Many healthcare facilities need a compliance officer to ensure adherence to OSHA regulations. Whether the title is compliance advisor, compliance manager, compliance director, compliance leader or compliance specialist, the job role is essential for all facilities, from small businesses to large institutions. The complexity of OSHA regulations makes a dedicated officer a necessity. A point person to answer questions and oversee procedures lets a team focus on the work it needs to do. Some facilities may decide that compliance officers for OSHA regulations are not necessary, and that compliance management is just additional bureaucracy. The following information may help those in doubt reconsider.
How Do You Know if You Really Need a Compliance Officer?
Compliance is an ongoing concern, and an ongoing job. OSHA regulations can change. Employees with certification may leave the company, and new ones that arrive need the required certifications. Policies in the institution may change, and compliance violations in certain stations can occur. Someone must be responsible to make sure that these changes are addressed. A compliance officer assigned to take care of these responsibilities can smooth out operations in your facility without violating OSHA regulations.
The Roles of a Compliance Officer
First and foremost, the compliance officer is responsible for making sure that the facility follows OSHA rules closely. The compliance officer is there to verify whether a business or institution’s compliance plans are really in accordance with OSHA regulations, and that they are implemented according to precise guidelines. Tasks like certification for employees, preparing safety data sheets, and formulating safe work practices can take time. Compliance officers can help make sure that all these tasks are taken care of in a timely manner. Second, compliance officers stay current with the latest developments and changes to OSHA rules. Do not assume that OSHA rules are static und unchanging. If your facility follows practices that are out of date, you may be liable for violations. Compliance officers make sure that OSHA regulations are followed in day-to-day activities. Persons fully trained to oversee OSHA rules and regulations can be compliance officers. In small facilities, the employer or business owner can serve the role of a compliance officer. Compliance officers do not represent a large footprint in a business or organization. Effectiveness of procedures and levels of compliance can be verified by soliciting feedback from employees.
The Necessity and Benefits of a Compliance Officer
Some institutions have repeated OSHA violations, undergo several inspections due to accidents, or have numerous complaints filed by employees. If you have issues with OSHA regulation compliance, your facility needs a compliance officer. Plans are easier to implement if a compliance officer is present, and an institution can implement changes quickly and efficiently. When upgrades or advancements are underway in a facility, compliance officers will help make sure that OSHA standards are being followed which will help reduce potential issues with OSHA violations in the future. (A compliance officer can also serve as a resource person when upgrade plans are being made.) Most importantly, compliance officers help improve and maintain the health and well-being of employees, which leads to increased productivity. US Bio-Clean offers OSHA, HIPAA, AHA & CPR compliance training 100% online.
FAQs
With an effective compliance program in place, healthcare organizations will be well-positioned to deliver safe, high-quality care services without putting themselves at risk for potential legal or financial repercussions due to noncompliance with regulations or industry standards.
What are the benefits of a compliance officer in healthcare? ›
Better patient care, improved workplace safety, lower organizational costs, better accountability — all of these and more stem from the work a healthcare compliance officer does to create compliance across the board.
What does a facility compliance officer do? ›
The incumbent performs technical oversight reviews of construction inspection work completed by state and private-sector construction inspectors to ensure consistency, quality and compliance with the California Building Standards Code and the Division's policies and procedures.
What are the three main areas of healthcare compliance? ›
The three main areas of healthcare compliance are patient safety, patient privacy and data security and billing and coding compliance.
What are the 7 pillars of compliance? ›
The Seven Elements
- Implementing written policies & procedures. All policies can be found in the Policy Library.
- Governance & oversight. ...
- Effective training & education.
- Effective lines of communication. ...
- Internal auditing & monitoring.
- Enforcement & disciplinary guidelines.
- Prompt response.
The five elements are:
- Leadership.
- Risk Assessment.
- Standards and Controls.
- Training and Communications.
- Oversight.
Compliance officers are responsible for ensuring their organizations comply with state and federal laws and regulations as well as internal policies and procedures. And with the ever-growing complexity of regularity requirements, these professionals are needed now more than ever.
Why is a compliance officer important? ›
Compliance officers are responsible for ensuring their organization adheres to government regulations — domestically as well as globally, if applicable — and avoids missteps that could result in hefty fines, legal ramifications and reputation damage.
What are the strengths of a compliance officer? ›
Skills needed to be a successful compliance officer include: strong communication, conviction, problem-solving skills, regulatory knowledge, continuing education (seminars and certification programs); and networking with other professionals in the industry.
What does compliance in healthcare do? ›
Healthcare compliance is the formal name given to proactive tasks to prevent fraud, waste, or abuse within a healthcare entity. A compliance program is the active, ongoing process to ensure that legal, ethical, and professional standards are met and communicated throughout the entire healthcare organization.
A compliance department typically has five areas of responsibility—identification, prevention, monitoring and detection, resolution, and advisory. A compliance department identifies risks that an organization faces and advises on how to avoid or address them.
What does a compliance officer do daily? ›
Compliance Officers examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.
How do you maintain compliance in healthcare? ›
5 Keys to Healthcare Compliance
- #1 Regulatory Frameworks: The Foundation of Healthcare Compliance. ...
- #2 Documentation and Record-Keeping: The Devil is in the Details. ...
- #3 Training and Education: Empowering the Workforce. ...
- #4 Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identifying Vulnerabilities.
Case #3: A pharmacy signed a Business Associate Agreement with a law firm. This approach is one of the best healthcare compliance examples. It addresses common HIPAA violations such as impermissible disclosure of PHI among business associates and third-party providers.
What is mandatory compliance in healthcare? ›
Healthcare compliance refers to the adherence to laws, regulations, and guidelines that govern the healthcare industry. These laws and regulations are established to safeguard patient privacy, ensure quality care, and maintain the integrity of healthcare systems.
Why is it important to have a compliance plan? ›
Compliance programs outline a set of guidelines and best practices that ensure a company's employees are following all relevant laws and regulations. Compliance programs help corporations protect their brand from scandal and lawsuits.
Why do we need a compliance plan? ›
At its most basic level, a compliance program is a set of internal policies and procedures that you put into place to help your organization comply with the law. An effective compliance program can enhance your organization's operations, improve quality of care and reduce overall costs.
How has having a compliance plan affected the healthcare facility? ›
Many healthcare organizations risk financial penalties because of billing inaccuracies or fraudulent activities. By having a compliance program in place, facilities can actively identify and prevent such activities, ensuring financial integrity.
What is the primary purpose of a hospital compliance program? ›
A well-structured compliance program makes sure all laws and regulations are adhered to and promotes a culture of ethical behavior and risk management within your organization.
