Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arose to join the Occupational Health and Wellbeing team Nursing team.



The post holder will work within the Occupational Health and Wellbeing Team, providing direct support to and working in collaboration with its assosciated functions to protect, promote and maintain the wellbeing of Gateshead Group Colleagues.



We are looking for a qualified nurse with extensive experience, who are a Specialist Practitioner in Occupational Health, to certificate, diploma, or degree level, or willing to work towards this, or demonstration of equivalent skills and knowledge.



Significant experience in Clinical History taking, excellent communication skills, and ideally with Occupational Health experience



Common duties associated with this role may include Work Health Assessments, Management Referral appointments, which require excellent clinical history taking, Health Surveillance, and risk assessment. In addition, the Occupational Health remit includes prevention of infection, vaccination programmes, blood borne virus screening and Management of Sharps injuries. Opportunities to develop wider Occupational Health Skills, with training and support.



Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.



Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.



We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.



Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.



We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.



The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.



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.