Occupational Health Technician

Job responsibilities

Job Description

Job Context

The Health & Wellbeing Service is a nurse led service, based at County Hall in Northallerton, running clinics where required. Health and Wellbeing provides a service for Council employees, Schools and Academies and external contracts.

The post holder will be responsible for the efficient processing and monitoring of statutory health surveillance systems and delivery of health promotion activity.

The post holder will be responsible for undertaking occupational health activities without direct supervision. The post requires confidentiality in communications, health, safety, equality, and diversity in the support of the health and wellbeing of employees of the Council and its clients.

Job Purpose

The post holder will support the Senior OHT in organising and delivering efficient programmes of health surveillance, health awareness and health promotion to NYC and external clients.

Operational Management

Participation in clinical supervision to ensure safe and effective evidence-based advice and guidance is given to clients and managers.

Support the Senior OHT in the delivery of clinical standards ensuring these are set, embedded, and monitored in accordance with the needs of the service.

Responsible for the delivery, implementation and evaluation of all health surveillance programmes for the Council and external contracts carrying out statutory health surveillance including Audiometry, Spirometry, Vision screening and any job specific health assessment.

Accountable for the planning and management of health surveillance clinics and health promotion events as well as liaison with various clinical professionals and others to assist with the delivery of these clinics.

Responsible for ensuring that cases are appropriately escalated to the Senior OHT within the health surveillance triage process and maintaining records in accordance with patient confidentiality.

Delivery of effective and efficient health promotion activity for staff within the Council, Schools, and other external clients.

Identify and address operational issues and raise concerns in a professional and timely way to ensure safe and effective service delivery.

Manage health screening and health surveillance of workers including health education and collection of health data.

Partnerships

Support the Senior OH Technician to organise and deliver health and wellbeing initiatives and health awareness programmes in line with Service Business Plan to the Council workforce and externally.

Liaises effectively with the OH team, other medical experts, GPs and OH Physicians as appropriate.

Actively contributes to the achievement of excellence in customer service within Health and Wellbeing working together to guarantee great service.

Actively engages with OH / HR initiatives and interacts with others in a way that builds openness, trust and confidence and develops respected, professional relationships in a multi-disciplinary team.

Strategic Management

Support the planning, delivery, and evaluation of all health promotion activity within the Council and externally.

Is committed to positively contributing to the Councils strategy for the health and wellbeing of its staff.

Communications

Builds and maintains positive and effective relationships with individuals and specific groups communicating effectively within the OH Team, clients and across operational boundaries.

Maintains records to the required professional standards in compliance with legislation, ethical standards, and local NYC HWB policies.

Demonstrates effective communication and engagement in relation to service delivery of health promotion activity including planning and supporting the delivering of health awareness for Council and client staff.

Manages the processing of confidential and sensitive information between all parties; verbally, in person and in written format; obtaining agreement, where necessary, and in line with organisational policy.

Systems and Information

Ensures the accurate maintenance of clinical records and documentation in accordance with legislation and ethical standards.

Ensures that legislative and ethical standards (e.g., confidentiality and consent; data protection) are adhered to in the provision of advice and guidance on employment related health matters to managers.

Follows procedures and guidelines and uses analytical and judgement skills to undertake health screening and base line health surveillance correctly identifying those cases that require escalation where necessary for additional clinical assessment.

Maintain the accuracy of system data within the OHS including Open Episodes and Events; Due Dates; Clinical Outcomes and eliminating duplication of records.

Responsible for purchasing essential equipment and materials through buying team and securing low cost/no cost services andmaterials.

Ensures medical equipment is regularly inspected, calibrated, maintained, and replaced and that it is safe to use.

Experience

Essential

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of core Occupational Health Services
• Advanced understanding of Health and Safety legislation and the Equality Act 2010 and Data Protection
• Good understanding of application of OH and HR Policies/procedures including the inter relationships
• Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology; life support and principles of infection control
• High level of computer literacy and above average ability with Microsoft Office programmes; use of databases and managing process flows
• Experience of working in a clinical setting and auditing against Occupational Health standards (SEQOHS)
• Experience of providing health surveillance, health promotion and health awareness activity in a commercial environment
• Demonstrable experience of prioritising and scheduling workload in the face of conflicting demands
• Demonstrable experience of organising e.g., event planning, clinics, diary management etc.
• Proven track record of working in partnership with agencies / third parties

Desirable

• Health Promotion
• Expert knowledge and understanding of Occupational Health
• Working knowledge of OHS systems such as eOPAS or OPAS
• Recent experience of auditing Occupational Health standards (SEQOHS) with commended / highly commended results

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 in health care or equivalent (or willing to work towards)
• Statutory training in: Audiometry, Spirometry, Eye screening and Postemployment screening.
• Relevant degree (or equivalent)

Desirable

• Diploma in Higher Education in Occupational Health (Technician) or equivalent
• Membership of the AOHNP (UK)

Other Requirements

Essential

• Ability to travel across the County
• Ability to attend meetings outside of normal business hours of normal business hours

Occupational Skills

Essential

• Exceptional organisational skills and ability to use initiative in day-to-day tasks; forward planning and managing a varied workload
• Problem solving and decision-making skills involving complexity and consideration for H&S risks to make good decisions and an aptitude for critical analysis of information from different sources
• Capable in planning the provision of services provided internally and externally and able to exercise judgement in determining action in relation to an individuals health and/or test results
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to relate to patients and managers
• Ability to use health surveillance equipment and to interpret series of data and test results; records and retains data in compliance with clinical audit requirements and standards
• High levels of accuracy in handling data; analytical and able to accurately forecast impact on key performance indicators.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing to produce documents in a range of formats and style including reports to suit a range of audiences
• High standard of literacy, numeracy and IT skills including use of all major desktop tools
• Capable of identifying and maintaining a high degree of confidentiality
• Ability to manage and advise on a wide range of related issues with minimal supervision