Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To record accurate and confidential Occupational Health information into staff records following all appointments and communication with the department. To update computerised records as required. 
• To use Occupational Health knowledge, experience, principles and practice to assess an individual’s health capability to perform a particular job role at the pre-placement stage and during employment taking into account any relevant legislation such as the Equality Act. To request additional medical information from specialists and GPs where indicated. To inform managers of the findings within the defined department timescales and in line with confidentiality and consent requirements.
• To provide advice and inform managers of relevant adjustments and equipment required to maintain health and wellbeing at work.
• To work in partnership with patients to identify health hazards through the risk assessment process and to implement health surveillance programmes where appropriate. To provide managers with the outcomes from health surveillance.  To ensure patients are informed of the risk and hazards associated with their work activity. 
• Using the agreed Occupational Health procedures and guidance to undertake a risk assessment for staff who have sustained a blood or body fluid exposure incident and to advise on any appropriate course of treatment including the need for Post Exposure Prophylaxis. To inform staff of the source/recipient blood results and any implications to working practice.
• To undertake Management referrals, to provide a written report and advise managers of the appropriate recommendations and relevant equipment required by the individual to perform their job without risk to their health and well-being. To advise on more complex cases as required.
• To provide telephone advice to all patients on any Occupational Health concern, which may include pre-placement health issues, health capability to work, infection control and blood and body fluid exposure incidents. To advise on more complex issues as required.
• To identify patients that require a phased return to work and liaise with management in implementing specific programmes for an individual returning to work following a period of sickness absence. To formally advise managers on any work restrictions and adjustments that need to be considered and the approximate length of the phased return. To ensure the manager and client are supported through this process.
• To assess and refer patients to the relevant Counselling services and Physiotherapy assessment services. Where necessary to liaise with relevant health professionals and external health promotion agencies to support and advise the client on potential solutions to improve their health.
• To advise on more complex cases as required.
• To prioritise, plan and maintain own client caseload.
• To undertake health-screening tests, and to interpret the results in line with procedures and Occupational Health standards. To interpret and inform the manager of results in line with procedures and Occupational Health standards. To provide advice to managers on the results and the impact this may have on working practice 
• Ensure ongoing audit of service delivery and department processes is undertaken and to implement resulting changes to Occupational Health nursing practice alongside the Band 7 Occupational Health Nurse Manager in the development of auditing methods.
• To maintain confidentiality of client information at all times.