Safety Officer Job Description

 

 

Position Title:        Laboratory Safety Officer

Department:           Clinical Laboratory

Reports to:            Laboratory Director

 

Qualifications (Minimum Requirements)

 

  • Bachelor’s degree in chemical physical, biological or clinical laboratory science
  • Experience in a clinical laboratory – two years required, four years preferred
  • SLS(ASCP) certification preferred

 Responsibilities

 

  • Oversees the safety activities of the laboratory
  • Performs annual safety audit
  • Oversees annual chemical inventory and obtains MSDS as needed
  • Maintains current and archived MSDS 
  • Maintains records of exposures, medical examination follow up and employee return to work requirements
  • Reviews all laboratory safety policies and creates or modifies policies and procedures as necessary
  • Documents all safety related activities
  • Coordinates new employee and annual safety training
  • Enforces daily safety practices
  • Develops an annual safety competency for each lab employee
  • Serves a Laboratory Safety Committee Chair
  • Conducts laboratory safety committee meetings at least quarterly
  • Represents the laboratory at the facility’s safety committee
  • Serves as the Chemical Hygiene Officer
  • Coordinates fire drills to attain 100% participation of lab staff throughout the year
  • Interacts with a variety of regulatory agencies and professionals including OSHA, DOT, EPA and ANSI as well as CAP or Joint Commission, as applicable

 Performance Expectations

 

  • Performs safety related functions in accordance with the standards and safety requirements of the facility
  • Takes direction from the Laboratory Director or designee
  • Develops policies and procedures for the establishment of a safe and comfortable laboratory environment
  • Works with other members of the laboratory management team
  • Brings ideas, thoughts and concerns to the laboratory management team
  • Works independently and as a team member
  • Looks for ways to improve laboratory safety processes and eliminate waste of resources
  • Assumes responsibility of risk and safety issues associated with the position
  • Prepares reports and other documentation that are required by regulatory agencies and are utilized to support the Safety Program
  • Provides input into operational and capital equipment budget as it relates to safety
  • Documents all laboratory accidents and injuries

 Competencies

 

  • Collects and researches data
  • Demonstrates attention to detail
  • Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner
  • Shares expertise with others
  • Responds promptly to customer needs
  • Speaks clearly and persuasively; demonstrates group presentation skills
  • Writes clearly and informatively
  • Gives and welcomes feedback; builds morale
  • Aligns work with strategic goals
  • Works within approved budget
  • Exhibits sound and accurate judgment and initiative
  • Works with computer spreadsheet software and word processing
  • Works independently to organize the safety activities and report problems and solutions to the proper staff

 Physical Demands

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stoop or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

 

Work Environment

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee has potential for exposure to infectious substances, hazardous chemicals and/or hazardous waste and occasional exposure to moving equipment, the risks of which are minimized through compliance with established safety policies and procedures.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.