Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Specialist Occupational Health Practitioner to join the Occupational Health Service at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
This senior clinical role provides the opportunity to deliver evidence-based occupational health services to Trust employees and a diverse portfolio of external clients, whilst providing clinical leadership, professional support and education across the Occupational Health Service.
Working autonomously within your scope of professional practice, you will manage a complex clinical caseload, provide specialist occupational health advice to managers and organisations, and contribute to the development of high-quality, safe and effective services. You will play a key role in supporting clinical governance, workforce development and quality improvement.
You will be required to travel across all ESNEFT Trust sites and other locations as needed.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver autonomous specialist occupational health practice, undertaking comprehensive assessments, providing evidence-based interventions and managing a complex occupational health caseload.
- Provide specialist occupational health advice to employees, managers and external organisations on fitness for work, sickness absence, workplace adjustments, infection prevention and control, blood and body fluid exposure incidents, health surveillance and relevant health and safety legislation.
- Provide clinical leadership, professional support and supervision to Occupational Health Specialist Practitioners, Clinic Nurses and Technicians, promoting high standards of clinical practice and continuous professional development.
- Lead and support workforce education, including induction, competency development, mentorship and the identification of learning needs to ensure staff have the knowledge and skills required to deliver high-quality occupational health services.
- Work collaboratively with the Occupational Health Consultant Clinical Lead, Clinical Manager and multidisciplinary colleagues to support service development, clinical decision-making and the delivery of safe, effective and responsive occupational health services.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Applicant requirements
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.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to receive, interpret and communicate complex, specialist information to a range of stakeholders, including clients, employees, employers, HR colleagues and managers.
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant OH legislation, professional standards and evidence-based guidance, including Health and Safety legislation, NICE guidance and Department of Health guidance.
- Understanding of clinical governance and quality improvement principles within Occupational Health practice.
Desirable
- Knowledge of quality standards and accreditation processes relevant to Occupational Health, including SEQOHS.
- Knowledge of service improvement approaches, including audit, evaluation and the use of data to support improvements in Occupational Health services.
- Understanding of current developments and challenges affecting Occupational Health practice within NHS and external client environments.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working autonomously as an Occupational Health practitioner within a busy multidisciplinary environment.
- Experience of undertaking assessments and providing evidence-based advice and recommendations.
- Experience of managing and prioritising a varied clinical workload.
- Experience of supporting, educating or developing colleagues within an Occupational Health setting.
- Experience of contributing to audit, quality improvement or service development activity.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a commercial environment.
- Experience of workplace visits.
- Experience of using OPAS G2 Occupational Health database.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse.
- Registered on Part 3 of the NMC Register as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse in Occupational Health.
- Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to Occupational Health practice.
Desirable
- Teaching, mentorship or professional supervision qualification.
- Relevant Health and Safety qualification (for example NEBOSH or equivalent).
- Specialist training or qualifications relevant to service delivery, such as HAVS, health surveillance or workplace assessment.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Specialist Practitioner - Occupational Health with East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust in Colchester Hospital. It is listed as a Band 5 Nurse (community and district) role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 25 Aug 2026.
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