Occupational Health Nurse Advisor (XR05)

NHS; Leeds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job description

Occupational Health Nurse Advisor (XR05)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, enthusiastic, motivated Registered Nurse (RN) to join our friendly team in the Occupational Health Service of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The post is based at St James University Hospital, Leeds, but does also involve cross site working to other hospitals within the Trust.

This role will include undertaking assessments for pre-employment, inoculation incident management, immunisations and venepuncture as well as supporting colleagues with contact tracing for IPC incidents.

Due to the variety of the work carried out here you would obtain extensive experience in all aspects of Occupational Health. You must be RN qualified ideally with NHS experience in Occupational Health.

This role requires a highly organised person with the ability to prioritise their workload, work in a calm and effective manner and communicate well at all levels. However, it is important that you have excellent verbal and written communication skills including confident use of IT systems.

All potential applicants are encouraged to contact Catherine Balcombe, Head of Occupational Health at [e-mail].

Main duties of the job

The postholder will undertake pre-employment / pre-placement paper screening (triaging) to meet individual needs in relation to their occupation. Involving assessment of the health questionnaires in order to either clear fit for the role or ascertain the type of further assessment required either telephone consultation or a face-to-face assessment & carry out these assessments providing specialist advice on fitness to work and adjustments required.

The postholder will provide specialist knowledge in delivering a safe and effective immunisation programme for the Trust and vaccinating during the seasonal flu programme and Covid vaccination campaigns, working within the boundaries of Department of Health Guidelines, The Green Book, Trust Policy and local protocols.

Carry out venepuncture ensuring correct completion of request forms and entry into patient electronic records.

Assessment and management of inoculation incidents requiring expert knowledge in order to ensure the best management in relation to the risk which includes administering HIV prophylactic treatment as necessary.

Supporting the IPC team with management of staff contact tracing following IPC incidents such as Measles etc.

About us

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

1. Accountable
2. Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values.

The Occupational Health Team currently comprises of two Consultants, an Occupational Therapist, a sessional Psychiatrist and a team of nurses together with a supportive administrative team. There is a robust health and wellbeing offer for staff including an EAP and physiotherapy service. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has a strong commitment to the Health and Wellbeing of our employees and as a member in a supportive team, you will be at the centre of improving the lives of our staff.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job responsibilities

JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Occupational Health Nurse Adviser

Reports to: Senior Nurse

Accountable to: Clinical Services Manager

Band: 5

Unit/Department: Occupational Health

Directorate: Corporate/Human resources

Location: Cross site

AfC Job No: 2980

2. JOB PURPOSE

• To work towards protecting, maintaining and promoting the health and wellbeing of Trust employees and others working or training on site.
• To provide and be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised programmes of care.
• To deliver care without supervision.
• To take charge of the service in the absence of Specialist Practitioners, Senior Nurse, Clinical Services Manager.
• To take responsibility as the prime carer, delivering care package, health and wellbeing needs for a group of employees, students.
• To promote confidence in our commitment to provide excellent compassionate care.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

• To work within a team of Occupational health professionals providing a high quality needs based service to host organisation and all contracted clients.
• The post holder will when required supervise more inexperienced members of staff.
• The nature of the job may require the post holder to travel off-site, often with equipment.
• Unlike ward based roles the OH service does not have a defined capacity such as numbers of beds therefore there is a requirement to be able to respond in a timely and effective manner to sudden increases in activity.
• A need to maintain confidentiality at all times.

4. ORGANISATIONAL CHART

Director of Nursing - Corporate

Clinical Services Manager

Senior Nurse

Nurse Advisers (this post)

6. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

1. Patient-centred
2. Collaborative
3. Fair
4. Accountable
5. Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values.

Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

The job holder will place a high value on the quality of service provided and will be flexible in their approach to hours and duties undertaken.

Commitment to maintain high standards of care in accordance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals guidelines and policies.

Commitment to own development and development of junior newly recruited staff.

Commitment to working in a multi-disciplinary team.

Commitment to support, uphold and demonstrate the core values and behaviours of LTHT.

Commitment to lifelong learning, to maintain personal development within the role. Commitment to the development of nursing within Occupational Health Service.

7. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

Ability to act professionally at all times.

Effective communication skills.

Effective numeracy skills e.g. drug calculations.

Ability to organise self and others.

Teaching and assessing skills.

Team player.

Effective time management skills.

8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

An understanding of research and evidence based practice.

An understanding of the organisation and working practices of the area.

An understanding of the process and philosophy of preceptorship.

An understanding of the training and development needs of junior staff and students.

An understanding of the principles of customer focused care.

An understanding of the role of Occupational Health within the workplace.

An understanding of Health & Safety legislation.

Following a preceptorship programme, orientation, induction, a structured appraisal will identify further development needs in line with the clinical area, personal and CSU objectives.

Development opportunities will include:

Opportunity to undertake Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (OH route) qualification.

Revision and expansion of professional knowledge base.

Revision and expansion of knowledge base with regards to speciality.

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical

Acts in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) code of conduct.

To fulfil the requirements as directed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council to maintain and revalidate registration.

Communicate with service users to ensure they have access to appropriate information.

Maintain and deliver compassionate patient, service user focused care in accordance with LTHT guidelines, policies, values and behaviours.

Maintain a safe working environment.

Provide assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care for service users ensuring documentation standards are upheld in accordance with NMC and LTHT guidelines whether written or computerised.

Promote and maintain positive relationships between all staff involved in service delivery.

Promote evidence based practice.

Participate in audit and evaluation of clinical practice in the interests of promoting and improving quality of care, service provision through action on findings.

Act in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times. Is familiar with and adheres to, the LTHT safeguarding policies.

Key duties and responsibilities specific to OH role:

Proven ability to maintain information in a confidential manner.

Comprehensive employment screening of new entrants assessing the suitability of individuals for potential employment in, or training for an identified role from the perspective of their physical and mental health.

Development of individual, employee OH programmes including immunisation and analysis of blood results with an appropriate plan of action.

Assess the needs of individuals following sharps/splash injuries and provide appropriate care and follow up.

Assess the needs of individuals with skin/glove problems and provide appropriate care and follow up.

Participate in health surveillance programmes and undertake clinical assessment of hearing, sight and lung function.

Ability to respond to and participate in the management of specific infectious outbreaks advising on exclusion and treatment when indicated. With more complex infections and multiple sources, this will be under the guidance of Specialist Practitioners liaising with the Senior Nurse as to allocation of tasks/duties.

Liaise effectively with other disciplines concerned with the Health and safety of staff and students and assist in developing constructive relationships within the Occupational Health Service and other departments within the Trust and other agencies.

Ensure that equipment is verified and medical, pharmaceutical supplies are ordered as necessary.

To work cross site routinely.

To undertake clinical work at external premises when required.

Education and Training

Contribute to the promotion of a positive clinical learning environment.

Keep up to date with developments, advances and researches in individualised care.

Participate in research and or education programmes relating to professional nursing issues and practice.

Undertake mandatory and priority training within the required time scales.

Participate in own and others annual appraisal.

Participate in preceptorship and mentorship programmes.

Participate in teaching, supervising and assessing of student nurses and other supervised staff where allocated.

Undertake continuous professional and clinical development, constantly seeking opportunities to enhance skills.

Managerial

Demonstrate effective use of resources.

In the absence of Senior Nurses (Specialist Practitioners, Senior Nurse, Clinical Services Manager) take charge of the service and coordinate department activities.

Take responsibility for the prime care provider for a group of patients, i.e healthcare workers including students.

When in charge of the service takes responsibility for reporting, investigating and responding to accidents, complaints, untoward incidents and other significant events.

Raise concerns with regards to risk, danger, malpractice or wrongdoing by following LTHT Whistleblowing policy and supportive processes.

Actively promote and use the Leeds Improvement method to improve the quality and safety of the service.

Health and Safety/Risk Management

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

Infection Control

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Adult Nurse
• Current registration with NMC
• Teaching qualification

Experience

• Ability to perform accurate drug calculations
• Competent in written and verbal communication skills
• Competent in the use of information technology
• Understand the skills and knowledge required to develop team members.
• Willing to undergo training as required for the role
• An understanding of the role of Occupational Health Standards of Professional Practice
• Experience of supervising more junior staff
• Basic understanding of Health and Safety legislation
• Skills in venepuncture and injections
• Committed to working with people

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.