Occupational Health Nurse

Job overview

We are looking to recruit a committed, enthusiastic and flexible Staff Nurse to join our team in The Occupational Health & Wellbeing Department at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The department is a forward thinking and expanding team with a multidisciplinary approach.  We will offer you guidance, support and encouragement to enhance your career.

Main duties of the job

The Staff Nurse will be responsible for carrying out immunisations / vaccinations, venepuncture, infection control screenings, VDU eye tests, giving advice on healthy working initiatives as well as the health / work balance and assessments pertaining to sickness absence.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• To develop and facilitate a client centred approach to care, referring to the Senior Nurse as appropriate.
• Undertake pre – employment health assessments of prospective employees to ascertain their fitness for work. Undertake any health surveillance identified and provide advice and support.
• To deliver a prompt and reliable immunisation and vaccination programme to employees.
• To assess and advise a member of staff following a needlestick injury. To ensure appropriate blood tests, treatments and follow up is arranged in accordance with trust policy.
• To carry out VDU eye tests on employees as deemed necessary.
• To carry out other duties which will help keep staff at work or will help to facilitate an early return to work following a period of sickness absence.

• To be competent in advising managers on restrictions of employees duties, if their health deems necessary, in liaison with the Consultant in Occupational Medicine or Senior Nurse Manager.
• To carry out other duties as deemed appropriate by the Consultant in Occupational Medicine and Senior Nurse Manager.

Managerial

• To contribute to the effective day to day running of the Occupational Health Department
• Assist in the setting of standards of care and quality assurance programmes with measurement and evaluation of outcomes within the department
• Contribute to the development and implementation of occupational health policies and procedures and make recommendations on changes that may be needed.
• To check that the clinic room stock is at an appropriate level having due regard to economy of use.
• To check that equipment and resources are in good working order.

Professional

• To maintain a smart professional appearance.
• To develop and maintain professional clinic room methods and standards.
• To assist in the delivery of good, modern occupational health service complying with departmental occupational health procedures.
• To practice as a self- supervising professional as well as with the guidance from the Senior Nurse Manager when appropriate, taking initiative when necessary to achieve the general departmental aims.
• To maintain registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
• To participate in staff appraisal.

Educational

• To maintain professional skills and competencies, including the procedure for managing anaphylactic shock.
• To ensure that continuing professional development is undertaken in order to advance knowledge of the Occupational Health speciality.
• To be involved in health promotion activities, including the identification of any initiatives that could be implemented.
• Undertake health promotion on a one-to-one basis or as a group.
• Have the skills and knowledge to present and speak in front of a group of people.

Audit and Research

• To participate in the collection of information for clinical audit within the department.

Governance

The post holder will operate at all times to high standards of probity. This will include:

• Observing health and safety regulations
• Complying fully with all policies and procedures approved by the Trust
• Complying with the Trust’s Standing Financial Instructions
• Complying with the Data Protection Act and other requirements for client confidentiality within occupational health