Occupational Health Practitioner

Job overview

The postholder will work within the established OH team and primarily provide a specialist Occupational Health service focusing on manager referrals and health assessments for employees and managers of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. The OH service is nurse led, with the benefit of an OH Physician attending weekly.

Main duties of the job

• To promote, maintain and improve the physical and mental wellbeing of all staff.
• To advise both management and staff on the protection of employees against physical or environmental health hazards, which may arise from their work or the conditions in which it is carried out.
• To provide a proactive case management service to support health and wellbeing assessments, and help support employee health and presence in the workplace to drive down sickness absence.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Duties

To assess, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care maintaining the highest possible standards

To perform manager referrals, return to work assessments and manage rehabilitation to normal employee duties.

Assess and evaluate health assessment questionnaires, request further information where necessary and communicate fitness to work outcomes to employing managers, including any restrictions/adaptations required.

Where required, assess, evaluate and implement vaccinations, collect blood samples and/or initiate and perform health surveillance requirements pertinent to job risk and risk assessment, as indicated and in accordance OH procedure, Trust Policy and in accordance with customer SLA.

Where required provide, evaluate and document health surveillance assessments, including audiometry, spirometry and hand arm vibration syndrome, working at heights or in confined spaces, DSE, etc., notifying outcomes to employing managers and/or referral to Senior Specialist Nurse Practitioners, or Physicians as required

Review, assess and evaluate screening and post-vaccine blood results and implement any further actions required dependent upon those results and according to Department of Health guidelines, OH and Trust policies and procedures and in accordance with customer SLA’s

Respond to notification of sharps injuries, giving advice, guidance and support according to OH and Trust Infection Control and Sharps Injury policies.

To actively promote good health management.

Maintain a high standard of client focused care in accordance with Trust guidelines and policies

Act as a role model for the development of clinical skills and knowledge within the team

Maintain a safe and clean working environment

Support the Senior Specialist Practitioner in setting and monitoring standards

Provide assessment, planning, implementation and an evaluation of care and ensure accurate written/electronic contemporaneous records are maintained.

Demonstrate personal responsibility for compliance with infection prevention and control policies and procedures, including compliance with the Hygiene code.

Professional Duties

To establish and maintain professional working relationships with managers and staff in all areas of contracts assigned, whilst bearing in mind the confidential nature of the work.

To advise staff and managers on safe working practice and within legal frameworks, e.g. Stress Management, COSHH, Personal Protective Equipment, Display Screen Equipment, Noise Control and play an active part in meeting health and safety requirements.

To maintain accurate and confidential health records for all employees and ensure their security.

When required, to represent the Service in Trust / Contract meetings, for example Health and Safety Committee.

To be involved with the teaching and supervision of all managers and staff in relation to occupational health issues on:

• A one-to-one basis, Small informal groups Formal, classroom settings e.g., at corporate induction, case conference meetings, and other health training courses and workshops. To mentor students on placement ( pre-registration spoke placements) and provide clinical advice and support to the Wellbeing Assistant
• A one-to-one basis,
• Small informal groups
• Formal, classroom settings e.g., at corporate induction, case conference meetings, and other health training courses and workshops.
• To mentor students on placement ( pre-registration spoke placements) and provide clinical advice and support to the Wellbeing Assistant

Managerial Duties

• There are no managerial duties required in this post.

Financial Duties

• There are no financial duties required in this post.

Managing Self

• Participate in regular supervision.
• Attend all mandatory training.
• Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
• Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy.
• Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary.
• Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times.
• Ensure maintenance of Professional Registration.

This job description is an outline only and is not definitive or restrictive in any way. It will be regularly reviewed and may be amended in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder.

This role may require travel within Calderdale and Kirklees areas, although predominantly being based at Calderdale Royal Hospital.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.