Band 5 - Occupational Health Staff Nurse

Our Services have shared values and respect one another, with a high focus of working continuously to improve services, processes and encourage growth. We take pride in our teams, providing learning and development opportunities and ensuring everyone feels part of the mission. There is a clear culture of accountability, and all ideas are welcomed.
Be part of an exciting new future
In return for your skills and depth of experience we offer great support, training and excellent scope to advance your career in Occupational Health.
Flexible/Hybrid working.
Participating in the provision of a full clinical Occupational Health service to all the customers of NLPSS, Occupational Health.
promoting the health and wellbeing of employees and safeguarding their health from risks arising from their work and their working environment.
Administer a range of occupational immunisations in accordance with the Written Instructions. Develop knowledge in assessing and advising customers about the side effects, effectiveness, follow up and rationale for giving occupational immunisations.
Ensure that all data regarding blood tests and immunisations are accurately recorded on the computerised database, that customers are informed of any outstanding screening or immunisations
The OH staff Nurse will be involved in research and audit to support in the delivery of evidence-based practices and the highest possible standards of care.
Undertake pre-employment health screening and assessment of fitness to work, with recommendations for adjustments to the workplace in accordance with the DDA (1998) under supervision of the SOHA.
Assess the need for further information from GP, specialist or previous employer, the need for pre-employment blood tests in accordance with Department of Health guidelines and gain the appropriate consent.
Effectively communicate the customer’s rights under the Access to Medical reports act (1998)
We are working in partnership with 10 NHS provider organisations within North Central London, with a vision to grow and engage with both NHS and Independent Health Sector organisations. It is an exciting time to join our supportive, innovative, and flexible team of highly experienced Occupational Health Nurses.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
a) Undertake pre-employment health screening and assessment of fitness to work with
recommendations for adjustments to the workplace in accordance with the DDA (1998)
under supervision of the SOHA. 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.
b) Effectively communicate the staff member's rights under the Access to Medical reports
act (1998)
c) To gain experience in the effect of health on work and work on health and be able to
advise staff and managers.
d) 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.
e) To maintain effective communication with the infection control team, virology,
microbiology, and the rest of the OH team with regard to infection control incidents.
f) Assist with external contract work as directed by the Senior Occupational nursing team.
g) 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.
h) Assist the SOHAs 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.
i) Be able to administer a range of occupational immunisations in accordance with the
Written Instructions.
j) Develop knowledge in assessing and advising staff about the side effects,
effectiveness, follow up and rationale for giving occupational
k) Accurately gather and record working history and exposure to workplace hazards.
l) 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.
m) 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.
n) To communicate with GPs, managers and other members of the OH team as
appropriate.
o) To utilise basic counselling and listening skills to support employees/students and
managers. To refer following advice and as appropriate to OH Psychologist, GP, OH
physician or Senior Occupational Health Advisor (SOHA) as appropriate.
p) Use basic knowledge, protocols and guidance to identify actual and potential hazards
regarding manual handling, ergonomics, infection control and working practices.
q) With supervision, contribute to occupational hygiene measurement, control and
education by following guidance in policies and protocols.
r) 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.
s) 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.
t) Be able to administer a range of occupational immunisations in accordance with the
Written Instructions.
u) Develop knowledge in assessing and advising staff about the side effects,
effectiveness, follow up and rationale for giving occupational immunisations.
2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
a) No budgetary responsibilities other than to ensure the continued maintenance of good
housekeeping with the minimum waste of resources.
3. RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADING AND MANAGING
a) 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.
b) Display good negotiation skills and empathy when delivering difficult messages and the
ability to break down barriers in communication and understanding.
c) Ensure that departmental protocols and policies are adhered to.
d) To ensure that clinics run efficiently across the service.
4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES
a) Maintaining the data base of information and will be responsible for safeguarding and
storing data in line with national guidance.
b) Maintain secure, accurate, continuous and confidential Occupational Health records in line
with legislative requirements and Trust and department policies.
c) Collect all Occupational Health record and store data accurately.
d) Ensure highest levels of clinical governance, through effective use of policies and SOP’s.
e) Assist the SOHAs 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.
5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
a) The postholder will work with the SOHAs in undertaking research to drive service
developments using the agreed key performance indicators and benchmarking exercises
with information from the Occupational Health System.
b) Initiate, and participate in, programmes of audit where necessary and support the
dissemination of findings.
c) Contribute to the ongoing development of the computerised OH record system / database
and participate in departmental audits.
d) To take part in assessing and meeting the needs of the department and the trust by
participating in research and audit programmes.
6. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
a) All staff members working within the service are expected to work flexibly to meet the
needs of customers. 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 customer 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.
b) From time to time, undertake other duties commensurate with the grade.
c) 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.
d) To act in accordance with the local policies and procedures laid down by the Royal
Free London NHS Foundation Trust and local departmental policies.
e) To maintain a professional profile and to work within the NMC Scope of Professional
Practice Code of Conduct.
f) 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