Occupational Health Senior Advisor

NHS; Stockport; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job description

Job summary

The advertised Occupational Health Senior Advisor role would be ideal for a staff member with professional registration - nurse, physio, OT. The role will involve cross site working on both the TGH and SNHSFT site.

The post holder will work closely with the Consultant in Occupational Medicine, Nurse Manager and nursing team in the provision of a comprehensive effective occupational health service to SNHSFT / TGH and to external clients/contracts aimed at protecting, promoting and maintaining the physical and mental well-being of all employees, maintaining and developing the service and quality standard in accordance with relevant and national guidelines.

Our employees and contracts are widespread throughout the area, so a current full driving licence/ability to travel is required.

Main duties of the job

• To assist in the provision of a comprehensive occupational health service aimed at protecting, promoting and maintaining the physical and mental well-being of all employees.
• To assist in the assessment of care needs development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care.
• This will include assessing employees at the written request of managers, frequently dealing with information of a confidential nature in accordance with Occupational Health policy.
• Carry out Work health assessments of prospective employees to ascertain their fitness for work and also to identify higher risk individuals and those who will be working with occupational hazards.
• Other duties include assisting in immunisation programmes for staff in accordance with the Patient Group Directives/Written instructions and Occupational Health policies, management of sickness absence referrals, carrying out drug and alcohol testing.
• To maintain a professional and safe standard of occupational health practice.
• To assist lead nurses provide a programme of effective Occupational Health Care for all the Trust employees/outside industries; a flexible approach to working is essential.
• The post holder will establish good working relationships with all staff in the centre, assisting the lead nurse in development, management & implementation of the Occupational Health Services.
• Supporting, training/educating and assisting in leading/managing junior staff & acting in the lead nurse's role during their absence.

About us

We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.

If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.

We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.

Benefits we offer to you:

• Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• NHS pension scheme membership.
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further.
• NHS Staff discounts.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt.
• Stockport Credit Union - for local financial advice.

Date posted: 26 March 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 a year pro rata per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: C9362-25-0271

Job locations: Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, SK2 7JE

Job description Job responsibilities

• Communicate effectively with colleagues within the Occupational Health team (nursing colleagues, medical and administrative staff), with key people within the Trust and externally where necessary to ensure good Occupational Health nursing care of clients, external agencies, patients/clients, with key people (Managers, HR etc).
• Maintaining key working relationships with senior managers, HR, infection prevention, other specialists etc both internal or external to the Trust to ensure a high standard of occupational health for staff at all times.
• Provide advice and information on health and occupational health matters to individual workers and management. This will include assessing employees at the written request of managers, frequently dealing with information of a confidential nature in accordance with Occupational Health policy.
• Communicate clearly & concisely verbally, in writing (i.e. reports), giving presentations or facilitating training courses.
• Communication includes information, which is confidential, sensitive and complex. It relates to clients of the Occupational Health service/service users and to junior staff i.e. when managing poor performance.
• Participate in meetings such as the variety of infection prevention meetings and meetings with managers as required.
• The post holder needs excellent communication skills in order to liaise with managers at all levels and ensure effective communication with clients, for example managing confrontational situations and providing supportive/non-directive counselling for those under stress, where appropriate, and in accordance with own level of expertise.
• Liaising with Infection Prevention, Risk Managers, Managers and other specialists, where necessary.
• The Occupational Health Senior Advisor is a member of the Occupational Health team, working with the Director and senior/junior nurses to provide a programme of effective occupational health care for all Trust employees and personnel covered by contracts with external organisations. Our employees and contracts are widespread throughout the area, so a current full driving licence/ability to travel is required.
• Carry out Work health assessments of prospective employees to ascertain their fitness for work and also to identify higher risk individuals and those who will be working with occupational hazards.
• Assist with the planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for individuals and for higher risk groups in accordance with policies and individual needs. Undertake health surveillance and immunisation programmes according to identified needs. Advising junior staff regarding management of care.
• Other duties include: assisting in immunisation programmes for staff in accordance with the Patient Group Directives/Written Instructions and Occupational Health policies, management of sickness absence referrals, assisting with resuscitation, pending medical aid, administering medication to individual need within the boundaries set in the Patient Group Directives/Written Instructions by the Director, carrying out venepuncture as required, carrying out alcohol and drug testing, blood borne virus testing.
• Maintaining a high standard of recording of assessments and treatments and outcomes of health supervision programmes in complete confidence.
• Participating in maintaining accurate departmental manual and computerised records.
• Referring clients, where appropriate to the Occupational Physicians, General Practitioner, Physiotherapy, etc. Giving and receiving of reports and writing letters of referral, where appropriate.
• Respond promptly to infection alerts amongst staff. Co-operating with Infection Prevention during an outbreak.
• Carry out primary treatment of minor ailments at work. Co-operate with other designated persons in ensuring adequate aid in cases of injury and illness arising at work. Provide follow-up care after accidents where appropriate, e.g. accidental inoculation injuries.
• Undertake regular environmental visits to work areas in order to build and maintain knowledge of various occupations, processes, machinery, equipment and substances in use.
• Co-operate with the Managers of all departments in the study of the working environment and its effects on health.
• Assist patients/service users/carers/relatives during incidental contacts.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trust's policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.

If successful, this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £54.50. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary.

In addition to this, it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £16.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

• Current Registration with NMC as Registered General Nurse (Adult) or other professional body.
• Teaching/Mentor qualification.

Desirable

• Specialist Nurse Practitioner In Occupational Health demonstrated by OH Diploma or Degree.

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of knowledge of Occupational Health.

Desirable

• Knowledge of current guidelines/legislation underpinning WHA, health surveillance case management.

Experience

Essential

• Significant post registration experience.
• Communicate with managers at all levels.
• Leading/managing projects.

Desirable

• Health surveillance (audiometry/spirometry/HAV).
• Sickness absence management.
• NHS experience.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Evidence of undertaking audits.
• Shows commitment, organisational, planning & prioritisation skills.
• Evidence of ability to manage many competing demands.

Work Related Circumstances

Essential

• Self reliant but knows own limits.
• Adaptable to different people, situations and environments.
• Driving ability or use of other forms of transport.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name: Stockport NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, SK2 7JE

Employer's website: http://www.stockport.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)