Job Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Project Manager Construction Safety reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

This function oversees, leads, directs, and enforces safety best practices and safe working conditions on construction projects in accordance with all State, Federal, Local regulations, and owner/contractual requirements. Acts as the construction safety consultant to the Project to ensure all contractors for NMHC construction projects comply with all relevant current safe work practices and safety regulations related to construction personnel, as well as ensure compliance with all applicable regulations established by NMHC and other authorities having jurisdiction affecting construction in health care environments. The Project Safety Manager will have supervisory responsibility for a team comprised of a Field Safety Representative and Safety Coordinator.

Establishes and implements plans for compliance with life safety and infection control requirements appropriate for each project, investigates incidents, identifies, and reports on safety trends. Collects, analyzes, and prepares project safety reports addressing established project safety program metrics, and provides recommendations to contractors and NMHC staff for improvements.

Periodically reviews NMHC policies related to safety procedures, life safety standards and work methods related to construction and recommends updates to stay current with industry standards. Ensures contracted consultants and vendors are in compliance with established program standards and of standards by all authorities having jurisdiction including, but not limited to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and The Joint Commission (TJC).

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership related to all aspects of project safety and build working relationships with project staff and each Contractor Safety Representative to ensure proper compliance.
• Implement safety policies specifically applicable to construction in health care environments and ensure compliance by NMHC personnel and all contracted consultants and vendors.
• Review plans for interim life safety and infection prevention as provided by contractors and ensure compliance with applicable authorities having jurisdiction. Ensure construction sites are maintained in a safe and healthy manner for all who may be in the area including employees, patients, customers, and the public. Attend and aid at all preconstruction meetings to ensure construction projects conform to NMH policies, procedures, safe operating standards, and meet all regulatory requirements. Review bids submittals to ensure all safety and infection control requirements have been adequately considered.
• Orient and educate all project staff, contractors, new hires on safety policies, procedures, and emergency response protocols.
• Conduct needs assessments, develop safety-related training curricula, and schedule, facilitate, and track training program attendance to ensure compliance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements.
• Meet with representatives of regulatory agencies as necessary to ensure current NMHC plans comply and to be apprised of potential regulatory changes; Conduct routine audits of construction project sites to gauge compliance with regulatory requirements, issue report of violations and require immediate corrective action by contractors.
• Collaborate with related departments, including, but not limited to: Facilities and Engineering, Property Operations, Quality and Safety, and Infection Prevention, to ensure consistency in the implementation of the program.
• Recommend actions related to work stoppage recommend and implement corrective action based on policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Ensure the work of all contracted consultants, contractors and vendors is in compliance with standards, rules and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction including, but not limited to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) requirements and submittals, and Joint Commission (JCAHO) requirements.
• Oversee the Administration of the drug screening program for project.
• Oversee the care of workers injured on the project, where appropriate accompany the worker to the medical clinic.
• Manage safety inspection and site audit process. Conduct weekly inspections/audits of construction project worksites. Meet regularly with contractors to assess compliance and recommend improvements.
• Develop and implement an incident investigation program. Lead the investigation of all incidents.
• Ensure all safety records are properly maintained and manage all record keeping regarding safety related incidents and disciplinary actions.
• Collect, analyze, and prepare safety information, performance metrics, and statistical data reports to enhance effective planning and decision-making. Identify key safety trends and provide regular reports to project staff and management.
• Assist in the documentation and processing of any insurance claim information as appropriate. Coordinate activities with the NMHC Risk Management.
• Assist in drafting updated division and NMHC policies, safety procedures, life safety standards and work methods to address changes in any regulations from authorities having jurisdiction.
• Develop, implement, and monitor safety incentive/recognition programs.
• Participate in NMHC-wide safety initiatives.
• Manage project safety budget (if applicable).

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational health/safety, Construction Administration, or Construction Management or equivalent experience.
• 5 years of experience in construction safety operations, with at least 5 years in health care environments.
• 2-3 years of experience in the management of a safety program.
• Extensive working knowledge of Federal, State and Local regulatory compliance requirements.
• Extensive working knowledge of hazard identification, incident identification and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to physically navigate construction worksites, bending, standing, walking, squatting, climbing ladders, etc.

Preferred:

• 5 years of experience in the development and management of safety programs for construction in occupied health care environments.

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.