Health and Safety Associate

The Health and Safety Associate is a member of both the St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre Brantford team and the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph team. The role supports the philosophy and mission of the Lifecare Centre and Health Centre and the established goals, objectives and policies of each organization.

An integral member of the Human Resources Team, the Health and Safety Associate promotes and maintains a healthy workplace through monitoring the physical, mental and social well-being of workers.

This role is responsible for providing proactive disability case management services to employees with short or long term disabilities, workplace injuries and ensures compliance with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Human Rights Code. This includes facilitating employee re-integration to the workplace through planning, implementing and coordinating timely modified work programs, liaising, coordinating and collaborating with diverse groups, including: health care providers, disability insurance carriers, union partners, managers, supervisors and employees for successful outcomes. The incumbent of this role will assist in the day to day operation of Occupational Health and Safety by ensuring all decisions and actions are made in accordance with current legislation, collective agreements, benefit provisions and organizational policies and procedures.

**Primary Responsibilities**:

- Develop and implement best practices in the delivery of Occupational Health and Safety.
- Oversees cases and co-ordinates the administration of WSIB, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability to ensure uninterrupted income for injured and ill employees.
- In consultation, provides liaison with insurance/benefits carriers, WSIB representatives, medical professionals, and any other necessary parties.
- Assists departmental personnel (manager) to ensure all work related injuries are reported to the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB), ensuring accurate and timely completion of required forms.
- Works with employee manager to ensure that the employer’s Incident/Accident Reports are completed thoroughly, logged, and filed with the Board.
- Coordinates modified return to work programs and referrals for injured or ill workers for both work related and non-occupational issues.
- Works with managers / supervisors regarding appropriate workplace accommodation or training for injured/ill workers.
- Assists and acts as a consultant in developing policies and procedures.
- Involved in Health and Safety matters relating to the workplace and the employee, working in consultation to make recommendations to safety policies and programs as needed.
- Performs and/or refers ergonomic assessments in relation to work place issues for occupational and non-occupation disabilities.
- Work collaboratively with managers to address their unique safety, occupational health and wellness needs.
- Facilitates the development of all modified/ accommodated work programs with departmental managers for effectiveness and efficiency.
- Participate in risk management activities including monitoring all accident/incidents, gathering and analyzing data, and benchmarking against the industry.
- Implement WSIB Excellence Program.
- Passionately promote, monitor and encourage a safe, healthy workplace that supports a safe and effective return to work program.
- Participates in monitoring and effective management of all lost time injury, and absenteeism, with the goal of reducing all absenteeism.
- Plan, coordinate, execute, promote and evaluate wellness programs and initiatives.
- Involved in wellness, providing counselling and referral services as required.
- Monitor performance measures that assess the value of the Health, Safety and Wellness program.
- Prepare reports and analyses evaluating wellness programs and participant satisfaction.
- Refer employees to appropriate programs including Employee Assistance Program.
- Investigate and report on complaints of hazardous working conditions.
- Other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications**:

- Degree or Diploma in Human Resources, Employee Health and Wellness Related Program, or applicable health related discipline or a combination of relevant post secondary education and experience, including advanced disability claims management.
- Occupational Health and/or Disability Management Certification considered an asset.
- Minimum three (3) years of experience including advanced disability claims management.
- Experience in a Healthcare setting an asset.
- Excellent interpersonal, decision-making and problem solving skills.
- Superior organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to work independently and self-directed, demonstrated ability to lead by example.
- Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills.
- Demonstrated understanding of continuous quality improvement principles and tools.
- Demonstrated skills and experience related to minimum legisla