Job responsibilities
Clinical or technical
To provide a comprehensive pre-placement health assessment service including health interviews, requesting specialist / GP reports as required, and making assessment of fitness for the post for all employees of the organisation and external contractors. Additionally when appropriate to advise employers of any adjustments that are required to support the employee in the course of their work.
To devise specific rehabilitation programmes for individuals returning to the workplace following periods of ill health, liaising with managers and Human Resources and reviewing as appropriate. To provide specialist and autonomous nurse assessment clinics which will address health issues affecting work. Following the assessment written feedback will be sent to managers, Human Resources and the employee as appropriate.
Instigate appropriate investigations/treatments e.g. venepuncture for blood screening, spirometry, chest-x-rays, post-exposure prophylaxis e.g. HIV after the appropriate training.
Offer crisis counselling and refer to appropriate professionals (eg person under the influence of alcohol, staff member suffering from severe mental health distress, sexual assault.
To provide basic counselling skills as required, providing a confidential service available to all Trust employees and external contracts.
Provide advice to managers and Human Resources regarding reasonable adjustments to ensure the Trust complies with legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
To develop programmes to undertake health surveillance, based on risk assessment and in accordance with relevant legislation.
To manage and advise both employer and employee in relation to public health notifiable diseases (e.g. Tuberculosis), and to manage, interpret the risk involved from occupational injuries/diseases (e.g. needle-stick injuries, occupational asthma).
Recognise where referral is required as a result of health surveillance results, and refer and manage appropriate follow up care.
To undertake risk assessment for blood borne viruses and provide all aspects of follow up care, including clinical investigation, counselling and referral to specialists.
To carry out workplace/risk assessments and site visits, and provide appropriate feedback to management in the form of detailed reports.
To carry out home visits with Human Resources/managers as appropriate.
To manage vaccination clinics as required, and administer vaccinations in accordance with Group Drug Protocols. Also, maintain the immunisation status of staff in accordance with agreed protocols.
To provide specialist travel health advice and immunisations on request following appropriate training.
To maintain an awareness and contribute to the development of business plans for the department and other Department of Health directives according to Trust and directorate requirements.
To update junior staff in relation to latest published directives.
To participate in directorate and Trust projects, committees and working groups, as required.
To develop and implement new documentation as required for effective delivery of OH services.
Be competent in current emergency resuscitation techniques both in theory and practice.
Leadership or managerial
To promote the specialist role of occupational health within the Trust and to external contractors.
To work as a specialist autonomous practitioner and manage own case load from initial point of referral to final outcome (e.g. empathetic management of highly emotional situations, rehabilitation).
To contribute to the development, evaluation and monitoring of the organisational and external contractors policies, procedures and services, through the deployment of professional skills in research, service evaluation and audit.
To be involved, as appropriate, in the short listing and interviewing of new staff.
Promote good working relationships and collaborative working within the organisation and external contractors.
In conjunction with Head of Nursing/OH manager contribute to service development and process redesign within or related to area of responsibility.
Attend general meetings (e.g. Health and Safety Forums) and instigate and co-ordinate specialist resolution meetings (e.g. between managers and employees).
To recognise where referral to appropriate specialists/agencies is necessary, and refer as appropriate.
To carry out assessment of employees fitness following management or self referral.
To provide a standard of excellence within written and verbal advice to management and personnel whilst maintaining client confidentiality.
To provide specialist advice to managers and personnel on rehabilitation programmes.
To provide specialist advice on re-deployment of employees where appropriate and in line with organisational policy.
To request written medical reports from specialist and GP as appropriate.
To perform risk assessments and produce reports advising managers of findings and recommendations for the organisation, department and external contracts.
To work within relevant Trust/external policies providing specialist Occupational Health Advice (e.g. sickness absence management).
To provide advice on the purchase and correct use of specialist equipment (e.g. ergonomic keyboards).
Information and reporting
To have highly developed verbal and written and IT communication skills
To assess capacity to give informed consent and have knowledge to work within legal and professional frameworks.
To explain, reassure and motivate individuals in undertaking recommended occupational health advice.
To ensure timely and effective communication with all members of the organisation and external contractors.
To demonstrate expert ability to clearly communicate complex and sensitive information to staff members, managers and Human Resources, maintaining confidentiality as outlined by professional code of practice.
To be able to diffuse potentially hostile and antagonistic situations between staff, managers and Human Resources.
To ensure that confidentiality and adherence to the Data Protection Act in relation to own practice is maintained and full and accurate records of relevant information is documented in the Occupational Health records.
Ensure safe keeping of OH records under the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
To have regular meetings with the Human Resources Manager.
Service improvement
To provide clinical leadership in an area of specialist knowledge.
Demonstrate clinical knowledge/expertise at the level of specialist nurse practitioner in the field of Occupational Health.
Act as a source of speciality expertise within the department, Trust and to external contracts.
Provision of clinical and professional leadership to junior members of staff and clinic nurses.
To promote a positive working environment.
Is wholly accountable for own specialist practice and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve own knowledge and professional competence.
To have excellent judgmental skills, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
To lead occupational health provision for external contracts, in accordance with service level agreements.
To be able to work with a team but equally to have autonomy and be able to work alone.
To be accountable with the ability to take action based on interpretation of broad clinical and professional policies where necessary.
To attend relevant educational activities, conferences and training programs to maintain an appropriate level of clinical expertise in line with the professional code of conduct.
To contribute in setting and monitoring standards in nursing practice and service provision
Communications and Engagement
To have highly developed verbal and written communication skills
To assess capacity to give informed consent and have knowledge to work within legal and professional frameworks.
To explain, reassure and motivate individuals in undertaking recommended occupational health advice.
To ensure timely and effective communication with all members of the organisation and external contractors.
To demonstrate expert ability to clearly communicate complex and sensitive information to staff members, managers and Human Resources, maintaining confidentiality as outlined by professional code of practice.
To be able to diffuse potentially hostile and antagonistic situations between staff, managers and Human Resources.
To ensure that confidentiality and adherence to the Data Protection Act in relation to own practice is maintained and full and accurate records of relevant information is documented in the Occupational Health records.
Ensure safe keeping of OH records under the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
To have regular meetings with the Human Resources Manager.
Education & Training
Seek opportunities to publicise and promote the occupational health service to the organisation, external contracts and potential external contracts e.g. Trust Induction programmes, presentation on the role of Occupational Health.
To develop and implement work related health promotion/education.
Become actively involved in occupational health research/projects.
Act as a role model and mentor to all staff (medical, nursing, administration), providing informal and formal education and support at all levels.
To provide professional and clinical supervision to those staff undertaking undergraduate training.
To maintain own professional development by keeping abreast of any new developments, attending relevant training and incorporate them into practice
To attend mandatory and statutory training according to Trust policy.
To develop, deliver and implement relevant training.
To maintain own professional development and identify ongoing education needs in accordance with annual performance review: and therefore, create a personal development plan.
To receive regular clinical professional supervision.
