Occupational Health Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Primarily to plan and organise, under the guidance of the Nurse Manager, own nurse led clinics on hospital/clinic sites.

Supporting the Occupational Health team in the delivery of Occupational Health Services within the department, Hospital and community settings

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, audiometry, skin checks, and immunisations.

To assist in the maintenance and safe use of equipment.

Undertake pre-employment health assessments to evaluate fitness for work and the potential effects of work on health, obtaining medical reports from GPs/Specialists where appropriate. Liaise with the Senior Occupational Health Nurse Advisors/Consultant in Occupational Medicine for further advice if necessary.

Undertake audits, risk assessments/environmental surveys under the guidance of the Nurse Manager and assist in implementing recommendations.

Undertake risk assessments and initiate action plans to follow up accidental exposure to body fluid incidents in accordance with Occupational Health policy. Liaise with Nurse Manager, Consultant in Occupational Medicine where necessary.

Arrange and monitor referrals to the Thoracic Medicine Department, under the guidance of the Nurse Manager/Senior Occupational Health Nurse Advisors, for employees in accordance with Trust Tuberculosis policy, which includes the contact tracing of staff as required.

To maintain confidential, accurate records of Occupational Health activity via computer records, using OPAS G2, or any other database used by the service

To be familiar with all department processes, procedures, policies and standards and to ensure correct implementation.

Any other reasonable duties for service deliver

Plan and organise, under the guidance of the Nurse Manager, own nurse led clinics on hospital/clinic sites for health surveillance, vaccinations, counselling, health promotion and advice for NHS employees and external organisations.

Plan and organise, under the guidance of the Nurse Manager, wellbeing initiatives for NHS employees and external organisations

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Current first level registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council NMC Level 1

Desirable

• Occupational Health qualification

Experience

Essential

• Substantial post registration experience with broad experience in General Nursing

Desirable

• Experience in Occupational Health Nursing including preemployment health assessments, health surveillance, spirometry, audiometry, vaccinations, counselling
• Experience in Occupational Health within the NHS including the screenings and vaccinations required, management of accidental exposure to body fluids incidents
• Implementation of Health promotion initiatives

Skills

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate good team skills
• Effective communication skills
• Awareness of principles of handling telephone enquiries
• Ability to liaise with all disciplines of staff
• Ability to demonstrate initiative
• Ability to manage own caseload
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Competent IT skills

Desirable

• Experience using databases and excel
• Specialist Occupational Health skills e.g. spriometry, audiometry, ECGs
• Venepuncture, administration of vaccines
• Counselling skills

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of Occupational Health Nursing
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Desirable

• Knowledge of current Department of Health guidelines
• Knowledge of current Health & Safety legislation
• Knowledge of Department of Health guidance in relation to tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV, measles and varicella
• Knowledge of the Equality Act

Additional

Essential

• Ability to travel independently between different Trust and sites of external Organisations
• Ability to adopt to a flexible approach to working hours and circumstances within Occupational Health
• 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

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.

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

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Wigan Investment Centre

Waterside Drive

Wigan

WN3 5BA

Employer's website

http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)