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Occupational Health Nurse(specialism of Nurse)

Do you want to become a Occupational Health Nurse(specialism of Nurse)? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Occupational health nurses promote people's health and well-being in the workplace. They usually work within an organisation, advising managers and employees.

Their tasks might include:

• healthcare - for example, providing first aid and medical treatment
• health promotion - carrying out health screening, and advising or training people on issues such as healthy eating and stress management
• health and safety - assessing safety risks in the workplace, offering advice and keeping records of accidents
• managing emergency plans - for example, procedures to be followed in case of a major chemical spillage
• helping employees who are recovering from illness or injury to return to work
• developing policies for the employer on any of the above.

Depending on the size of the employer, nurses may work alone or as part of a team.

Many occupational health nurses work normal office hours. Some may work shifts, including some weekends and nights. They usually work in a clean, bright occupational health room, but will also visit other parts of the work environment.

Salaries range from around £18,114 a year for a newly-qualified nurse, to £41,242 for the most senior occupational health nurses.

Besides general nursing skills, an occupational health nurse must have:

• an ability to relate to all kinds of people
• a flair for teaching and motivating people
• the authority to ensure health and safety rules are followed
• the ability to spot risks.

Occupational health nurses are employed by large organisations in every field, including office complexes, factories, universities and colleges, department stores and hospitals. Some work for private consultancies which are called in to advise employers.

Occupational health nurses are qualified registered nurses in the adult branch, usually with at least two years' post-registration experience. For more general information about becoming a nurse, see Nurse.

Training is by undertaking a specialist occupational health course. Courses last around 32 weeks full time, or two years part time. Students learn through a combination of classroom and workplace experience.

It is possible to progress to manage other occupational health staff, or to run an occupational health centre. Occupational health nurses may also go into health service management or nurse training.