Director of Occupational Medicine

22-Mar-2024

Campus Services

65383BR

Job Summary

The Director of Occupational Health will provide leadership and direction in developing and implementing a new university-wide Occupational Health program. 

This program is accountable to an executive governance team that includes Harvard University Health Services, Human Resources, and Campus Services on behalf of schools and units throughout the University. 

This individual will have a dotted line reporting relationship to the Associate Provost for Campus Health and Wellbeing, the Vice President of Human Resources, and the Vice President of Campus Services to create systems that promote a healthy work environment for the Harvard community. 

This position will work closely with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in Campus Services to bring current services into alignment and begin building new services in accordance with an implementation plan for institution-wide Occupational Health at Harvard University. 

This role will be responsible for oversight of all aspects of the clinical operations, as well as day-to-day administration and operations. 

The Director will provide strategic leadership to develop health programs and processes that mitigate risks, develops, and provides metrics to senior leadership, and promotes professional and consistent practice among associated clinical and administrative services. 

The Director will lead a program that provides work-related health services with the goals of preventing and minimizing employee health risks in the organization, meeting regulatory compliance requirements, and providing an optimal work environment for all Harvard employees. 

Position Description

• Utilizing the results of the Occupational Health Scope Assessment, operationalizes a multi-year implementation plan to provide standardized comprehensive occupational health services on all campuses.
• Oversees the day-to-day workflow in Occupational Health, with full knowledge that this is a newly created program in start-up mode building and aggregating services.
• Responsible for hiring and onboarding of clinical and administrative staff, with attention to priorities and budget as outlined in the strategic plan.
• Manages operating budget.
• Develops and recommends internal standards, policies, clinical protocols, and quality control metrics to improve efficiency and clinical care. 
• Initiates and leads on-going quality assessment and improvement of clinical programs.
• Provides supervision to clinical and administrative staff. Recognizes potential problems in the department involving technical and/or staff issues and addresses concerns promptly.
• Participates in the selection, configuration, and implementation of the Occupational Health Information System and in developing and overseeing interim records management solutions until more robust IS technology is operational. 
• Oversees workers’compensation cases services in collaboration with the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. Provides guidance regarding work restriction and/or job modifications. Works with Consulting Occupational Health Physician to best manage substantial risk cases.
• In collaboration with Human Resources, HUHS, and EHS, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Develops and implements medical surveillance programs for pre-employment and periodic health maintenance to manage health risks. Ensures that specific assessments and immunizations align with employees’ roles. 
• Oversees and provides guidance for fitness for duty evaluations.
• Participates in developing and refining the incident management process for workplace injuries/illnesses and potential issues.
• Participates in and represent OHS on relevant institutional safety committees, provides guidance around health issues affecting researchers, animal care staff, and other personnel who work in or enter research spaces, and works closely with key stakeholders such as safety, regulatory, and compliance leadership with the chairs of institutional research oversight committees, and others.
• Responsible for maintaining the security and confidentiality of protected health and personal information and maintaining appropriate records and databases to ensure organizational compliance with mandated reporting requirements.
• Maintains key metrics of patient volume and types of services requested. Assessesand justifies need for change in staffing patterns as appropriate.

Basic Qualifications

• Knowledge and skills typically acquired through completion of a master’s degree in nursing or an advanced degree in another field of health and at least 8-10 years of relevant experience. Education may count towards experience.
• Leadership skills, creative problem-solving abilities, and at least 5 years of leadership experience
• Strong analytical skills to resolve highly complex  problems requiring the application of clinical, scientific, or technical principles, and concepts and in-depth, cross-functional experienced-based knowledge.
• Skill and experience with continuous process improvement, quality management, and patient safety.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively present information, deal with conflicting views or issues, and mediate fair solutions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs and electronic medical record system applications.
• Must be able to use database applications, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, SharePoint, and Teams. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Knowledge of workers’ compensation, HIPAA, OSHA, ADA, and FMLA requirements.
• Experience in an academic or industry research-related occupational health setting is highly desirable but not required.
• Experience in building and administering an occupational health clinic.
• Demonstrated ability to build and cultivate relationships with partners and stakeholders. Expected to lead diverse teams consisting of non-direct reports, requiring high degree of collaboration and inspiring confidence with team members.
• Project management experience.
• A collaborative and inclusive professional style with the ability to build strategic relationships with staff at all levels.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills (written, verbal, listening) with the ability to make strategic connections and maintain discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism.

Special Requirements - The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

On Campus Requirements  -  This position is expected to be on-site. Periodic travel among Longwood, Allston, and Cambridge campuses may be required.

Working Conditions

Emergency Status Designation:  Critical Operations Personnel   

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

360061 Admin Offcr/SrIndiv Contrib

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

Environmental Health & Safety

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Employment, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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