Occupational Health Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Role Purpose

To deliver a high-quality, clinically robust Occupational Health (OH) service that promotes, maintains, and improves the physical and mental wellbeing of staff employed by Rotherham GP Federation, as well as providing outsourced OH services to GP practices and other organisations. The role supports managers and staff to manage health at work effectively, reduce sickness absence, and enable staff to work safely and productively.

Clinical and Professional Duties

• Provide specialist Occupational Health advice and clinical assessments to support employee health, wellbeing, attendance, and capability.

• Undertake management referrals, return-to-work assessments, health and wellbeing reviews, and rehabilitation planning to support staff in remaining at or returning to work.

• Assess and evaluate pre-employment health questionnaires, requesting further information where required, and provide clear fitness-for-work advice to employing managers, including recommendations for reasonable adjustments or restrictions.

• Deliver proactive case management for short- and long-term absence, supporting organisations to reduce sickness absence and improve workforce resilience.

• Administer immunisations and vaccinations required for employment purposes, in line with national guidance, local policy, and service-level agreements.

• Review, assess, and act upon screening results, post-vaccination blood results, and health surveillance outcomes in accordance with Department of Health guidance and Occupational Health best practice.

• Respond to sharps injuries and exposure incidents, providing advice, guidance, and follow-up in line with infection control and occupational health policies.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical records using electronic and written systems.

Health Surveillance, Risk Management and Prevention

• Deliver health surveillance and screening programmes as indicated by role-related risk assessments, including (where appropriate) audiometry, spirometry, HAVS, DSE, working at heights, confined spaces, and similar assessments.

• Advise managers and staff on workplace health risks and environmental hazards, including stress, COSHH, PPE, display screen equipment, and noise exposure.

• Contribute to risk assessments and ergonomic reviews, advising on workplace design and reasonable adjustments.

• Support organisations in preventing work-related illness and injury and promoting safe systems of work.

• Actively promote health, wellbeing, and healthy work practices across the Federation and client practices.

Equipment, Safety and Infection Control

• Take responsibility for the safe use, maintenance, and storage of clinical equipment required for Occupational Health duties.

• Maintain a safe, clean, and professional working environment at all times.

• Demonstrate full compliance with infection prevention and control policies, including hygiene standards and safe clinical practice.

• Act as a role model for high standards of clinical care, safety, and professionalism.

Policy, Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of Occupational Health policies, procedures, and clinical protocols, leading where appropriate.

• Participate in audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement activities to support continuous service development.

• Work closely with the HR Lead and Clinical Lead on matters relating to staff health, wellbeing, and attendance management.

• Identify and escalate service or resource issues that may impact service delivery, staff learning, development, or performance.

Internal and External Relationships

• Establish and maintain effective professional relationships with managers, staff, HR teams, and external client organisations, respecting the confidential nature of Occupational Health work.

• Liaise with external agencies and healthcare providers as appropriate, referring staff for further assessment, treatment, or rehabilitation.

• Represent the Occupational Health service at meetings where required, including health and safety or wellbeing forums.

• Maintain links with professional networks and stakeholders to support best practice and service development.

Education, Training and Professional Development

• Maintain professional competence, registration, and ongoing development in line with professional standards.

• Keep up to date with national, regional, and local Occupational Health developments, legislation, and guidance.

• Contribute to the teaching, training, and supervision of managers and staff on Occupational Health matters through one-to-one support, group sessions, and formal training.

• Support learners and colleagues by sharing clinical expertise and acting as a positive role model within the team.

Emotional Effort

• Provide sensitive, compassionate, and professional support to staff experiencing ill health, distress, or challenging circumstances, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Managing Self

• Participate in regular supervision, appraisal, and mandatory training.

• Maintain professional conduct and appearance at all times.

• Comply with all organisational policies, procedures, and equality requirements.

• Take personal responsibility for maintaining professional registration and continuing professional development.

• Seek advice and support from the Line Manager as required.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be reviewed and amended in line with service needs following consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Current HCPC Registration
• Current full driving licence

Desirable

• Qualified in Immunisations and Vaccinations

Physical and practical

Essential

• Able to demonstrate advanced patient assessment skills e.g. cognitive/perceptual neurological assessment
• Dexterity and accuracy in undertaking clinical skills, use of equipment and documentation
• Produce timely, accurate written/electronic records and documents

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of clinical expertise and knowledge to Post graduate Diploma level developed through CPD and experience
• Knowledge and experience of using standardised assessments and development of relevant outcome measures
• Demonstrates knowledge of equipment available and able to assess and utilise where applicable
• Knowledge and understanding of national legislation, guidance and regulatory frameworks including NSF, NICE, Information/clinical Governance, Equality and Diversity, Safe Guarding, Professional and Clinical Guidelines and implications for patient care
• Knowledge and evidence of participation in clinical audit and evidence gathering methods
• Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety in the work environment and implications for service area
• Knowledge and experience of OH systems, both implementation and maximising use to support effective working and service improvements

Desirable

• Knowledge of continuous improvement through benchmarking, sharing and utilising best practice
• Health surveillance
• DSE and Ergonomic assessment
• Confident in undertaking telephone / video assessments

Experience

Essential

• Experience of management of resources
• Experience of user/carer participation and engagement in review/development of services
• Experience of working within a multi-professional team

Skills

Essential

• Demonstrates skills & ability in use of computer packages on a regular basis
• Demonstrates an ability to prioritise own, junior and support staff workload and meet required timescales, Responds appropriately to urgent and emergency situations
• Ensures the collection of data and analyses data in order to inform decision making , ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance and that of others

Desirable

• Ability to identify need for service development

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Connect Healthcare Rotherham CIC

Address

2nd Floor, Valley Health Centre

1 Saville Street, Dalton

Rotherham

S65 3HD

Employer's website

https://Connecthealthcarerotherham.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)