Physical Environment Specialist

Overview

Provides information on the intent, applicability, and survey of standards in response to inquiries from internal andexternal customers within specified turnaround times to provide excellent customer service. Provides support inthe accreditation review process, as well as participates as a consultant in the development and revision ofstandards and survey process. Serves as faculty for surveyor and other education programs and represents theJoint Commission as liaison to various professional organizations. Serves as a mentor/coach/leader to the LifeSafety Code Specialists and provides additional support to accredited organizations and consultants. Is an activemember of the Healthcare Environment: Technical Advisory Council (HE: TAC).

This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 2 days each week (detemined by the department) in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Responsibilities

Position Accountabilities:• Provides internal support to the Joint Commission’s various departments, including the Division of HealthcareImprovement (DIVHI), the Standards Interpretation Group (SIG), Office of Quality Monitoring (OQM), Division ofAccreditation and Certification (AO) including various SBUs, Division of Standards and SurveyMethodology(DSSM) and Joint Commission Resources (JCR).• Provides support to the Accreditation Decision process including surveying, scans, clarifications, adversedecision review, review of corrective actions, presenting adverse survey results to the to the AccreditationCommittee, and participating in Review Hearing Panels (RHP) and Final Resolution Actions. Serves as contactfor surveyors’ onsite when determinations need to be made regarding the triggering of potential decision rulesincluding but not limited to immediate threat to health and safety• Develops and participates in education activities supporting external customers, such as accreditedorganizations, JCR/JSN/JCI staff and consultants. This support will be use different venues including FAQs,Media Relations, Speakers Bureau, advocacy partners (i.e. Liaison Network), Joint Commission Resources(including articles and educational events) as well as other opportunities. This may occur during normalbusiness hours or during evening/weekend hours to accommodate the participants.• Develops and participates in education activities supporting internal customers such as surveyors (i.e., NFROand AEC), SIG Staff, and Account Executives. Education through telephone and electronic communication,correspondence, faculty presentations for surveyors and selected field education programs, conferences andother speaking engagements. This may occur during normal business hours or during evening/weekend hoursto accommodate the participants. Provides assistance to the orientation process of those assigned, as well asnew surveyors (including Life Safety Code Specialists). Assures that the learning needs of the individual areidentified and met. Military Fellows are provided opportunities to learn Joint Commission processes.• Serves as evaluator and consultant to accredited organizations as assigned in review of the annual periodicperformance review (PPR) through scheduled conference calls. Reviews annual PPR submissions andcontacts organizations with problematic Plans of Action and Measures of Success, whether or not a conferencecall is requested. Assists the Standards Interpretation Group in this process. Serves as coordinator andcustomer advocate in areas associated with the Statement of Conditions (SOC) including the Basic BuildingInformation (BBI), the Plan for Improvement (PFI) and extension requests. Resolution in documented in theHistory Audit Trail.• Provides information on the intent, applicability, and survey or standards in response to inquiries from internaland external customers within specified turnaround times to provide excellent customer service. Takes theopportunity to provide examples to accredited organizations based on their expertise. Assists the StandardsInterpretation Group in this process. Participates with Program Executive Directors. PTACs, and other programspecific initiatives, providing standards knowledge and expertise. Develops and manages the content in theDepartment of Engineering section in the Joint Commission website. The Engineer is an active member of theHealthcare Environment: Technical Advisory Council (HE: TAC).• Serves as Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) conducting Life Safety Code building analysis regarding grantingTraditional Equivalencies or Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES) equivalencies. Reviews drawings andtechnical specifications information, confirms mathematical calculations in submittals to determine adequatealternative Life Safety Code features exist.• Serves as a resource to accredited organizations and consultants specific to the National Fire ProtectionAssociation (NFPA) body of codes, including but not limited to 101-2012, 99-2012 NFPA 70-2011 (NEC).Serves as a