Job overview
Please note this role is currently only being advertised to staff members who are currently working within the Kent and Medway ICS.
The Occupational Health service support staff in the organisation from the moment they are offered a job to when they leave. The service uses evidence based practice outlined in legislation and policy to support staff remain safe and healthy at work.
As part of the Occupational Health team you will be involved in offering competent, comprehensive Occupational Health advice to service users within given key performance indicators (both internal and external clients).
It is an exciting time to join the Occupational Health team with much local and national focus on supporting workers stay well and in work, development in the way Occupational Health is delivered and how we work with other services within the organisation is developing.
The Occupational Health Service is a nurse led service working with a range of teams from across the trust, including health and safety, infection control and senior leaders to robustly and proactively support our staff.
Main duties of the job
You will provide a high standard of Occupational Health verbal and written advice to Human Resources, managers, staff and external clients including assessment, advice/education, treatment, management and functional capacity evaluation.
By contributing to the delivery of Occupational Health and wellbeing programs and public health in the workplace you will enhance the experience of our service users, empowering both staff and managers to work in a supportive and collaborative way, which will have a positive impact on patient care at the trust.
You'll organise and participate in complex and often sensitive situations with staff e.g. sickness absence management in line with OH policies and procedures. You'll also contribute to the health and wellbeing of staff and on occasions lead on particular service development initiatives and health promotion activities.
Assisting with occupational health clinics, the daily running of the department and management of a caseload providing specialist clinical advice on work related health issues, will be an expectation of the role. Adhering to all Trust policies and local Occupational Health procedures and Guidance documents will be essential.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Click here to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Degree/Diploma in nursing
2. Current NMC Registration
3. Evidence of Continued Practice Development – post-registration
Desirable criteria
4. Degree/Diploma in Occupational Health - Part 3 NMC Registration – (Registered Specialist Community Public Health Nurse – OH)
5. Current immunisation/anaphylaxis certificate
6. Current venepuncture certificate
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
7. Experience of working as part of an Occupational Health team or similar e.g. specialist nurse position
8. Experience of working within PGD guidelines
9. Sound clinical knowledge and understanding of Occupational Health within the NHS/Healthcare setting
10. Good working knowledge of managing accidents/injuries within the health care setting and planning appropriate follow up treatment
11. Good working knowledge of current national Occupational Health Agenda and appropriate national guidelines (e.g. Department of Health)
Desirable criteria
12. Involvement in audit, research and understanding quality issues.
13. Experience of attending committee meetings
14. Attendance of appropriate supplementary courses/study days that have developed specialist & professional knowledge
15. Experience of Occupational Health within the NHS
16. Up to date knowledge of Health & Wellbeing initiatives
Skills
Essential criteria
17. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal
18. Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession
19. Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
20. Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate with excellent time management
21. Strong interpersonal skills with clients of all levels including handling distressed clients sensitively
22. Ability to work independently and make informed decisions
23. Competent immunisation and vaccination skills
Desirable criteria
24. Competent IT skills
25. Knowledge of OPAS Occupational Health Software Program
26. Coaching skills