Job overview
We are looking to recruit a committed, enthusiastic and flexible Specilist Occupational Health 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 Specialist Nurse will be responsible for supporting senior members of the team in developing standards within the OH service. There will be a responsibility to Line Manage members of the OH team and help them to develop in their roles. The Specialist Nurse will work alongside the team in supporting with Training and Development and ensuring they meet the necessary SEQOHS Standards.
Working for our organisation
East Lancashire Hospital Trust is a patient focused organisation, committed to the delivery of safe, personal and effective care.
All employees are required to comply with employment legislation and codes of good practice.
Equality and Diversity
We are an Equal Opportunities employer and will do all we can to make sure that job applicants and employees do not receive less favorable treatment because of their age, sex, marital status, faith, race, disability or sexual orientation, or for any other reason that is not justified.
Health and Safety
In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and other supplementary legislation, all employees are required to follow Trust Health and Safety policies and safe working procedures, take reasonable care to avoid injury during the course of their work, and co-operate with the Trust and others in meeting statutory requirements.
Infection Control
All employees must comply with Prevention and Control of Infection polices and attend any related mandatory training.
Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
The Trust attaches great importance to Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. It is the responsibility of all members of staff to ensure that the Trust’s resources are used efficiently with minimum wastage throughout their daily activities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main Responsibilities Overview:
* Demonstrate a high level of judgement, analytical and concentration skills in order to conduct pre-employment health assessment, immunisation programmes, work based assessments, health surveillance, management and self-referrals, return to work and phased return to work programmes, management of staff exposed to biological hazards (including contamination injuries), taking advice from Senior Specialist Practitioner/Occupational Health Physician.
* * Initiate and maintain regular contact with management and staff in designated areas of responsibility, provide advice to management of employees contracted for services with ELHT.
* Contribute as a member of the team and promote effective use of the Occupational Health service.
* Help to assist in monitoring and performing health surveillance of the working population at specific risk in line with the statutory and voluntary requirements of the organisation. Manage programmes and competently undertake spirometry, audiometry, vision screening, night workers health assessments, skin assessments. Accurately interpret results and refer clients to the Occupational Health Physician as necessary.
* Assist to promote and maintain health related behaviour amongst the working population by using specialist knowledge to educate individual clients, managers and colleagues e.g. skin care advice, safe use of PPE, role and functions of workplace health and well-being health, DSE assessment, contamination injury prevention, smoking cessation advice, weight management and vaccination programmes.
* Contribute to the morale and well being of the workplace by supporting the employer and employee in management of sickness absence via referrals from management or individual staff.
* Assist in the evaluation of the effectiveness of occupational health nursing interventions by the assessment of clinical outcomes quality and audit.
* To participate in vaccination and immunisation procedures to assist in maintaining immune status of staff in accordance with the Trust Policies and Occupational Health Policies and procedures including the responsibility for custody of vaccines and other related drugs. This includes safe storage, cold-chain and safe transportation.
* Communicate effectively with all levels of personnel and develop good relationships with all Trust staff and other organisations.
* Assist in devising, implementing and monitoring evidence based protocols in conjunction with the occupational health team.
* Interpret and apply health and safety legislation and approved codes of practice with particular regard for the environment, well being and protection of the working population and wider community.
* Participate in clinical supervision and maintain up to date knowledge base in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Council.
* Develop research skills in self and others that promote evidence based practice and assist in audit programmes.
* Exercise personal accountability for practice and ensure that any development or adjustment to practice is achieved without compromising the scope of Professional Practice.
* To be involved in developments relating to Clinical Governance/SEQOHS
* Devise and update occupational health practice standards with the multi-disciplinary team.
* Such other duties at a comparable level of responsibility, as may normally be agreed with the job holder.
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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Professional qualificationRGN
Desirable criteria
* Non-Medical prescribing
Experience
Essential criteria
* Multi-disciplinary working
* Experience of community working
* Line Manager working
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
* Must have access to transport for work purposes
* Ability to use problem solving approach
* Good communication skills
* Ability to work alone and as part of a team
* Ability to cope with problems professionally
* Ability to adapt to the needs of the service and work independently
* IT skills
* Able to work autonomously
* Knowledge of Professional and NHS issues
* Ability to communicate unpleasant and sensitive information
* Ability to communicate in a variety of settings
* Assessment skills
* Record keeping
* Able to deputise in the absence of the Senior Nurse
* Knowledge of the role of other professionals
* Evidence of implementation of change
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
* Willing to work out of the different bases to meet the needs of the service
* Able to adapt to change
* Ability to work contracted hours rotationally across day and night shifts, as reasonably required by the needs of the service
* Organisational skills