Job Summary
The Employee Safety Specialist will be dedicated to addressing Employee Harm and Workplace Violence Prevention throughout the University, with a primary emphasis on Michigan Medicine. This goal will be achieved by supporting thorough reviews of adverse and near-miss incidents. As a newly established position, the specialist will facilitate structured investigations, recommend improvements, and ensure ongoing compliance with state and federal regulations. Additionally, this role will be vital in overseeing the Workplace Violence Prevention Program and ensuring that event management aligns with standards set by CMS, The Joint Commission (TJC), and other regulatory bodies. The Employee Safety Specialist will report to the Director of Insurance and Claims Administration and have a dotted line reporting relationship to the Administrative Director of Patient Safety at Michigan Medicine. Close collaboration with leadership from the Office of Patient Safety, Work Connections, and Safety Management Services will also be required.
Responsibilities*
- Support and facilitate reviews of adverse events, near-misses, and serious harm incidents using root cause and trend analysis methodologies.
- Coordinate with leadership, supervisors, and staff to determine event timelines, identify root causes, and develop action plans to mitigate risks.
- Enhance compliance with Workplace Violence Prevention standards and Workers' Compensation regulations by maintaining current knowledge of state and federal requirements.
- Ensure ongoing adherence to regulatory standards set by CMS, The Joint Commission (TJC), and other oversight bodies.
- Develop, implement, and manage project timelines for policy and safety compliance initiatives related to employee harm and violence prevention.
- Proactively work to reduce the frequency and severity of serious harm events impacting employees.
- Collaborate with managers, safety teams, and multidisciplinary workgroups to improve workplace safety, staff morale, and operational efficiency.
- Measure, analyze, and communicate outcomes of interventions to refine and improve safety programs.
- Identify and recommend opportunities for continuous improvement in safety processes and protocols.
- Serve as a resource for staff and supervisors on workplace violence prevention strategies and safety policies.
- Develop, deliver, and support training and educational initiatives related to employee safety and violence prevention.
- Collect, analyze, and report data on workplace violence incidents and adverse events for leadership and compliance reporting.
- Maintain thorough, confidential, and accurate records of investigations, interventions, and follow-up actions.
- Respond to urgent or high-severity incidents as part of the institution's safety response protocols.
- Participate in committees, workgroups, and other collaborative efforts focused on employee safety, workplace violence prevention, and harm reduction.
- Stay current with industry best practices, guidelines, and emerging trends in workplace violence prevention and employee safety.
- Contribute to reduced claims costs and minimize departmental staffing burdens associated with replacing injured or absent employees due to workplace violence.
- Support alignment of event management and safety programs across Michigan Medicine and the broader University community.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
- Experience with safety event investigations and systematic analysis (e.g., Root Cause Analysis).
- Ability to synthesize and present findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments and communicate effectively with all levels of staff and leadership.
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience in healthcare safety or workers' compensation programs.
- Experience with regulatory compliance in a large, complex organization.
- Familiarity with CMS, TJC, and state Workers' Compensation requirements.
Modes of Work
This position is classified as remote. Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
The University of Michigan, with an operating budget of $10 billion, is a leader in higher education. The Finance Division reports to the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and partners with the University community to provide the financial infrastructure essential to being one of the world's greatest public universities. We are comprised of several units including Treasury, Financial Operations, Sponsored Programs, Procurement Services, and Financial Analysis. Comprised of several distinct divisions, we share a common set of values and goals. For more information about the Finance Division, please go to www.finance.umich.edu.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.