Jobs › Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab · Chicago, IL · $58,650–$98,400 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a safety initiative you led that changed behavior. How did you know it worked?

What they are checking: Whether they measure outcomes rather than counting trainings delivered.

Tell me about a time you had to tell a leader something they did not want to hear about safety.

What they are checking: Courage and tact in raising risks to people above them.

What would you do

A unit manager says their staff are too busy for safety training. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Ability to partner with leaders and fit safety into workflow instead of adding burden.

How would you build a culture where staff report near misses instead of hiding them?

What they are checking: Understanding that reporting depends on trust and a non-punitive response.

About the work

Walk me through how you would use our OSHA recordables to decide which injury prevention project to start first.

What they are checking: Ability to turn injury data into priorities by frequency, severity and cost rather than reacting to the latest incident.

In a rehab hospital, patient handling injuries are a major risk. What interventions have you seen actually reduce them?

What they are checking: Knowledge of safe patient handling programs, lift equipment and the barriers that stop staff from using them.

How do you run a job hazard analysis for a role like a patient care technician?

What they are checking: Practical JHA method, including observing real work and talking with the people who do it.

How do you determine whether an injury is OSHA recordable, and what are common mistakes?

What they are checking: Command of recordkeeping rules, since mistakes create compliance risk and misleading data.

Workplace violence from patients is a real risk in healthcare. How would you approach it here?

What they are checking: Awareness of workplace violence prevention, especially with patients who have brain injuries and may be agitated.

How do you design training for staff with very different jobs, like housekeepers, therapists and nurses?

What they are checking: Ability to tailor education to real tasks and literacy levels instead of one generic course.

What injury trends would you present to leadership each quarter, and how would you make them useful?

What they are checking: Data storytelling that leads to decisions rather than a pile of charts.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together. Job Description Summary The Occupational Health & Safety Specialist is responsible for leading data-driven occupational safety initiatives focused on injury prevention, risk reduction, and workforce safety. This role partners with leadership to identify high-risk areas, implement targeted interventions, and deliver training and education that supports a culture of safety and regulatory compliance. Job Description The Occupational Health & Safety Specialist: • Identifies, prioritizes, and implements targeted injury prevention initiatives based on analysis of OSHA recordables, trends, and high-risk job functions. • Conducts workplace risk assessments and job hazard analyses (JHA) to proactively identify and mitigate hazards. • Develops and implements evidence-based safety interventions to reduce employee injuries, including musculoskeletal and workplace-related incidents. • Partners with operational and clinical leadership to develop unit-specific safety action plans and drive accountability for outcomes. • Designs and delivers education and training programs on safe work practices, ergonomics, injury prevention, and regulatory requirements. • Investigates employee injuries, incidents, and near misses; completes root cause analysis and implements corrective and preventive actions. • Collects, analyzes, and interprets safety and injury data; prepares regular reports and dashboards for leadership review. • Communicates trends, risks, and recommended strategies to leadership in a clear and actionable manner. • Collaborates with Employee Health, Human Resources, and operational leaders on injury management. • Ensures compliance with OSHA and applicable regulatory standards; maintains required documentation including incident reports, inspections, and training records. • Evaluates program effectiveness and recommends continuous improvement strategies aligned with organizational goals. • Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Reporting Relationships • Reports to: Manager, Employee Occupational Health Services • Works closely with: Employee Health, Human Resources, Benefits, Operational and Clinical Leadership, Infection Prevention, and Safety Committees Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required • Bachelor’s degree required. Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, or related field strongly preferred. • Professional certification (CSP, ASP, or equivalent) preferred. • Minimum 1-2 years of experience in an Occupational Health related field required. Experience in healthcare environment preferred. • Experience with ergonomics programs, injury prevention strategies, and workers’ compensation processes preferred. • Knowledge of occupational health and safety principles, OSHA standards, and regulatory requirements. • Ability to analyze and interpret data to identify trends and drive targeted intervention strategies. • Strong skills in conducting risk assessments, ergonomic evaluations, and incident investigations. • Ability to work collaboratively with leadership and influence safety practices across departments. • Effective communication and presentation skills, including the ability to educate staff and present to leadership. • Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills. • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Working Conditions • Normal patient care environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature. • Position requires work in both office and clinical/operational environments. • May require occasional flexibility in schedule to support incident response and organizational needs. • Occasional exposure to infectious diseases when working in clinical settings The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Pay and Benefits*: Pay Range: $58,650.00 - $98,400.00 Benefits: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits *Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law. EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights | View our Full Policy Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.

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