The Occupational Health Staff Nurse will be an integral part of the service and will be required to participate in the provision of full clinical Occupational Health nursing services to all the staff and private contracts of MSE Trust, Occupational Health.. The OH staff nurse will participate in promoting the health and wellbeing of employees and support in safeguarding their health from risks arising from their work and their working environment.
The applicant will also be expected to participate in a range of Occupational Health nursing tasks which will protect employee's pre-employment and in-employment health and wellbeing.
Communication
- Internally communication is with the OH team and more widely with colleagues in the shared service teams such as the TB services, Sexual health and HIV clinics and wellbeing service.
- Display good negotiation skills and empathy when delivering difficult messages and the ability to break down barriers in communication and understanding.
- External communication include private clients clients contracting to the OH services. Communication with department managers/ key staff. Colleagues in people/HR/development directorates
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.
Policy and Service Development
- Undertake pre-employment health screening and assessment of fitness to work with recommendations for adjustments to the workplace in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 under supervision of qualified occupational health nurses. Assess the need for further information from GP, specialist or previous employer for pre-employment blood tests in accordance with Department of Health guidelines and gain the appropriate consent.
- Undertake pre-employment health screening and assessment of fitness to work with recommendations for adjustments to the workplace in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 under supervision of qualified occupational health nurses. Assess the need for further information from GP, specialist or previous employer for pre-employment blood tests in accordance with Department of Health guidelines and gain the appropriate consent.
- Effectively communicate the staff member's rights under the Data Protect Act (2018) and Access to Health Records Act (1990)
- To gain experience in the effect of health on work and work on health and be able to advise staff and managers.
- To assist in investigating infection control problems arising in the workplace, collecting accurate data and samples, recording and reporting findings, and advising staff and managers on action required to protect patients and other staff.
- To contribute to effective communication with the infection control team, virology, microbiology, and the rest of the OHWB team regarding infection control incidents.
- Assist with external contract work as directed by the senior occupational nursing team.
- To develop skills to assess any member of staff/student following a blood or body fluid exposure incident, undertaking a risk assessment, discussing with a senior member of the nursing or medical staff and taking appropriate action in accordance with the policy.
- To ensure that all data regarding blood tests and immunisations are accurately recorded on the computerised database, that staff are informed of any outstanding screening or immunisations and provided with information regarding immunisations and blood test results on request.
- Be able to administer a range of occupational immunisations in accordance with the Written Instructions.
- Develop knowledge in assessing and advising staff about the side effects, effectiveness, follow up and rationale for giving occupational vaccines.
- Develop the skill to accurately gather and record working history and exposure to workplace hazards.
- Be able to take on the training and develop skills to undertake a range of basic health protection/surveillance activities e.g. vision screening; audiometry, skin checks, spirometry, swabs, phlebotomy, urinalysis, immunisations and administration of medicine under our Written Instructions as required.
- Carry out initial assessment of employees following work related accidents/incidents, ill health or sickness absence, using an evidence-based and client centred approach to practice, under the supervision of the Senior Occupational Health Advisor(s). To seek further advice when issues fall outside standard protocols and guidance.
- To communicate with GPs, managers and other members of the OH team as appropriate.
- To utilise basic counselling and listening skills to support employees/students and managers. To refer following advice and as appropriate to GP, OH physician or Senior Occupational Health Advisor (SOHA) as appropriate.
- Use basic knowledge, protocols and guidance to identify actual and potential hazards regarding manual handling, ergonomics, infection control and working practices.
- With supervision, contribute to occupational hygiene measurement, control and education by following guidance in policies and protocols.
- Develop basic knowledge and skills to be able to provide advice on safe systems of work, infection control, personal protective equipment, environmental safety, employee job placement safety, and rehabilitation following health and safety related sickness absence.
- To develop skills to assess any member of staff/student following a blood or body fluid exposure incident, undertaking a risk assessment, discussing with a senior member of the nursing or medical staff and taking appropriate action in accordance with the departmental policy.
Financial and Physical Resources
- No budgetary responsibilities other than to ensure the continued maintenance of good housekeeping with the minimum waste of resources.
Staff Management
- The post holder will contribute to improving the quality of working life, by the effective provision of a comprehensive Occupational Health service and promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of employees in line with the organisations’ objectives.
- Ensure that departmental protocols and policies are adhered to.
- To ensure that clinics run efficiently across the service.
- To provide support and training for junior members of the team.
Information Resources
- Maintaining the data base of information and will be responsible for safeguarding and storing data in line with national guidance.
- Maintain secure, accurate, continuous and confidential occupational health records in line with legislative requirements and Trust and department policies.
- Collect all Occupational Health record and store data accurately.
- Ensure highest levels of clinical governance, through effective use of policies and SOP’s.
- Assist the occupational health nursing team to ensure that all data regarding blood tests and immunisations are accurately recorded on the computerised database, that staff are informed of any outstanding screening or immunisations and provided with information regarding immunisations and blood test results on request.
Effort, Skills and Working
Physical Skills
Clinical skills such as giving injections,
Good keyboard skills to complete clinical records, assist in developing reports, input data etc.
Physical Effort
Setting up equipment and supplies for clinics. This may include lifting and handling of equipment and furniture
Frequent positional changes required when working in clinics not designed for purpose e.g. couches not height adjustable
Mental Effort
Ability to deal with difficult and sensitive situations which require more concentration, where the work pattern is predictable
Concentration required when performing procedures, giving and checking vaccinations, injections, information etc.
Emotional Effort
Exposure to distressing situations on occasions
Working Conditions
Office based with requirements to travel across sites
Additional Responsibilities
- All staff members working within the service are expected to work flexibly to meet the needs of staff and private clients. This may mean stepping across to assist colleagues in other teams, or being temporarily redeployed from one area of the service to another in order to ensure that demands are met across the whole of the client population. Staff working in more junior roles may also be transferred from one part of the service to another to help their own personal development.
- From time to time, undertake other duties commensurate with the grade.
- To maintain confidentiality in accordance with departmental and trust polices and the Data Protection Act 1994. If in the event of an individual's health or safety or that of a patient within the hospital being compromised, then liaise with the Lead OHA or Head of Workforce Health, Equality and Diversity in order to determine whether or not it is appropriate to disclose information without consent.
- To act in accordance with the local policies and procedures laid down by the OH team, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust and local departmental policies.
- To maintain a professional profile and to work within the NMC Scope of Professional Practice Code of Conduct.
- Post holder is responsible for maintaining effective registration with the NMC and must inform Lead OHA of any restriction placed on practice or factors affecting registration.
This job profile is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder.
The post holder will be expected to perform any other duties or responsibilities as assigned by management, within scope of the role.
