Job Description
RESEARCH INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST
Req #: 236383 Department: ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Job Location: Seattle Campus Posting Date: 07/03/2024 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: 50% of $6,000 - $7,666 per month Other Compensation: Shift: First Shift Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website,
click here. As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.
The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, housed in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington has an opening for a part-time permanent Research Industrial Hygienist (payroll title: Research Coordinator, grade 8) to support departmental programs providing service, expertise, and training to the region’s workforce with a focus on Washington state workers. The Research Industrial Hygienist will have the opportunity to join the occupational and environmental medicine health care providers in a clinic located at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Additional time will be spent with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Sciences (DEOHS) Continuing Education program staff and clients developing and providing health and safety professional development programs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Clinic Support (50%): The Research Industrial Hygienist provides comprehensive exposure assessments of patients to assist physicians in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) Clinic to help determine causation of work-related and environmental injuries and illnesses. The OEM Clinic is part of an academic training environment for medical residents and fellows. The Research Industrial Hygienist will provide expertise to the residents through the clinic care visits. Specific duties include:
• Conduct research into potential patient exposures and provide documentation used by the OEM clinic physicians for causation determinations: assess chemical and physical hazards; conduct patient interviews; obtain Safety Data Sheets; perform research and literature reviews; document reports in the electronic medical record system; and perform outreach to employers, unions, community industrial hygienists, state agency representatives, insurance companies and others. May also obtain trade secret ingredient information from product manufacturers to facilitate patient care and ensure trade secret information is handled properly by attending physicians and occupational medicine residents and fellows. Due to the sensitive nature of the protected health information (PHI), all work will be conducted in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Generate assessments based on the following: conduct exposure history based on patient interview; analyze various exposure records; conduct research into the relationships between exposure and disease; recommend personal protection equipment and engineering controls; provide patient education on strategies to reduce exposures; conduct patient-related work site visits; characterize a patient’s workplace exposures in the context of patient care; serve as a resource if legal testimony if required under the worker’s compensation system; and maintain professional network of IH and safety professionals and remain up-to-date on existing and emerging workplace exposures.
• Mentor Occupational Medicine residents in their clinical practice and while conducting research for their MPH degrees.
• Under supervision of the Field Group Director and Clinic Director, may author technical reports and publications in peer-reviewed journals and prepare and make professional presentations on a regional and national level.
• Collaborate with Washington State governmental agencies, trade associations, labor groups and independent businesses supporting and sustaining a professional network of health and safety.
• Collaborate with residents on their research projects by assisting with the development of study methodologies, review and interpretation of results, and sitting on thesis committees.
• Other duties: Participate in the training of residents with focus on Research Industrial Hygienist assessments; may develop on-line instructional materials; may assist with the design and implementation of quality improvement projects; track data used by hospital leadership and WA LNI, which may include clinic industrial hygiene services (e.g. the demand versus capacity, exposure, disease states, etc.); serve as subject matter expert and contribute to development and renewal of contracts and accreditations.
• Work with the Clinic Director on special research projects, as needed.
Continuing Education Support (50%): The staff member will bring occupational health and safety expertise and professional networks to the department’s team providing continuing education to medical professionals, health and safety representatives and others.
• Course development, implementation, evaluation: participate in the multiple course offerings providing occupational health and safety expertise. Review, synthesize and track DEOHS/ERC faculty research and summarize for CE newsletters, social media, etc. Engage faculty and professionals to serve as course directors, instructors, and advisory committee members in the specialized course planning, implementation and evaluation. Advise providers on the best methods to translate research findings to the practice community.
• Conduct in-depth research to develop and write abstracts detailing practice gaps and how a particular course will serve the needs of the medical community.
• Coordinate the continuing medical and nursing accreditation process for the courses. Work with faculty, safety professionals and other subject matter experts to evaluate continuing educational programs that meet continuing medical education requirements.
• Oversee and contribute expertise in the implementation of the evaluation plan, metrics and impact surveys for programs.
• Assist in the development of needs assessment surveys, analyze data and prepare reports to guide future programming.
• Foster and build upon existing contacts and relationships with business, labor, and professional organizations to explore new relationships in collaboration with CE program leadership.
• Work with the CE Director on special projects as needed.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS • Master’s degree in chemistry, industrial hygiene, environmental health, public health, engineering or related field and CIH credential.
• Minimum one year of experience as an industrial hygienist in field-based industrial hygiene exposure assessment and control evaluation.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to cultivate strong and collaborative relationships within the service entities, departments, across the University, and externally with peers.
• Demonstrated ability work as part of a collaborative and interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated accountability, sound decision-making, time management, prioritization.
• Capable of successfully managing multiple projects with critical deadlines.
• Self-motivation and ability to self-direct and lead in situations with ambiguity.
• Proficiency with data management and analysis tools in a Windows environment, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Must have current WA state driver’s license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Master’s degree in industrial hygiene or related field with two or more years of experience in industrial hygiene.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of multiple industries in Washington State, such as aircraft manufacturing, hospitals and healthcare, veterinary medicine, construction, hazardous waste management.
• Consultation experience with chemical exposures, air pollution, ergonomics, hearing conservation, mold exposure, occupational and environmental regulations.
• Experience in a clinic setting.
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .
Apply for this job