DIRECTOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Summary

Responsible for the Direction of the employee health and wellness needs and regulatory requirements of St Joseph Hospital (including employees, volunteers, contractors, travelers, and non-employed physicians) as they pertain to health and wellness.  This role has the authority to create a vision for the department and work autonomously but collaboratively to set goals, strategy, objectives, and policies to meet these goals.  Direct and manage the employee health and wellness department and all that is entailed in this job description.  Works closely with and supports staff in the department and completes all tasks as per the Employee Health RN Job description in addition to the duties listed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports and promotes the mission and values of Covenant Health Ministry by incorporating these in all aspects of goal setting, policy and protocol creation and oversight for the department.
• Create and update Scope of Service document for the department.
• Develop and update daily infection control processes and documentation as well as communication processes to all leaders.
• Directs the hospitals respiratory illness prevention program for the organization, ensuring all staff (who use respirators) are fit tested for respirators annually.  Ensures compliance with all OSHA mandates for respiratory protection of all staff in the organization.
• Develops programs and processes to ensure compliance with all NH State and Covenant Health Systems immunization and health testing requirements.
• Analyze data around the safety of our workforce including injuries, bloodborne pathogen exposures and workplace violence.  Assess current practices and formulates corrective action plans as needed including developing programs and committees aimed at decreasing case numbers and preventing injury to all who work at the facility. Ensure our Ergonomic Evaluation program is aiding our efforts to reduce injuries.
• Analyze reports around our Workers Compensation costs to assess if current practices are meeting the goals of the department.  Formulate corrective action plans and implement improvement actions using the PDSA cycle process to improve overall outcomes.
• Create and maintain Employee Health documentation system to ensure the goals of the department are met while streamlining staffing efforts to ensure the most time efficient system with reduction in documentation duplicity.
• Assures compliance with and keeps current on State and Federal legislative changes.
• Assures DNV, ISO, OSHA, FDA, CDC and other regulatory agency guidelines are incorporated into hospital policies and are enforced.
• Establishes and monitors annual EH&W budget and adheres to staffing budget.
• Maintains working relationships with Business and Health, vendors, and outside agencies.
• Provides oversight, supervision, and training of members of EH Team (Registered Nurse, Admin).
• Coordinates the Early Return program for employees who have lost time due to workplace injuries with the goal of reducing lost time and deterring inappropriate reports of injuries. 
• Ensures all ADA regulations are being met for any short-term employee accommodation request while referring any long-term accommodation requests to the director of Employee Experience.
• Consults with the Medical Director and Director of business and health regarding on-boarding protocols to ensure they meet state and federal guidelines.
• Represents St Joseph Nashua at the corporate level by actively engaging in the employee health and wellness committee led by the SVP and CMO and the Infection Preventionists and EH Leaders at each of the three acute hospitals.
• Case manager for St. Joseph Hospital’s workers compensation program.  Ensuring inappropriate cases are brought to the attention of our WC agency for immediate review and potential denial.
• Represents SJH at Dept of Labor hearings as requested by legal counsel.
• Creates and provides reports for various leaders at the hospital and corporate level such as DART, WPV stats for hospital and NH state reporting, NHSN Covid vaccinations, Daily Safety committee report, Environment of Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Sharps and BBP Exposures, OSHA required, Bureau of Labor injury stats, Infection Control committee, and annual NHSN Flu reporting as well as other miscellaneous reports by request.
• Monitor the Clinical VAT committee meetings with an eye on new products brought into the facility to ensure employee safety and wellness.  Approve all new sharps products that do not have an automatic safety feature.
• Determines trends and patterns through analysis of data obtained and formulates corrective actions to meet the vision and goals of the department. 
• Other duties as consistent with this role.

Job Requirements

Job Knowledge and Skills

• Completes mandatory online learning modules.
• Ability to work independently and interact with many departmental leaders and employees in a professional and confidential manner.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of; vaccination requirements, Covid and Flu requirements, illnesses that can affect our employee population and state and federal labor laws.  Researching CDC, immunize.org, NIOSH, OSHA and CDC and other prominent web sites that will help maintain knowledge of employee health related issues.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to employee health matters.

Education and Experience

• Current New Hampshire RN license required.
• Basic Life Support certification required.
• BSN strongly preferred.
• MSN preferred.
• Strong background in occupational and/or employee health preferred.
• Past leadership experience of 3-5 years preferred.
• Nursing experience in a hospital setting preferred.

An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Must possess the physical and mental abilities to perform the tasks normally associated with this position that involves a combination of sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching. Occasional lifting/carrying of supplies and equipment up to 25 lbs.  Some stress related to high level of responsibility for quality care.

Americans with Disabilities Statement

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

Compassion

We show respect, caring and sensitivity towards all, honoring the dignity of each person, especially the poor, vulnerable and suffering. 

Integrity

We promote justice and ethical behavior, and responsibly steward our human, financial and environmental resources. 

Collaboration

We work in partnership, dialogue and shared purpose to create healthy communities. 

Excellence

We deliver all services with the highest level of quality, while seeking creative innovation. 

We are an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability status, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, protected veteran status, national origin, genetic information or any other legally protected status.