Occupational Health Nurse Advisor

Job responsibilities

To organise and conduct Nurse led clinics for management referrals or staff self-referrals, and to provide written reports or verbal advice to managers and staff, as appropriate

To undertake pathology tests through venepuncture in line with departmental protocols and liaise with laboratory staff e.g. virologists when appropriate.

To undertake health screening procedures, e.g. lung function testing, skin checks, and immunisations.

Plan and organise wellbeing initiatives for employees of The Trust

To provide clinical advice to staff on medical problems including recommendations to see their GP, if indicated, and signpost or arrange referrals to appropriate services such as Staff Counsellor and physiotherapy

To ensure that all prospective employees have an appropriate pre-placement work health assessment, conduct appropriate screening procedures and provide immunisation, where necessary, in line with service procedures and protocols.

To assist and advise Trust management on suitable screening/health surveillance, as deemed necessary, either through legislation or following appropriate risk assessments.

To initiate, promote and support innovation in the clinical practice and encourage the application of new techniques /procedures in the workplace

To be familiar with national/local guidance on any matters related to occupational health and help develop organisational policies, protocols and procedures in compliance with such guidance.

To ensure that in investigations and tests are undertaken/interpreted, as appropriate and to liaise with other health care professionals where necessary.

Actively participate in Clinical Governance and audit.

Take responsibility for ensuring security and confidentially of all medical records and other confidential information (either paper form or electronic) and always maintain patient confidentiality.

Prepare reports regarding Occupational Health activities and specific requests for information and audit reviews, as required.

Record and document accurate medical information in staff health records in compliance with Trust and Nursing and Midwifery Council standards. Maintain confidential Occupational Health database to ensure information is up-to date.

Maintain health surveillance records in accordance with statutory regulations for example Control of Substance Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), Ionising Radiation, Asbestos.

Supervise and provide support to the administrative staff.

Promote health education on a range of health topics on a one-to-one basis or in group sessions

To advise staff and clients on the promotion of health and prevention of illness in relation to work and participate in the induction of new employees entering the Trust on all aspects of Occupational Health

Undertake other occupational health nurse tasks and activities commensurate with this post, following reasonable requests from senior occupational health nurse/ manager or consultant in occupational medicine.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

Work within the local and wider Occupational Health Team, including attendance at team meetings

To offer specialist advice to various groups/committees, such as Infection Prevention and Control, within the Organisation and support the development and implementation of Trust wide Occupational Health policies in conjunction with other Trust personnel.

Develop and maintain close working relationships with infection control team and risk management which includes health and safety and attend committees meetings if requested.

Develop effective lines of communication with Trust Management and Human Resources Directorate

Responsibility for Human Resources

To assist in the selection, interview and recruitment of staff in liaison with the Nurse Manager.

Assist in the initiation and implementation of an induction/orientation programme for new staff members and to assist in the management of annual leave, sickness absences and arrange extra staff cover for contract agreements.

Undertake Personal Development Reviews for junior staff

To work with the Nurse Manager in determining manpower/skill mix to ensure that the Occupational Health services are offered and maintained at the highest standard.

To deputise for the Nurse Manager as required.

To provide support and supervision to junior nursing staff.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Responsibility for Teaching

Take personal responsibility for developing and maintain own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness in conjunction with NMC guidance

Attend mandatory training as directed by Trust

Provide instruction for junior staff to maintain continuous professional development and liaise closely to share and implement Department of Health guidance.

Actively participate in training sessions on a regular basis as required.

Identify own training needs/professional development requirements

Work Circumstances & on-call

To have flexibility to work in other areas and sites, if required

No routine on-call although there may be occasional requirement to carry out evening or early morning duties, for example, mass vaccination programmes such as flu vaccine and/or provision of services to external client Organisations.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registration with NMC Part 1
• OH Degree/Diploma

Desirable

• Registered SCPHN
• Other relevant nursing/OH qualifications, for example, audiometry and spirometry qualification

Experience

Essential

• Wide breadth experience in Occupational Health Nursing including pre-placement health assessments, health surveillance, spirometry, audiometry, basic counselling, Immunisations
• Experience in independent case management of employees referred to the service by managers, for example in relation to attendance management (sickness absence), and production of management reports
• Experience in working autonomously and organising delivery of service

Desirable

• Experience in Occupational Health nursing within the NHS, including screenings in line with Department of Health guidelines.
• Knowledge of immunisation programmes relevant to the NHS
• Understands UKAP Requirements for EPP workers
• Implementation of Health promotion initiatives
• Experience in conducting surveys and audits

Skills

Essential

• Proficient and skilled in the performance of routine OH clinical activities including venepuncture, IM/SC injections, spirometry, audiometry, vision screening
• Competent in the administration of vaccines and compliant with immunisation training update in past 12 months.
• Ability to work effectively within OH team
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues and members of the multidisciplinary team
• Ability to manage own caseload,
• Work to deadlines, good time management, organisational skills and demonstrate initiative
• Competent IT skills

Desirable

• Counselling skills
• Enthusiasm for promotion work health and wellbeing
• Proven influencing and leadership skills

Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the role and functions of an Occupational Health Nurse
• Evidence of continuing education, training and professional development
• Up-to-date knowledge of guidelines, national reports, and legislation in relation to OH including HSE and Department of Health
• Knowledge of the Equality Act

Desirable

• Understanding of the current national Occupational Health & Wellbeing agenda

Additional

Essential

• Full driving license/flexible approach to working hours, job requirements and cover across all sites (To undertake this post, you must be able to drive and have access to a vehicle. Should you not meet this requirement due to a disability, you are of course able to apply and a discussion regarding whether reasonable adjustments could be made to the role would take place before any offer is confirmed)
• Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation

Desirable

• Perceives opportunities for new services/service development
• Perceives opportunities for research and audit and is proactive

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).