Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Shirley Ryan Ability Lab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.

The Occupational Health & Safety Specialist is responsible for leading data-driven occupational safety initiatives focused on injury prevention, risk reduction, and workforce safety. This role partners with leadership to identify high-risk areas, implement targeted interventions, and deliver training and education that supports a culture of safety and regulatory compliance.

• Identifies, prioritizes, and implements targeted injury prevention initiatives based on analysis of OSHA recordables, trends, and high-risk job functions.
• Conducts workplace risk assessments and job hazard analyses (JHA) to proactively identify and mitigate hazards.
• Develops and implements evidence-based safety interventions to reduce employee injuries, including musculoskeletal and workplace-related incidents.
• Partners with operational and clinical leadership to develop unit-specific safety action plans and drive accountability for outcomes.
• Designs and delivers education and training programs on safe work practices, ergonomics, injury prevention, and regulatory requirements.
• Investigates employee injuries, incidents, and near misses; completes root cause analysis and implements corrective and preventive actions.
• Collects, analyzes, and interprets safety and injury data; prepares regular reports and dashboards for leadership review.
• Communicates trends, risks, and recommended strategies to leadership in a clear and actionable manner.
• Collaborates with Employee Health, Human Resources, and operational leaders on injury management.
• Ensures compliance with OSHA and applicable regulatory standards; maintains required documentation including incident reports, inspections, and training records.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and recommends continuous improvement strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.

• Reports to:
  
  Manager, Employee Occupational Health Services
• Works closely with:
  Employee Health, Human Resources, Benefits, Operational and Clinical Leadership, Infection Prevention, and Safety Committees

• Bachelor’s degree required. Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, or related field strongly preferred.

• Professional certification (CSP, ASP, or equivalent) preferred.

• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in an Occupational Health related field required. Experience in healthcare environment preferred.

• Experience with ergonomics programs, injury prevention strategies, and workers’ compensation processes preferred.

• Knowledge of occupational health and safety principles, OSHA standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Ability to analyze and interpret data to identify trends and drive targeted intervention strategies.

• Strong skills in conducting risk assessments, ergonomic evaluations, and incident investigations.

• Ability to work collaboratively with leadership and influence safety practices across departments.

• Effective communication and presentation skills, including the ability to educate staff and present to leadership.

• Strong…