HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ADVISOR BAND 7 JOB DESCRIPTION JOB PURPOSE: 1.

This post will act as a support to the specialist nurse in the field of Occupational Health.

2.

The post holder will provide advice, guidance and support to Health and Social Services Department (HSSD) managers and staff and other outside organisations as required and on occasions without direct supervision.

3.

To take charge of the department in the absence of the Occupational Health Manager and actively assist in service development and delivery.

4.

In the absence of the Occupational Health Manager, be responsible for the OH Physician, secretary, counsellor, agency and other staff.

5.

To participate in the assessment of staff and organisational needs, and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of Occupational Healthcare in conjunction with the Occupational Health Manager.

6.

To participate in the development and maintenance of occupational health services for Health and Social Services Department in accordance with relevant Government guidance and legislation, including guidance from relevant expert bodies and Occupational Health Best Practice.

7.

To work in partnership with other departments within the HSSD, e.g. Health and Safety and Control and Prevention of Infection, in the achievement of corporate objectives and delivery of a quality service.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: HEALTH & SAFETY / INFECTION CONTROL / RISK ASSESSMENT 1.

To ensure compliance with all legislation requirements, e.g. Guernsey Legislation and accepted UK Standards.

2.

To ensure that the Department provides a positive and safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

3.

To report untoward accidents and occurrences and near misses in line with HSSD procedure.

4.

To investigate incidents and complaints and prepare statements as required

5.

To ensure protective clothing and equipment is used in line with the Infection Control Policy

6.

To use appropriate risk assessment and management at all levels.

7.

To makes ongoing risk assessments.

8.

Responsible for ensuring that all members of the Ward/Department/Unit are familiar with and competent in the action required in emergencies, e.g. cardiac arrest, fire.

9.

Occasional exposure to verbally aggressive patients / HSSD staff is to be expected.

MANAGEMENT 1.

To Deputise for the Occupational Health Manager (OHM) and actively assist in service development and delivery.

2.

In the absence of the Occupational Health Manager, be responsible for the OH Physician, secretary, counsellor, agency and other staff.

3.

To contribute to the recruitment and retention of team members.

4.

To ensure team members are aware of organisational objectives, policies and procedures and the implications they have for their practice.

5.

To undertake the professional development review process with identified team members. Support staff with performance issues developing action plans to address developmental needs.

6.

To deliver training to departmental staff and mentor as required.

7.

To ensure cover to maintain service levels in the absence of the OHM.

8.

To attend HSSD meetings aimed at health risk reduction on behalf of the OHD and give relevant specialist advice.

9.

To take the role of Nurse lead on specified projects in agreement with the OHM .

10. To assist with HSSD policy developments and reviews. 11. To assist with development and implementation of written procedures for all departmental activities. 12. Involvement in Budgetary responsibility 13. To work with the OHM to develop and publicise Occupational Health Services and ensure the highest quality of care for staff.

14. To deliver agreed service levels of Occupational Health contracts to HSSD, Other States of Guernsey Departments and other clients using agreed standards. 15. To provide clinical advice on problems presented to the Occupational Health Department regarding management and staff self-referrals. 16. To work unsupervised with reference to OHM where issues arise outside of the scope of the post holder. 17. To arrange appropriate referrals and interventions for staff referred to the department. 18. To follow up workplace accidents, injuries and incidents ensuring early interventions aimed at absence reduction. 19. To undertake environmental / workplace assessments in conjunction with managers. 20. To contribute towards protocols for vaccination relevant to risks or conditions encountered by staff in the course of their employment. 21. To ensure staff are advised, offered and administered appropriate vaccinations relevant to risks or conditions encountered in the course of their employment with specific reference to HSSD policies. 22. To ensure that all candidates for employment have appropriate health evaluations prior to being appointed to any post and are advised on prevention of illness related to their work. 23. Assist the HSSD in planning and delivery of specific, targeted health promotion campaigns. 24. To ensure that the OHD assists with HSSD Pre employment policy in respect of Exposure Prone Procedures. 25. To communicate and liaise with a variety of primary health care providers and specialists ensuring that relevant information is provided to the Occupational Health Department and to other parties including managers. 26. To forward plan and ensure adequate departmental medical supplies and equipment are maintained. 27. To deal with potentially sensitive situations with tact ensuring no breaches of confidentiality. 28. To develop and deliver systems for specific health surveillance programmes in conjunction with OHM and relevant managers. 29. To ensure that all written and electronic records are recorded, stored and retrieved as per the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2001. 30. The post holder will be required to act as a support in the OH field to the Occupational Health Nurse Manager.

CLINICAL 1.

To work autonomously and manage own workload, incorporating health surveillance programmes, health promotion activities and immunisation programmes whilst working as part of the multidisciplinary team within occupational health.

2.

To plan programmes for caseload where necessary in compliance with relevant occupational health protocols and be responsible for transportation and safe custody of vaccines and teaching / promotional aids between sites and to external contracts.

3.

To maintain effective communication with clients, managers and other professionals to ensure service delivery.

4.

Provision of confidential supportive counselling for distressing / emotional circumstances such as work-related / personal issues or following traumatic events and refer on to Counsellor or Occupational Health Physician as necessary.

5.

To develop specialist programmes of Health Surveillance for external clients in compliance with current health and safety legislation, including OH follow-up and advice. Advise managers on the effective implementation of recommended measures to provide a safe system of work.

6.

Interpreting complex facts and situations relating to employment e.g. assessing/judging individuals’ suitability for employment / continued employment and return to work assessments in liaison with the Senior Clinical Medical Officer or Occupational Health Manager in line with DDA and all other relevant legislation.

7.

To provide basic emotional support to distressed staff with referral to staff counselling or other appropriate agencies.

8.

To deal with blood and body fluid contamination incidents according to policy.

9.

To assist efficient contact tracing and follow up of staff exposed to infectious pathogens in the course of their work.

10. To ensure that relevant tests and investigations are ordered, undertaken and interpreted, liaising with other health care professionals where appropriate and advising results to staff. 11. Undertake management referrals and provide written reports to managers detailing advice, adjustments, restrictions and limitations. EDUCATION AND TRAINING 1.

To contribute to educational programmes within the organisation and deliver relevant presentations where appropriate.

2.

Maintain own professional development and portfolio, by keeping updated on Occupational Health and other nursing issues.

3.

Participate in opportunities for teaching and learning both in the department, HSSD and States departments.

RESEARCH 1.

Identify and analyse health risks to staff, reviewing relevant research to underpin OH practice and carrying out appropriate agreed interventions.

2.

Participate in research, audit and clinical governance activity related to department activity and organisational objectives.

3.

Ability to critically reflect upon work practices and situations in order to improve practice and services to organisation’s and individual clients. Will be guided by, and interpret national and organisational policies within the context of OH practice to a local level.

COMMUNICATION 1.

Communicate highly sensitive information to clients and managers whilst maintaining confidentiality, in line with NMC Guidelines and HSSD Policy on Confidentiality.

2.

Collaborate with other professionals/external agencies to implement specialised packages.

3.

Collaborate with other members of the multidisciplinary team within HSSD i.e. Health & Safety, Infection Control, Physiotherapists.

4.

Demonstrates a high degree of communication skills required to work with all levels of clients using the service, and other health professionals as required.

This job description sets out the key tasks and responsibilities. It is not intended to be fully comprehensive and should be regarded with a degree of flexibility so that the changing needs of the Occupational Health’s service can be met and will, therefore, be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.

KEY CRITERIA: ESSENTIAL 1.

Registered Nurse.

2.

Registered on part 3 Public Health – OH.

3.

Teaching/mentoring qualification.

4.

Diploma in a related field.

5.

Experience in Occupational Health in either a Health and Social Services setting or private background with similar people case management.

6.

Must have people management skills including the ability to deal with problems and to advise and direct as appropriate.

7.

Management and counselling skills training.

8.

Excellent interpersonal skills.

9.

Writing reports.

10. Negotiation skills. 11. Attention to detail. 12. Self-awareness. 13. Ability to maintain confidentiality. 14. Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team. 15. Ability to maintain personal/professional boundaries. 16. Car driver. 17. Lone working. DESIRABLE 18. Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement or equivalent (D32/33, NVQ A1). 19. Degree relevant to Occupational Health or research in a health care setting. 20. Management qualification.