Job summary
Occupational Health Advisor
Band 5 - Full time/ Part- time/ Job share,
Fixed term - maternity leave cover.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, enthusiastic, motivated Occupational Health Advisor to join our friendly team in the Occupational Health Service of Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. The post is based at Tameside Hospital / Stepping Hill Hospital, will also involve cross site working, travel to some outside NHS sites and companies for whom we provide an Occupational Health service.
Due to the variety of the work carried out here you would obtain extensive experience in all aspects of Occupational Health. You must be RGN qualified ideally with NHS experience in Occupational Health.
It is important that you have excellent verbal and written communication skills including confident use of IT packages.
For informal enquiries please contact Heather Statham on 0161 419 5491.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work closely with the nursing team, Nurse Manager and admin team in the provision of a comprehensive effective occupational health service to SNHSFT and TGH and to external clients/contracts aimed at protecting, promoting and maintaining the physical and mental well-being of all employees, maintaining and developing the service and quality standard in accordance with relevant and national guidelines.
Our employees and contracts are widespread throughout the area, so a current full driving licence/ability to travel is required.
This role will include undertaking assessments for pre-employment, inoculation incident management, immunisations, venepuncture, spirometry, audiometry, vision, hand arm vibration as part of ongoing health surveillance programmes.
Training will be given for all aspects of the role.
Undertaking pro-active Health and Wellbeing activities within the Trust and externally.
The post holder will be expected to work unsupervised both in the department and off-site at company premises, delivering high standard occupational health services to clients allocated to their care.
About us
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves a community of 250,000 people across Tameside & Glossop. We provide a range of services both within the hospital and across our community for both adults and children.Our vision is to improve health outcomes for our population and influence wider determinants of health through collaboration with our health & care partners.
We have a clear set of values & behaviours which we expect all of our staff to demonstrate:
- Safety
- Care
- Respect
- Communication
- Learning
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+& Disabled people.
Benefits include; flexible working, 27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, support with stress, bereavement, relationships, finance, and much more.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- To assist in the provision of a comprehensive occupational health service aimed at protecting, promoting and maintaining the physical and mental well-being of all employees.
- To maintain a professional and safe standard of occupational health nursing practice.
- The post holder will work within a team of occupational health professionals in a supporting role, providing needs based occupational health services to all clients in line with good practice and current legislation.
- To maintain self development.
- To maintain a professional and safe standard of practice.
- To provide specialist advice, guidance and support to Trust managers and staff, in accordance with legislation and local policies/procedures/protocols.
- To assist lead nurses provide a programme of effective Occupational Health Care for all the Trust employees/outside industries a flexible approach to working is essential.
- Provides specialist knowledge in delivering a safe and effective immunisation programme for the Trust and external clients and vaccinating during the seasonal flu programme and Covid vaccination campaigns, working within the boundaries of Department of Health Guidelines, The Green Book, Trust Policy and local protocols.
- To maintain a professional and safe standard of occupational health nursing practice and maintain self development & adheres to NMC Codes of Practice
- To perform health surveillance procedures such as spirometry, audiometry, skin surveillance, Vision Screening and hand arm vibration assessments and take action accordingly in line with service level agreements and standard protocols and procedures. These require complex physical skills
- Undertake pre-employment / pre-placement paper screening (triaging) to meet individual needs in relation to their occupation. Involving analysis/assessment of the health questionnaires in order to either clear fit for the role or ascertain the type of further assessment required either telephone consultation or Video consultation or a face to face assessment & carry out these assessment providing specialist advise on fitness to work and adjustments required.
- Carry out medicals (for example; Pre-employment/driver medicals/Confined space medicals) by undertaking the relevant measurements including; height, weight, BMI, vision testing (near, distance, colour vision, use of the keystone), musculoskeletal assessments, Blood pressure & pulse measurements and urine testing. These require complex physical skills.
- Carry out venepuncture ensuring correct completion of request forms and entry into patient electronic records.
- Assessment and management of inoculation incidents requiring expert knowledge in order to ensure the best management in relation to the risk which incudes administering HIV prophylactic treatment as necessary.
- Carry out lifestyle assessments.
- Drug and alcohol testing.
- To maintain a professional and safe standard of occupational health nursing practice and maintain self development.
- Work unsupervised both in the department and at company premises, delivering high standard occupational health services to clients allocated to their care.
- Undertakes clinical audit and service evaluation programmes.
- Required to provide accurate written, electronic and verbal reports observing confidentiality at all times.
- The post holder will establish good working relationships with all staff in the centre, in the implementation of the Occupational Health Services.
- To undertake any other duties which is deemed appropriate to the band when requested by their manager. The above indicates the main duties of the post which may be reviewed in the light of experience and developments within the service. Any review will be undertaken in conjunction with the post-holder.
Responsibility for Patient Care
- The Occupational Health Advisor is a member of the Occupational Health team, working with the Director and senior nurses to provide a programme of effective occupational health care for all Trust employees and personnel covered by contracts with external organisations. Our employees and contracts are widespread throughout the area, so the ability to travel is required.
- Carry out Work health assessments of prospective employees to ascertain their fitness for work and also to identify higher risk individuals and those who will be working with occupational hazards. Requirement to deal with complex facts/situations following health assessment which will require analytical skills, interpretation and a range of available options to ultimately confirm whether the individual is passed fit to work in the role they have been successful at interview.
- Carry out immunisations, medicals (driver/safety critical/food handler), health surveillance (spirometry, audiometry, HAV and skin surveillance which requires dexterity and accuracy & specialist knowledge and skills. Aware of normal parameters and inform clients of their results and using own judgement and analytical skills in order to take action accordingly in line with service level agreements and standard protocols and procedures.
- Manage inoculation injuries; providing expert advice in relation to BBV transmission, assessment and management of each incident according to the risk, carrying out the correct/relevant blood tests at the various stages, providing prophylactic HIV treatment and monitoring this as necessary.
- Assist with the planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for individuals and for higher risk groups in accordance with policies and individual needs. Carry out health promotion and health promotion programmes as required.
- Participating in maintaining accurate departmental manual and computerised records.
- Referring clients, where appropriate to the Occupational Physicians, General Practitioner, Physiotherapy, etc. Giving and receiving of reports and writing letters of referral, where appropriate.
- Respond promptly to infection alerts amongst staff. Co-operating with Infection Prevention during an outbreak.
- Undertake regular environmental visits to work areas in order to build and maintain knowledge of various occupations, processes, machinery, equipment and substances in use.
- Co-operate with the Managers of all departments in the study of the working environment and its effects on health.
- Assist patients /service users/carers/relatives during incidental contacts.
- Having a high regard for data quality, confidentiality and Data Protection.
Planning and organising
- Accepting on-going responsibility for providing occupational healthcare for those areas delegated to you.
- Organise and plan own day to day workload or activities in order to meet the demands of the job role. Planning/organising/co-ordinating the activity for off-site clinics.
- Maintaining Occupational Health service provision for other areas during a colleague's absence.
- Attending meetings as allocated if requested by Occupational Health Nurse Manager or Director of Occupational Health Services.
- To initiate, promote and support innovation in the clinical practice and encourage the application of new techniques /procedures in the workplace.
- Actively participate in Clinical Governance and audit.
Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources
- Ensure the proper use of resources and equipment, ensuring equipment is maintained and calibrated as required.
- Assist in the maintenance of stock levels of clinical consumables, pharmacy stores and relevant paperwork
- Ensuring the Health and Safety policy within the department is adhered to.
- Ensure safe and efficient use of equipment, resources and consumables at all times including equipment calibrations.
- To have a duty of care for equipment, ensuring it remains clean and safe and report any damaged equipment.
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development and Implementation
- Assisting in the provision of Occupational Health Services to contractors/industries outside the NHS
- To embrace and support line management and the department in making service improvements effective within the workplace.
- Review policies/procedures requiring analytical skills and proposes changes and implements policies.
- Identify areas of need and develop Health Promotion
- Being responsible and accountable for the provision, management and improvement of the occupational health service within the work areas/projects for which you have responsibility.
- Work with the team in establishing appropriate standards of Occupational Health care. Providing ideas for service improvements and leading/managing projects.
- Responsibilities and accountability for provision of Occupational Health Services to contractors/industries outside the NHS.
- Works within organisational policies and guidelines.
- To provide specialist knowledge and advice on occupational health related matters via informal and formal management meetings (e.g. Occupational Health internal meetings, Infection Control)
- Compliance with internal and external targets relating to clinical services such as the Department of Health and CQUIN targets.
- Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance.
- Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development.
- Carry out audits and service evaluation programmes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- To assist in the provision of a comprehensive occupational health service aimed at protecting, promoting and maintaining the physical and mental well-being of all employees.
- To maintain a professional and safe standard of occupational health nursing practice.
- The post holder will work within a team of occupational health professionals in a supporting role, providing needs based occupational health services to all clients in line with good practice and current legislation.
- To maintain self development.
- To maintain a professional and safe standard of practice.
- To provide specialist advice, guidance and support to Trust managers and staff, in accordance with legislation and local policies/procedures/protocols.
- To assist lead nurses provide a programme of effective Occupational Health Care for all the Trust employees/outside industries a flexible approach to working is essential.
- Provides specialist knowledge in delivering a safe and effective immunisation programme for the Trust and external clients and vaccinating during the seasonal flu programme and Covid vaccination campaigns, working within the boundaries of Department of Health Guidelines, The Green Book, Trust Policy and local protocols.
- To maintain a professional and safe standard of occupational health nursing practice and maintain self development & adheres to NMC Codes of Practice
- To perform health surveillance procedures such as spirometry, audiometry, skin surveillance, Vision Screening and hand arm vibration assessments and take action accordingly in line with service level agreements and standard protocols and procedures. These require complex physical skills
- Undertake pre-employment / pre-placement paper screening (triaging) to meet individual needs in relation to their occupation. Involving analysis/assessment of the health questionnaires in order to either clear fit for the role or ascertain the type of further assessment required either telephone consultation or Video consultation or a face to face assessment & carry out these assessment providing specialist advise on fitness to work and adjustments required.
- Carry out medicals (for example; Pre-employment/driver medicals/Confined space medicals) by undertaking the relevant measurements including; height, weight, BMI, vision testing (near, distance, colour vision, use of the keystone), musculoskeletal assessments, Blood pressure & pulse measurements and urine testing. These require complex physical skills.
- Carry out venepuncture ensuring correct completion of request forms and entry into patient electronic records.
- Assessment and management of inoculation incidents requiring expert knowledge in order to ensure the best management in relation to the risk which incudes administering HIV prophylactic treatment as necessary.
- Carry out lifestyle assessments.
- Drug and alcohol testing.
- To maintain a professional and safe standard of occupational health nursing practice and maintain self development.
- Work unsupervised both in the department and at company premises, delivering high standard occupational health services to clients allocated to their care.
- Undertakes clinical audit and service evaluation programmes.
- Required to provide accurate written, electronic and verbal reports observing confidentiality at all times.
- The post holder will establish good working relationships with all staff in the centre, in the implementation of the Occupational Health Services.
- To undertake any other duties which is deemed appropriate to the band when requested by their manager. The above indicates the main duties of the post which may be reviewed in the light of experience and developments within the service. Any review will be undertaken in conjunction with the post-holder.
Responsibility for Patient Care
- The Occupational Health Advisor is a member of the Occupational Health team, working with the Director and senior nurses to provide a programme of effective occupational health care for all Trust employees and personnel covered by contracts with external organisations. Our employees and contracts are widespread throughout the area, so the ability to travel is required.
- Carry out Work health assessments of prospective employees to ascertain their fitness for work and also to identify higher risk individuals and those who will be working with occupational hazards. Requirement to deal with complex facts/situations following health assessment which will require analytical skills, interpretation and a range of available options to ultimately confirm whether the individual is passed fit to work in the role they have been successful at interview.
- Carry out immunisations, medicals (driver/safety critical/food handler), health surveillance (spirometry, audiometry, HAV and skin surveillance which requires dexterity and accuracy & specialist knowledge and skills. Aware of normal parameters and inform clients of their results and using own judgement and analytical skills in order to take action accordingly in line with service level agreements and standard protocols and procedures.
- Manage inoculation injuries; providing expert advice in relation to BBV transmission, assessment and management of each incident according to the risk, carrying out the correct/relevant blood tests at the various stages, providing prophylactic HIV treatment and monitoring this as necessary.
- Assist with the planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for individuals and for higher risk groups in accordance with policies and individual needs. Carry out health promotion and health promotion programmes as required.
- Participating in maintaining accurate departmental manual and computerised records.
- Referring clients, where appropriate to the Occupational Physicians, General Practitioner, Physiotherapy, etc. Giving and receiving of reports and writing letters of referral, where appropriate.
- Respond promptly to infection alerts amongst staff. Co-operating with Infection Prevention during an outbreak.
- Undertake regular environmental visits to work areas in order to build and maintain knowledge of various occupations, processes, machinery, equipment and substances in use.
- Co-operate with the Managers of all departments in the study of the working environment and its effects on health.
- Assist patients /service users/carers/relatives during incidental contacts.
- Having a high regard for data quality, confidentiality and Data Protection.
Planning and organising
- Accepting on-going responsibility for providing occupational healthcare for those areas delegated to you.
- Organise and plan own day to day workload or activities in order to meet the demands of the job role. Planning/organising/co-ordinating the activity for off-site clinics.
- Maintaining Occupational Health service provision for other areas during a colleague's absence.
- Attending meetings as allocated if requested by Occupational Health Nurse Manager or Director of Occupational Health Services.
- To initiate, promote and support innovation in the clinical practice and encourage the application of new techniques /procedures in the workplace.
- Actively participate in Clinical Governance and audit.
Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources
- Ensure the proper use of resources and equipment, ensuring equipment is maintained and calibrated as required.
- Assist in the maintenance of stock levels of clinical consumables, pharmacy stores and relevant paperwork
- Ensuring the Health and Safety policy within the department is adhered to.
- Ensure safe and efficient use of equipment, resources and consumables at all times including equipment calibrations.
- To have a duty of care for equipment, ensuring it remains clean and safe and report any damaged equipment.
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development and Implementation
- Assisting in the provision of Occupational Health Services to contractors/industries outside the NHS
- To embrace and support line management and the department in making service improvements effective within the workplace.
- Review policies/procedures requiring analytical skills and proposes changes and implements policies.
- Identify areas of need and develop Health Promotion
- Being responsible and accountable for the provision, management and improvement of the occupational health service within the work areas/projects for which you have responsibility.
- Work with the team in establishing appropriate standards of Occupational Health care. Providing ideas for service improvements and leading/managing projects.
- Responsibilities and accountability for provision of Occupational Health Services to contractors/industries outside the NHS.
- Works within organisational policies and guidelines.
- To provide specialist knowledge and advice on occupational health related matters via informal and formal management meetings (e.g. Occupational Health internal meetings, Infection Control)
- Compliance with internal and external targets relating to clinical services such as the Department of Health and CQUIN targets.
- Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance.
- Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development.
- Carry out audits and service evaluation programmes.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date with current nursing guidance & new advances in general nursing
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within the NHS
- Significant post registration experience
- Venepuncture
- Health promotion
- Training & presentations.
Desirable
- Experience of working in Occupational Health
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrates new service development, inspiring & leading others, positive attitude
- Evidence of undertaking audits
- Shows commitment, organisational, planning & prioritisation skills
- Evidence of ability to manage many competing demands
- Evidence of proficiency in computer skills.
- Demonstrates clear & effective communication & interpersonal skills
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date with current nursing guidance & new advances in general nursing
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within the NHS
- Significant post registration experience
- Venepuncture
- Health promotion
- Training & presentations.
Desirable
- Experience of working in Occupational Health
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrates new service development, inspiring & leading others, positive attitude
- Evidence of undertaking audits
- Shows commitment, organisational, planning & prioritisation skills
- Evidence of ability to manage many competing demands
- Evidence of proficiency in computer skills.
- Demonstrates clear & effective communication & interpersonal skills
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
