund reporting.
   3. Regularly reviews the federal Superfund law for revision, as well as contributing regulations such as the Water Quality Act of 1987, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1984, and the Clean Air Act, and respond accordingly.
5. Works with maintenance and vendors to assure National Fire Protection Agency’s (NFPA) codes and standards are closely adhered to:
   1. Schedule and monitor preventive maintenance, service, and regulatory inspections that comply with NFPA codes for Health Care and Ambulatory Health Care.
   2. Coordinate and categorize regulatory life safety documents NFPA 02.03.05 for Joint commission review and accreditation.
6. Coordinates current air quality analysis surveys and reports for OSHA regulated indoor air quality/employee protection.
   1. Reviews the Federal Register and other pertinent publications to formulate Mount Nittany Medical Center policies and procedures required for compliance.
   2. Coordinates environmental monitoring for all OSHA regulated/recommended substances throughout the Medical Center.
   3. Coordinates environmental monitoring for non-regulated substances when requested.
   4. Acts as contact person for environmental monitoring firm (Department of Environmental Protection DEP) - review reports with representative, ensuring accuracy of final report; distributes copies as appropriate, ensures prompt action on recommendations and maintains all monitoring files.
   5. Evaluates quality of current monitoring service annually, renewing/updating contract accordingly.
   6. Remains current and informed on all affected systems/procedures, throughout the Medical Center: Medical Gas, Waste Anesthetic Gas, etc.; Air Contaminants Standard; 29CFR 1910.1450 - OSHA Laboratory Standards; 29CFR 1910.1048 - OSHA Formaldehyde Standard. Responds to changes accordingly.
   7. Verifies that education and training materials are appropriate and available and that training is being performed and documented by all affected Medical Center departments. Also assists in program development whenever necessary.
   8. Assists Employee Health with response to Indoor Air Quality complaints.
   9. Coordinates Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) training and distribution:
      1. Conduct PAPR training for all employees who don’t meet the requirements to be fit tested with a tight-fitting respirator (N95).
      2. Manage the PAPR distribution and respond to any issues regarding the PAPR
      3. Routine check on all PAPRs to assure effectiveness; this includes checking air flow, HEPA filter, components of PAPR, etc.
7. Coordinates the disposal of all wastes in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
   1. Reviews the Pennsylvania Bulletin, the Federal Register and other pertinent regulations to formulate Mount Nittany Medical Center policies and procedures.
   2. Researches disposal facility's capabilities and obtain contracts as necessary.
   3. Coordinates all aspects of disposal, ensuring that all appropriate procedures are followed.
   4. Prepares log of waste disposal.
   5. Completes tracking reports for shipped materials.
   6. Regularly searches 25 Pennsylvania Code Ch. 75 and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for recent revisions and responds accordingly.
8. Oversees Medical Waste Disposal Program.
   1. Monitors Federal and State air quality regulations to assure continued compliance and to anticipate possible future regulatory developments.
   2. Obtains and reviews medical waste disposal contracts.
9. Ensures Domestic Water Quality.
   1. Reviews the Pennsylvania Bulletin, the Federal Register and other pertinent regulations to formulate Mount Nittany Medical Center policies and procedures.
   2. Coordinates annual water analysis and posting of results for public review, as required.
   3. Reviews Federal and State regulations for revisions and responds accordingly.
10. Ensures Waste Water Discharge permit compliance.
    1. Reviews Pennsylvania Bulletin and other pertinent regulations to formulate Mount Nittany Medical Center policies and procedures.
    2. Coordinates all activities regarding sewer disposal of regulated substances.
    3. Regularly searches local, state, and federal regulations for revisions, and responds accordingly.
    4. Coordinates all monitoring & reporting activities required by the local sewer authority.
11. Monitors Quality Assurance.
    1. Directs the collection, tabulation, and organization of data for quality and productivity analysis for applicable programs.
12. Attends appropriate meetings assigned including Infection Control, and various subcommittees of the Environmental Safety Committee.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.