Department Overview:
The Injury Prevention Specialist plays a vital role in enhancing the safety and well-being of patients and staff at OHSU by serving as a subject matter expert and leader in Safe Patient Mobilization (SPM). This position sits within OHSU’s Occupational Health department, which is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health, safety, and productivity of OHSU’s workforce. The Injury Prevention Specialist is responsible for developing, delivering, and evaluating comprehensive training and coaching programs aimed at reducing injuries related to patient handling. The specialist partners closely with departments across the organization to ensure a culture of safety and sustained improvements in SPM practices, including the appropriate and consistent use of equipment.
Function/Duties of Position:
Training Development & Facilitation:
- Provides education and training on safe patient mobilization best practices
- Designs curriculum, e-learning modules, lesson plans, presentation materials and handouts; Incorporates adult learning theory into curriculum design
- Ensures training materials meet instructional objectives and quality standards
- Develops competencies relevant to SPM
- Serves as a facilitator with assigned SPM projects and priorities.
Consultation & Coaching:
- Serves as a leader and clinical advisor in SPM methodologies
- Provides individualized and group coaching on best practices regarding SPM equipment use.
- Assists and supports department leadership teams and staff in using SPM processes and equipment
- Serves as a resource to staff in applying SPM in challenging clinical environments
- Provides site support during SPM program implementation.
Evaluation & Rounding:
- Conducts observational rounds to monitor SPM practices; provides feedback and targeted education; recommends monitoring activities.
Project Management:
- Provides project management, change management, and performance improvement methodology to areas in which patient care is delivered
- Projects future SPM needs and assists in development of project budget
- Establishes plans and procedures including standard work and daily management systems to assure that improvements are realized and sustained
- Participates in data collection and analysis
- Evaluates project impact, effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability of processes and outcomes.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Collaborates with departments, leadership, and safety teams to assess needs, eliminate equipment use barriers, and implement sustainable change.
- Bachelor’s Degree and 4 years’ related experience; OR
- A license with the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board as a Physical Therapist; OR
- Completed an accredited physical therapy educational program and be eligible to obtain an Oregon Physical Therapy license or temporary permit.
- At time of appointment must have at least a temporary permit.
- Minimum of 3 years of related experience in a healthcare or clinical setting focused on patient care, injury prevention, or ergonomics.
- Experience providing training or coaching, preferably in topics related to patient mobilization, safety, or equipment use.
- Knowledge of Safe Patient Mobilization (SPM) principles, practices, and equipment.
- Understanding of ergonomics, body mechanics, and injury prevention strategies in a clinical setting.
- Ability to design and deliver effective training using adult learning principles.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to coach and influence behavior change.
- Experience leading or supporting Safe Patient Mobilization (SPM) initiatives in a healthcare system.
- Experience in developing and delivering training curriculum or e-learning modules.
- Experience with project management or performance improvement methodologies.
- This is a 1.0 FTE position with a flexible schedule to be arranged within standard department hours, Monday – Friday, depending on operational and meeting needs.
- The role will be primarily on-site rounding and providing hands-on skills training in patient care areas, with occasional remote work for administrative, planning, and evaluation duties.