Over the past two decades, shortages of generic, injectable medications critical to the lifesaving work of hospitals in the United States have become commonplace and have reached an all time high. Over 300 essential medications are reported to be in shortage, according to industry and FDA reports. "Race to the bottom" pricing of mostly sterile injectable medications, manufacturing challenges and predatory pricing are both the causes and results.
Who suffers most? Patients.
Civica is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization established in 2018 by health systems (CommonSpirit Health, HCA Healthcare, Intermountain Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, Providence St. Joseph Health, SSM Health, and Trinity Health) and philanthropies (Gary and Mary West Foundation, Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and Peterson Center on Healthcare) to reduce chronic generic drug shortages and related high prices in the United States. An experienced team of health care and pharmaceutical industry leaders leads the organization.
Today, more than 55 health systems have joined Civica. They represent over 1,500 hospitals and over 30 percent of all U.S. hospital beds. Civica has also supplied the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile of essential medicines. Since established, the #1 Policy for the Civica team has been "Do What Is in the Best Interest of Patients."
Civica has expanded its mission beyond the hospital setting to include lowering the cost of medications at the pharmacy counter. It has launched a sister organization, CivicaScript, to enter the retail pharmacy market partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield entities and others with the goal of reducing select high cost generic drugs where market forces are not working to control drug costs.
More recently, Civica announced plans to develop, manufacture and deliver affordable biosimilar insulin, The consistent availability of affordable insulin will benefit people who ration their care or who have been forced to choose between this life-sustaining medicine and living expenses. Those who are uninsured or underinsured often pay the most out of pocket for their medications.
Long- and short-acting insulins will be produced and available in both vials and pre-filled pens - at no more than $30 per vial and no more than $55 for a pack of five pens.
Learn more about Civica's plans and progress at www.civicarx.org
Job Description
The EHS Specialist II will develop, implement, maintain, and improve aspects of Civica's Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Program to ensure the protection of people, the environment, and property. Collaboration with subject matter experts throughout the organization is essential to understanding the EHS impacts on manufacturing operations as Civica's Petersburg, VA, new fill-finish facility establishes work practices and introduces new medicines. Routine activities include evaluating risk mitigation for new and evolving tasks, partnering with functions to establish and monitor safe work plans, performing inspections and audits, and trending leading indicators to monitor the health of the programs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Demonstrate, promote, and reward safe and environmentally responsible behaviors.
Develop and deliver training programs.
Maintain required regulatory documentation.
Remain available on call as needed.
Lead or participate in emergency planning, emergency response, incident management, and incident investigations.
Design, author, and revise EHS programs. Collaborate across functions to enable compliance and incorporate best practices.
Evaluate current activities and propose/implement changes for EHS risks and acceptable controls.
Support function led Job Hazard Analyses, the development of safe behavior, and the maturation of the EHS risk management program.
Lead or participate in wastewater, stormwater, air, and regulated waste compliance activities and incorporate sustainability.
Monitor leading indicators to understand EHS program health and propose/implement continuous improvement initiatives.
Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) on EHS issues and needs in a small, fast-paced work environment.
Gain individual qualifications for EHS-related activities. (Ie PIV train the trainer, CSP, etc..)
General Duties:
Explaining or disseminating information to other personnel.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Collaborating with management to complete projects.
Perform tasks and responsibilities in accordance with policies and regulations.
Maintaining and re-stocking supplies.
Decision-making authority:
Oversees EHS program and policies within manufacturing, engineering, quality, and site support departments.
Identifies and targets areas in which a business can improve its operation.
Execute in alignment with business objectives.
Be a subject matter expert in areas such as process improvement, organizational design, and management/measurement systems.
Basic Qualifications and Capabilities:
Minimum 3+ years of experience in an environmental, health, and safety role in a manufacturing environment.
A bachelor's degree in environmental, health, or safety discipline or a certification in a safety-related field.
Demonstrated ability to coach various levels of the organization in hazard identification and risk mitigation.
Working knowledge of OSHA general industry standards and experience training staff on company and regulatory requirements.
Understanding of industrial hygiene principles.
Understanding of environmental compliance requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience managing an industrial hygiene program and performing exposure assessments in a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility and laboratories.
Experience leading or participating in a hazardous material response team.
Experience with behavior-based safety principles and program management. Experience with hazardous material shipping and hazardous waste management.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
While performing the essential duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to speak or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
The company is an equal opportunity employer, a drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.