Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and innovative Occupational Health Nurse Advisor to join our well established, multi-disciplinary team.
The successful candidate will be joining Well Being Partners, a SEQOHS accredited Occupational Health and wellbeing partnership. We currently provide services to a number of organisations in the Northwest region including NHS clients, Universities and private sector businesses. The role is based predominantly at Wigan Investment Centre.
The appointed individual will be able to work independently as well as within a team and will actively participate in the delivery of a professional pro-active service to the Trust and external organisations as contracted. Excellent communication skills are an essential part of this role, with the ability to liaise with colleagues and other health professionals.
Knowledge and experience of occupational health issues and health and well-being at work is essential for this post. The ideal candidate would be able to assist in the development of the service & be proactive and flexible in order to influence the health of employees.
A full driving license with access to a vehicle, a flexible approach to working hours, job requirements and cover across all sites is required.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of a high quality, comprehensive Occupational Health nursing service to the staff of the Trust and client organisations of the Service.
The post holder will provide specialist advice, guidance and support to managers and staff and work closely with the Consultant in Occupational Medicine and designated supervising senior occupational health nurse/manager in the maintenance and development of the service, as well as improvements in quality standards in accordance with relevant and national guidelines.
Job responsibilities
1. 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.
2. To undertake pathology tests through venepuncture in line with departmental protocols and liaise with laboratory staff e.g. virologists when appropriate.
3. To undertake health screening procedures, e.g. lung function testing, skin checks, and immunisations.
4. Plan and organise wellbeing initiatives for employees of The Trust.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. To assist and advise Trust management on suitable screening/health surveillance, as deemed necessary, either through legislation or following appropriate risk assessments.
8. To initiate, promote and support innovation in the clinical practice and encourage the application of new techniques/procedures in the workplace.
9. 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.
10. To ensure that investigations and tests are undertaken/interpreted, as appropriate and to liaise with other health care professionals where necessary.
11. Actively participate in Clinical Governance and audit.
12. Take responsibility for ensuring security and confidentiality of all medical records and other confidential information (either paper form or electronic) and always maintain patient confidentiality.
13. Prepare reports regarding Occupational Health activities and specific requests for information and audit reviews, as required.
14. 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.
15. Maintain health surveillance records in accordance with statutory regulations for example Control of Substance Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), Ionising Radiation, Asbestos.
16. Supervise and provide support to the administrative staff.
17. Promote health education on a range of health topics on a one-to-one basis or in group sessions.
18. 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.
19. 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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registration with NMC Part 1
* OH Degree/Diploma
* Registered SCPHN
* Other relevant nursing/OH qualifications, for example, audiometry and spirometry qualification
Experience
* 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.
* 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
* 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.
* Counselling skills.
* Enthusiasm for promoting work health and wellbeing.
* Proven influencing and leadership skills.
Knowledge
* 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.
* Understanding of the current national Occupational Health & Wellbeing agenda.
Additional
* Full driving license/flexible approach to working hours, job requirements and cover across all sites.
* 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.
* 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.
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
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