Overview:
Position will be responsible for administration, design, implementation, and programmatic oversight of the Mercyhealth Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) Coalition Grant. Mercyhealth is the designated Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Region One, Regional Hospital Coordinating Center (RHCC) hospital in Northwest Illinois and operates the Northwest Illinois Preparedness and Response Coalition (NIPARC) funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). This position is also referred to as the Readiness Response Coordinator in federal documentation.
The position is responsible for coordinating multiple projects, including assessments, developing response plans, trainings, exercises, special needs planning, fiscal management, and program evaluation in the nine-county area of Northwest Illinois. This position requires on-going maintenance and compliance with all Mercyhealth, IDPH, HHS- ASPR Grant (and all other related emergency management grants), Winnebago County, OSHA, CDC, ISO, NFPA and Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) requirements. Work requires knowledge of current healthcare and emergency management principles and best practices. The position requires tracking and reporting of projects and deliverables on a monthly basis to the NIPARC Executive Board and IDPH. This person will work independently at times, in coordination with local, state, and federal stakeholders, political positions, corporate healthcare leadership, and NIPARC members. Position must be familiar with and support Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8 planning across the region and state.
The program must be in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and auditor guidelines at all time. Program is subject to audits by state, federal, and third party agencies.
Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develops, implements, and evaluated emergency preparedness related plans, procedures, protocols, and agreements in coordination with local, regional, and state partners by:

• Writing and producing comprehensive emergency preparedness plans and annexes to prepare members and regional partners for designated emergency planning, response and recovery efforts
• Updating plans to address identified gaps resulting from After Action Reports/Improvement Plans created from exercises and actual emergency incidents
• Coordinating and developing a NIPARC Hazard Vulnerability Analysis to assess regional resources, support planning for speciation population, and prioritize gaps and mitigation strategies.
• Working with NIPARC members, Medical Director and designated partners to develop training curricula and facilitate trainings and exercise to all members of NIPARC.
• Create plans, procedures, protocols, and agreements, and evaluate these through the development and implementation of trainings and exercises compliant with Homeland Security exercises and Evaluation Program.
• Providing support to NIPARC members in addressing identified gaps resulting from AAR/IPs, as needed
• Coordination redundant communication drills with all HCC members to ensure functional communication systems
• Participate in meetings and committees related to program activities and responsibilities. These include but are not limited to: RHCC meetings, EMS for Children meetings, Region One EMS Meetings, NIPARC coalition meetings, NIST meetings, hospital meetings, and other IDPH requested meetings/engagements
• Serve as NIPARC Chairperson and primary contact for IDPH
• Plan and facilitate NIPARC meetings and NIPARC Executive Board meetings
• Serve as a liaison to hospitals, providing ongoing communications and updates from IDPH, IEMA, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain operational grant budget according to single source audit requirements (previously known as A-133 OMB Circular audits). Annual budget is solely based on IDPH grant allocations.
• Maintain cache of equipment, purchased through grant programs, assuring 24/7 operational readiness
• Provide guidance and expertise to other local, state, and federal organizations
• Develop and set coalition strategic plans, training and exercises plans, and work plans in consultation with Medical Director.
• Provide leadership and support for Incident Management Teams during emergencies. Assist with operation, activation, and staffing of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as requested and able.
• Participate in incident response teams (NIST, ReMERT, etc.), as requested and able
• Maintains compliance with all IDPH, HHS- ASPR Grant (and all other related emergency management grants), Winnebago County, OSHA, CDC, ISO, NFPA and Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behavior expectations:

Quality - Follows policies and procedures; adapts to and manages changes in the environment; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness giving attention to details; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Manages time and prioritizes effectively to achieve organizational goals.

Service - Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance; Follows the Mercyhealth Critical Moments of service; Meets commitments; Abides by MH confidentiality and security agreement; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; and effectively communicates information to partners; Thinks system wide regarding processes and functions.

Partnering - Shows commitment to the Mission of Mercyhealth and Culture of Excellence through all words and actions; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other's views; Demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement in day-to-day work; Gives and welcomes feedback; Generates suggestions for improving work: Embraces teamwork, supports and encourages positive change while giving value to individuals.

Cost - Conserves organization resources; Understands fiscal responsibility; Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelors degree or higher required; or minimum of 8 years relevant emergency management experience in lieu of educational requirement(s).

Previous emergency management and grants management experience.

Previous healthcare experience preferred.

Completion of ICS100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800 coursework required within 12 months of hire.

The below training is required within 6 months of hire:

• Hazardous Materials Awareness and Coordination training
• Hospital Incident Command training

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

Illinois Professional Emergency Manager Certification required within 2 years of hire.

International Association of Emergency Managers Certified Emergency Manager, preferred

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Passing the Drivers License Check and/or Credit Check (for those positions requiring).

Passing the WI Caregiver Background Check and/or IL Health Care Workers Background Check.

Must be able to follow written/oral instructions.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Must live within 60 miles of primary office (or relocate after accepting position).

Must be familiar with Microsoft programs including by not limited to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, and Outlook.

Must be able to maintain effective working relationships with other partners, representatives of other organizations, government agencies, and all members of the community

Must be fiscally responsible and be able to monitor grant finances per grant requirements.

Candidate must communicate effectively through writing, speaking and be skilled in public speaking.

Knowledge of principle, practice, techniques, and procedures related to emergency preparedness, planning, evaluation, statistical analysis and data interpretation.

Principles and methods of project management and evaluation including analysis, evaluation, report writing and grant writing.

While most work is done during business hours, position may be required to attend meetings, answer calls, or respond to events during off hours and on weekends.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Noise levels have the ability to be moderate to loud in external environments, during a response.

AGE OF PATIENTS SERVED

Non-Specific Task (N/A)

INFORMATION ACCESS

Partner may access patient care information, financial data, human resource data and strategic and planning data needed to perform their job duties as directed by the director.

WORK CONTACT GROUP

External agencies, local/state/federal agencies, partners, physicians, patients/family, visitors, vendors

SPECIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and occasionally lift and/move over 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. These Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without accommodations.

LEVEL OF SUPERVISION

Work is performed according to specific procedures and policies, but the incumbent must make decisions using independent judgment required in order to adapt to routine situations.

SUPERVISES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.