Health Services Specialist at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Health Services Specialist in the in the Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Function . The incumbent will be responsible for developing, planning, directing and co-ordinating Medical Centre and Health Services in the organisation including a risk-based occupational medical surveillance programme; an occupational hygiene programme and ensuring compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements and certification of international standards in order to achieve organisational objectives. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

Medical and Health Services Planning

• Develop and implement Occupational Health Management (OHM) as well as
• Primary Health Care (PHC) management programmes.
• Ensure that Medical and Health Services (M&HS) requirements, systems, practices and processes are established, developed, implemented and complied with in the organisation.
• Develop and administer CSIR health services incentive programmes, including the evaluation of effectiveness of such programmes in positively changing employee behaviour.
• Ensure that the organisation is compliant with the applicable health legislation and regulatory requirements such as Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Disease Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, etc.
• Ensure compliance to international occupational health management standard such as OHSAS 18001/ ISO 45001.
• Develop appropriate / applicable and comprehensive medical surveillance plans for all CSIR employees.
• Develop and communicate annual calendar of M&HS events / priorities.
• Provide leadership, guidance and technical support to the organisation with regard to M&HS.
• Ensure Injuries on Duty are recorded, managed and reported to the Department of Labour in line with the requirements of the relevant Acts.
• Ensure the Medical Centre services and other M&HS events are carried out in line with departmental budget allocations.

Medical and Health Services Implementation

• Ensure implementation of adequate controls for all occupational health and hygiene hazards to - Valid risk register eliminate or minimise the level of risk, as well as monitoring and maintenance of such controls to ensure optimal use and functioning.
• Ensure that all occupational health and hygiene training needs are identified and that there is available means to meet these training needs.
• Ensure optimal usage of the Medical Centre (MC) and provision of equal services at all CSIR sites. This includes providing responsive M&HS service delivery aligned with organisational requirements /needs.
• Ensure all efforts with to occupational health and primary health care are aligned with CSIR policies and relevant assessments
• Implement standards of performance, benchmarks and key health service performance indicators that allow accurate measurement of performance and improvement.
• Participate in the development of learning and awareness materials necessary for a comprehensive employee, contractor, visitor and tenants training programme including training modules designed to meet or exceed the M&HS goals of the CSIR.
• Develop and implement solutions for health and safety emergencies preparedness and disaster management plans for all CSIR sites.
• Plan and conduct M&HS communication, training / education and awareness campaign in the organisation.
• Ensure implementation of new legislation as it relates to primary and occupational health care and act as a contact for regulatory agencies regarding matters involving primary and occupational health.

Medical and Health Services Performance Evaluation

• Ensure all M&HS related incidents, non-conformities (NCs) are identified, investigated, reported, guidance provided relative to employee health programme and regulatory compliance relative to health issues and corrective measures are put in place to prevent recurrence. This includes managing a corrective action requests (CAR) system.
• Lead the process of conducting occupational health (OH) audits on tenants and contractors
• Monitor and analyse health services trends and developed measures aimed to improve CSIR health services management results.
• Evaluate effectiveness of health services and processes in achieving CSIR’s strategic goals and ensure compliance to legislative and standards requirements.
• Take full responsibility in preparations for annual internal and external OH audits in order to maintain certification against occupational health management system standard i.e. OHSAS 18001/ISO 45001
• Advice the organisation on effectiveness of occupational health management systems and processes in ensuring compliance, outline gaps if/where they exist and propose improvement plans for closure.
• Prepare and submit a monthly M&HS performance report to superiors.

Medical and Health Services Review

• Promote continual improvement in order to enhance M&HS performance in the organisation.
• Ensure M&HS Management Reviews (MRs) are planned and conducted within the organisation.

Human Resources Management

• Manage, mentor, coach and play an advisory role for staff growth and development.
• Conduct performance management contracting and reviews for all staff at the recommended periods, for the purpose of managing and improving both individuals’ performance and service delivery.
   

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A three-year degree in Occupational Health or equivalent in health services or a related discipline with at least 5 years occupational health management and leadership experience.
• Certificate in ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System: Requirements and Implementation.
• Experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of occupational health and Occupational Hygiene management systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of South African health management legislation, regulations, various Municipal By-Laws and provincial Government laws regarding Health Services compliance.
• Knowledge of principles and practices in Occupational Health and Hygiene Services.
• Exposure in a scientific research and development and/or pilot scale environment is recommended.
• Experience in risk management and risk control as a function.
• Experience in incident investigation and management
• Computer literacy as an advanced user as well as good administrative and analytical skills is required