Laser Safety Program Coordinator

Position Summary / Career Interest:

The Laser Safety Program Coordinator is responsible for maintaining and improving the control of laser hazards and all activities involving the therapeutic use of health care laser systems across the health system to provide a safe environment for patients and health care providers.


Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Reviews and enforces the policies and procedures of the Laser Safety Program.
• Evaluates and recommends improvements on hazard controls, policies and procedures as needed based on regulatory requirements, recommended standards of practice and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Evaluates the use of all laser protective equipment, such as laser safety eyewear and window coverings.  Makes recommendations for purchase, monitors usage and evaluates effectiveness.
• Oversees installation of new laser equipment and clinical sites prior to use. Directs modification of existing facilities or equipment as needed.
• In collaboration with managers and the medical staff education department, ensures that medical staff and allied health providers meet requirements for laser use. Ensures that all staff obtain competencies for laser use and maintains these competencies on an ongoing basis.  Conducts continuing education for end users on a routine basis.  This includes creating presentations, designing training materials and competency tools, conducting validation observations.
• Ensures that all hazard classifications, labeling and signage of health care laser systems meet regulatory requirements.
• Conducts monthly Quality Assurance audits of laser practices to ensure adherence to established compliance standards.
• Ensures the laser rental company or any similar contract laser service that operates within the University of Kansas Health System provide documentation of appropriate training and periodic maintenance of their equipment prior to use.
• Collects and reports data on laser utilization and identify trends for leadership.
• Participates in accident investigations involving lasers. Collaborates with environmental health and safety, risk management and occupational health involved in the investigation of safety events related to laser use.
• Collaborates with the Biomedical Engineering team to support the process of safe management of risks associated with the use of medical devices involved with laser system maintenance.
• Maintains an inventory of all class 3b and class 4 laser systems and accessories. Schedules all preventative maintenance checks.
• Serves as a resource to clinicians, hospital management, providers and staff on topics related to new technology, applications safety topics, laser set up, laser use and troubleshooting, as needed.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• Associates Degree in Business or Health Care related field from an accredited college or university.
• High School Graduate
• 2 or more years of Health Care Inpatient and Outpatient procedural experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

• 5 or more years of health care experience with some surgical services business experience.
• 1 or more years of experience with laser safety or acting as Laser Safety Officer, having performed the specific responsibilities outlined in ANSI Z136.3 Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities Standards.
• Prior experience with medical surgical laser applications.
• Prior experience with aesthetic laser applications.

Required Licensure and Certification

• Certified Medical Laser Safety - Laser Institute of America (LIA) (CMSLO) Certification. within 1 Year

Knowledge Requirements

• Previous exposure to various types of lasers across all service lines.
• Excellent command and communication techniques.
• Microsoft Office products and Financial Data.
• Strong computer skills preferred.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.