Risk Assessment Process
Johns Hopkins has an established risk assessment process. The effectiveness of the process comes from the interactive and complementary expertise of the multidisciplinary Risk Assessment Team who brings collective experience in reviewing risk-oriented reports.
Johns Hopkins takes seriously all reports that indicate a violation of workplace violence policies. Incidents reviewed by the Risk Assessment Team are investigated from the perspective of trying to understand all sides of the reported incident without assigning fault during the process.
To promote safety in the work and academic environment, employees are generally placed off of work until the risk assessment process is complete. Best practice is to continue the employees in a paid status during the investigation. In the case of clinical faculty, the team does consider the impact on patient care of a faculty member being placed off work relative to the safety risk of his or her remaining in the workplace and the availability of other means to reduce that risk. When students are of concern to the Risk Assessment Team, communication is coordinated with student affairs and the students may be asked to stay off campus during the investigation.
Triage and Incident Management
The Safe at Hopkins program manager receives reports of concerning behaviors and elevates those with the greatest potential for risk to the Risk Assessment Team. Or, a member of the multidisciplinary team may escalate a report for review by contacting Safe at Hopkins.
The Risk Assessment Team engages in triage and incident management to understand the report, the context of the situation, precipitating factors, the culture of the work area, and history of behavior and performance.
This process informs whether or not the facts warrant a full risk assessment, including a clinical risk evaluation of the individual or individuals who appear to have engaged in significant violations of workplace violence policies.
Full Risk Assessment
The full risk assessment and evaluation includes investigation of the incident by Security and/or the Safe at Hopkins program manager, as well as an evaluation of the individual or individuals involved by the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP). The evaluation by FASAP includes an extensive clinical interview that assesses risk factors for violent behavior.
After the collection of information in a risk assessment, the Risk Assessment Team meets to review the information collected, to evaluate the level of risk indicated by the information, and to develop preliminary recommendations based on the level of risk.
Recommendations to Management/Leadership
The supervisor, manager, or department director(s) of the individual(s) involved in the incident meets with the Risk Assessment Team. The team provides an overview of the findings, review of risk concerns, and preliminary recommendations. The group is intentional about formulating recommendations that are supportive and foster professional development, when indicated, as well as administrative recommendations that foster a safe and professional work and academic environment.
The supervisor, manager, or department director(s) have the final decision. They have the opportunity to discuss the findings and recommendations with the members of the team. They then take appropriate action based on the violation and the level of risk identified by and recommendations of the Risk Assessment Team.
