Occupational Health Technician - Req24554

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

As a Occupational Health Technician you’ll be delivering on core elements of the Health, Safety and Wellbeing strategies. Contributing and supporting a range of Occupational Health services to the highest standard, to support the Occupational Health Manager and clinical team to provide information and advice to managers and colleagues across the organisation, to protect and promote the health and well-being of all our employees.​

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As an Occupational Health Technician, you will bring to the role:

• Occupational Health Technician course and/or accreditation for undertaking basic health surveillance
• Able to operate Occupational Health electronic information management systems and other information technology e.g. data bases, email, spreadsheets and word processing.
• Able to effectively use a client record system and operate within confidentiality guidelines.
• The ability to contribute to the planning, implementation and evaluation of Occupational Health programmes, which involves Health protection and surveillance programmes, new starter screening, health promotion and related administration as appropriate.
• Produce accurate records, management information, statistics and other information on a regular

About the role

The role of the Occupational Health Technician is vital to allow Leeds City Council to meet its statutory requirement for undertaking health surveillance on staff members. By supporting colleagues during their working life and ensuring that we are ensuring that our staff members are kept in the best of health during their working lives.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Annette Bradley, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Service Manager. email Annette.bradley@leeds.gov.uk

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
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This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose: Assist in delivering core elements of the HSW strategy. Contributing and supporting a range of Occupational Health services to the highest standard, to support the Occupational Health Manager and clinical team to provide information and advice to managers and colleagues across the organisation, to protect and promote the health and well-being of all our employees. The role fulfils one of the organisation’s ‘competent people,’ pursuant to the statutory requirement to have access to professional and technical health and safety advice.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the planning, implementation and evaluation of Occupational Health programmes, which involves Health protection and surveillance programmes, new starter screening, health promotion and related administration as appropriate.
• ​Support the continuing development and delivery of a professional and pro-active Occupational Health service, with particular emphasis on our developing Health Surveillance programme.
• Provide a key role in the provision of Occupational Health programmes which include Health protection and surveillance.
• Contribute and support a range of Occupational Health services to the highest standard.
• Support the development and delivery of the strategy targeted at improving Health and Wellbeing within the organisation.​
• Work as part of the wider HR Service to develop and deliver effective, value added approaches and solutions which make a difference to service delivery and help achieve the Council’s organisational goals and compliance.
• Contribute to the planning, implementation and evaluation of Occupational Health programmes, which involves Health protection and surveillance programmes, new starter screening, health promotion and related administration as appropriate.
• Carry out basic health surveillance of workers exposed to hazards in the workplace.  
• Travel to service locations may be required to undertake these assessments.
• Provide supervision as required and oversee the day to day delivery of the service, ensuring optimal use of clinical time and resources available,
• Support the OH service by providing expertise in determining the need to refer clients for appointments or interventions, providing information on fitness to work, adaptations and reasonable adjustments in a timely manner.
• Help develop and utilise systems and procedures to support efficient, effective and optimal operation of the Occupational Health Service and to maintain appropriate health related records in accordance with UKCC guidelines, utilising computerised and manual systems where appropriate.
• Maintain effective communication and good working relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation, including HR/Health and Safety teams, service managers, trade unions, other partners and external bodies to facilitate progress on health related initiatives whilst taking account of business needs.
• Produce accurate records, management information, statistics and other information on a regular basis
• Help to raise the profile and credibility of the Occupational Health service across the organisation by influencing and delivering on key health and well-being priorities, acting as an ambassador for the service.
• Keep up to date with developments in relevant legislation e.g. health and safety legislation, Equality Act, data protection; good Occupational Health practices; and changes within Local Government as part of a process of continuous professional and management development.
• Act in a professional manner and adhere and abide by professional standards and obligations, including maintaining confidentiality of records and other information.
• Work as an integral part of the HR service supporting the development of the Council’s policies and strategic employment framework, facilitating the function of those policies which relate to health, safety and well-being of employees, ensuring best practice in all health and well-being issues.
• Follow organisational guidance and established best practice on issues which are linked to the employee health and wellbeing agenda on a local and national level, ensuring the service is proactive and continuously improves in its delivery and performance.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications 

• NVQ 3 or equivalent knowledge and experience.  
• Completion of Occupational Health Technician course and/or accreditation for undertaking basic health surveillance or demonstrate equivalent experience of undertaking basic health surveillance including audiometry and respiratory assessments.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to provide employee/ workforce information to assist decision making.
• Able to support managers on a range of employee related issues to deliver their priorities.
• Able to operate Occupational Health electronic information management systems and other information technology e.g. data bases, email, spreadsheets and word processing.
• Able to effectively use a client record system and operate within confidentiality guidelines.
• Able to work within a team environment and to foster good, collaborative team working.
• Able to make decisions on routine issues.
• Able to provide and present clear accurate, and timely information to agreed standards.
• Able to work flexibly and demonstrate a commitment to developing a consistent service approach
• Able to communicate on routine topics with a wide range of people.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude to help make change happen.
• Evidence of effectively using own judgement skills to ensure positive outcomes whilst maintaining good working relationships with colleagues, managers and other stakeholders.
• Able to contribute to improving service delivery and / or processes in service areas or corporately.
• Understanding of the council’s and/or service priorities and support managers in working towards them.
• Awareness of the business priorities and demands of a range of service areas.
• Knowledge of legislation, guidance and codes of practice relevant to Occupational Health and Safety
• Experience of providing advice and dealing with senior managers
• Experience of contributing to and implementing policies, procedures and legislation to support organisational goals, outcomes, with a particular interest / expertise in advising on health surveillance.
• Experience of developing/delivering health promotion and education programmes
• Experience of working to Service Level Agreements and performance indicators relating to the provision of Occupational Health services.
• Experience of supervising/managing a team, overseeing work flow and planning resources.
• Experience of initiating and progressing own workload
• Experience of preparing and presenting information to a range of audiences
• Experience of managing and co-ordinating a variety of workloads in addition to individual workload.
• Experience of supporting service delivery projects

​Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.