The
Risk Management & Workplace Safety Director is responsible for the strategic direction, day-to-day management, and regulatory integrity of ECHMN's enterprise risk & workplace safety program across its outpatient and ambulatory clinic network. The role unifies four functions that are frequently siloed at smaller medical networks: workplace and environmental safety, insurance and claims management, and risk-related regulatory compliance. The Risk Director partners closely with Clinical Operations, Quality, Facilities, Human Resources, Legal, and clinical leadership to reduce loss exposure, protect patients and staff, and manage the organization's insurance and claim portfolio. The Director manages and develops direct-report risk/safety staff and serves ECHMN's primary point of accountability for risk management within the Compliance & Risk department.
Essential Functions:
Workplace & Environmental Safety- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks, including OSHA recordkeeping and reporting, Joint Commission/accreditor Environment of Care standards, life safety code requirements, and state/local occupational safety regulations.
- Lead incident investigation for workforce injuries and workplace safety events; drive corrective action and prevention across clinic sites.
- Develop and oversee safety training and education programs for staff across the medical network, and conduct risk assessments, safety audits, and Environment of Care rounding, tracking findings through to resolution.
- Lead emergency management planning and preparedness activities for the ambulatory network.
Insurance & Claims Management- Manage ECHMN's professional and general liability claims portfolio, from first notice through resolution, ensuring timely notification to insurance carriers and third-party administrators.
- Serve as the network's primary liaison for claims and litigation matters, coordinating with defense counsel, carriers, and the Legal department on case strategy, reserves, and settlement input.
- Oversee certificates of insurance, coverage questions, and insurance program administration relevant to clinic operations and contracted vendors.
- Track loss trends and claims data to identify emerging risk areas and inform prevention priorities across the network.
Compliance, Operations & Cross-Functional Partnership- Support alignment of ECHMN's risk and workplace safety program with enterprise (ECH) standards and methodology where applicable, in coordination with the Director of Compliance.
- Serve as ECHMN's primary liaison to external regulators, surveyors, and auditors on risk, safety, and claims-related matters.
- Partner with Facilities, Human Resources, Clinical Operations, Quality, Legal, and Emergency Management on cross-functional safety, compliance, and risk initiatives affecting outpatient operations.
People Leadership- Manage, mentor, and develop direct-report risk/safety staff, including workload prioritization, performance management, and career development.
- Build a scalable team structure as claims, clinical risk, and safety workload grows across the network.
Minimum Requirements:- Bachelor's degree in nursing, occupational safety, risk management, healthcare administration, or a related field.
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive experience spanning healthcare risk management, workplace/environmental safety, or claims management, with experience in an outpatient, ambulatory, or medical group setting strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, Joint Commission or equivalent accreditor of Environment of Care standards, applicable state health and safety codes, and the professional/general liability claims process.
- Strong track record of cross-functional collaboration, regulatory liaison work, and staff development.
Preferred: - Master's degree in a related field.
- Professional certification such as Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP).
- Clinical background (RN or equivalent) or JD, given the roles exposure to patient safety events and claims/litigation matters.
- Experience managing an insurance/claims program, including carrier and defense-counsel coordination.
Working Conditions:- Regular travel across ECHMN outpatient/ambulatory clinic sites required.
- Availability for incident response and escalation outside standard business hours as needed.
