Industrial Hygienist (Recruitment/ Relocation Incentive)

About the role

The position is responsible for planning, coordinating, evaluating, implementing, and administering a comprehensive industrial hygiene program at all Finger Lakes Healthcare System (FLHCS) facilities engaged in medical, surgical, long-term, residential and outpatient care.

Responsibilities

• Serves as Industrial Hygienist for two campus style Medical Centers, one large Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), and several small rural CBOCs.
• Conducts surveys of working conditions to determine the nature and magnitude of hazardous exposures and the effectiveness of existing control measures.
• Works with management and labor representatives to ensure elimination or control of identified hazards and compliance with and occupational safety and health regulations and standards.
• Conduct inspections and surveys to identify potential health hazards and presence of hazardous conditions.
• Establishes adequate and reasonable abatement schedules and resolution of occupational safety and health hazards, such as those associated with airborne chemical contaminants, harmful noise levels, inadequate ventilation, temperature extremes or inadequate illumination that may impact the healthcare system or its processes.
• Led the development of industrial hygiene goals, policy, and procedural documentation for the FL HCS, in accordance with occupational safety and health regulations and guidelines.
• Works closely with facility leadership to review how industrial hygiene considerations are integrated into the planning and operational activities of the facility for which the position is responsible.
• Covers industrial hygiene activities with regional representatives and supports the development of integrated planning for all facilities within the region.
• Participates with local, network, and national-level committees to ensure that consistent and appropriate industrial hygiene measures are followed.
• Prepares technical reports on any aspect concerning Industrial Hygiene Programs for distribution to VACO, VISN office, facility management and employees, and employee representatives.
• Conducts background reviews of areas surveyed and of the characteristics of the work processes (i.e. chemical inventories, handling, storage and disposal methods) to ensure compliance with applicable standards and requirements contained in VA Directives and applicable federal, state and local regulations.
• Assists in obtaining Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for hazardous materials used within the healthcare system and shall review these SDSs to ensure compliance with proper use, storage, PPE, and disposal of hazardous chemicals and agents.
• Ensures that employees receive education and training employees on the proper utilization of this information.
• Investigates incidents resulting in physical injury or occupational exposure and advises supervisors on the adequacy and effectiveness of existing safety procedures and recommends any corrective action needed.

Qualifications

• To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Individual Occupational Requirements: The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• BASIC REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health sciences, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, safety sciences, or related science; Or, a bachelor's degree in a branch of engineering, physical science, or life science that included 12 semester hours in chemistry, including organic chemistry, and 18 additional semester hours of courses in any combination of chemistry, physics, engineering, health physics, environmental health, biostatistics, biology, physiology, toxicology, epidemiology, or industrial hygiene.
• Selective Placement Factor: Experience with asbestos sampling and the semi-annual inspections, fit testing, working with individuals who have indoor air complaints, and conducting indoor air sampling.