Safety Manager, Hospital and Clinic Safety Program

Position Summary:

Manages and coordinates efforts to maintain a safe work environment at the UTHealth Houston Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC), the Dunn Behavioral Center, and Clinical Programs (UTPhysicians) as a member of the Environmental Health and Safety department. Ensures compliance with institutional, local, state, and federal environmental, health, and safety regulations, including emergency management, and with Joint Commission hospital accreditation requirements in the areas of Physical Environment and Emergency Management. Serves as the Safety Officer for HCPC and Dunn. 

You will be officed at the Dunn Behavioral Center, and the role will require on-site presence. The role reports to the Assistant Vice President of Environmental Health and Safety, and the leadership of HCPC and Dunn.   This job classification is designated as "essential".  In case of an emergency, "essential" positions are those required to sustain clinical services and/or are responsible for the protection of university assets. Personnel in designated "essential" positions are expected to report to their designated work site during their scheduled work hours, even when the institution has been officially declared on "restricted access" due to adverse conditions.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Manages the Safety Coordinator and Safety Specialists within the Hospital & Clinic Safety Program, assigned to provide services to UTPhysicians, and the School of Public Health intern assigned to HCPC and Dunn. 
• Coordinates efforts to meet the regulatory requirements of the Texas Department of State Health Services related to environmental, health, and safety codes, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Texas Department of Insurance State Fire Marshal's Office, National Fire Protection Association, and Environmental Protection Agency.
• Oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of the HCPC  and Dunn Joint Commission requirements/plans for the  Physical Environment and Emergency Management (Safety, Fire, Hazardous Materials/Waste and Medical Equipment), Life Safety, and associated policies and procedures.
• Coordinates and/or conducts safety inspections, environmental tours, hazard surveillance, risk assessments, hazard vulnerability assessments, fire alarm inspections, portable fire extinguisher inspections, and fire and emergency drills.
• Responsible for documenting medical equipment, inspections, equipment repairs, and failures.
• Responsible for the collection, dissemination, and follow-up of medical equipment product recalls.
• Co-chair the HCPC  and Dunn Physical Environment and Emergency Management Committee.
• Represent HCPC and Dunn in emergency management coordination and response meetings in the community (SETRAC).
• Directly coordinate with personnel conducting external audits and inspections from regulatory organizations.
• Provides technical advice and innovative solutions to management for potential hazards and control method problems.
• Coordinates emergency response to internal and external events impacting the hospital.
• Creates, monitors, and reports on performance improvement indicators for areas of responsibility.
• Maintains all records and documentation required related to areas of responsibility, and reviews documentation to ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
• In cooperation with the Office of Safety, Health, Environment, and Risk Management and other involved parties, conducts investigations of property loss and occupational injuries.
• Coordinates ongoing continuous improvement efforts related to areas of responsibility noted above. Communicates ongoing metrics, areas of success, opportunities for improvement, and recommended plans of action to leadership.
• Prepares and delivers reports and presentations, as needed, to communicate program effectiveness and meet necessary reporting requirements. Conducts inventories of hazardous materials and waste, and emergency supplies.
• Provide Joint Commission and Safety Program training to new employees, residents, and attending physicians.
• In conjunction with Hospital-Wide Education, ensures that training related to areas of responsibility is developed, delivered, and assessed annually.
• In coordination with Facilities Planning and Engineering, maintains Joint Commission basic building information and plans for improvement. Stays abreast of environmental health and safety and Joint Commission requirements and best practices.
• This job classification is designated as essential at the UTHealth Science Center at Houston. In case of an emergency, essential positions are those required to sustain clinical services and/or are responsible for the protection of university assets. Personnel in designated essential positions are expected to report to their designated work site during their appointed work schedules, even when the institution has been officially declared to be on restricted access or closed due to adverse conditions.
• Manages Human Resources activities of the department in regard to recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Manages Human Resources activities of the department in regard to recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)  preferred but not required
• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) preferred but not required
• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) preferred but not required
• Other relevant certifications

Minimum Education:

At least a Bachelor's Degree is required, and a Master's is preferred. 

Minimum Experience:

At least five (5) years of related experience in safety or a related field is required, and prefer those with experience in a healthcare setting. 

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether factors such as criminal history or ongoing connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from maintaining the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas since this role is on-site.