OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OCCUPATIONAL

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSE (OHN)

Aim of the roles of OHN • • To promote health at work To protect the health of the worker Care for work-related injuries and illness Committed to client’s wellness which involves - health promotion - disease and injury prevention - health education - care and safety management

Factors determining OHN’s scope of practice • • • The no. of workforce Types of products and processes Chemicals used Machinery used Management philosophy

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12 main functions specific to occupational health nursing • • • health supervision of workers health surveillance of the work environment accident prevention of occupational ill health treatment of illness and injury at work

Cont… • • first aid course promotion of health and prevention of ill health giving counselling rehabilitation and resettlement into work; records and reports

Cont… • liaison and co-operation (internally and externally) • administration of the health unit • research (including surveys) Dorward (1993 cited by Oakley)

Definition of Role The position of a person in a particular situation and the degree to which they are involved it it or the duty they are expected to perform. (Cambridge International Dictionary 1995)

5 Major Roles of the OHN • • • Clinician/Practitioner Administrator Educator Researcher Consultant

Clinician/Practitioner 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Assess work environment Assess workers health status Perform health surveillance Provide direct nursing care Conduct health education and counselling Collaborate, communicate and consult with Occ. Safety & Health (OSH) team 7. Maintain accurate, concise and complete records

Cont. . 8. Develop and implement programs to correct health and safety hazards 9. Institute personal protective programs 10. Initiate referrals to hospitals and clinics 11. Conduct health screening programs 12. Conduct health training programs 13. Manage workers compensation claims

Cont… 14. Maintain professionalism and ethical conduct 15. Adhere to legal requirements in exercising duites

Administrator 1. Maintain awareness of technology, legal & professional changes associated with OH and Safety 2. Coordinates in professional growth & education opportunities for staff 3. Formulates policies for OH and Safety 4. Develops, implements and evaluates OH service

Educator 1. Provide education programs to employers & employees 2. Promotes integration of OHN practice into nursing education 3. Utilise experts in OHS in planning & coordinating relevant education programs 4. Collaborates with other OHN regarding practice issues & students practical sites 5. Serves as a role model and preceptor for the students

Researcher 1. Participates in the development & implementation of research 2. Disseminates research findings to others through presentation, publication & practice 3. Incorporates research results into own practice 4. Collaborates with other members of OH team in developing & conducting research

Consultant 1. Offer advise to the patient regarding the future treatment, or preventative measures to be taken at work when it is appropriate. 2. Offer advice to management regarding the health of the worker as it may be affected by the processes or the substances used in them, where she/he considers such advice to be necessary

Specific Roles of the OHN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Advisor Counselor Educator Environmentalist Hygienist Interpreter 7. Leader 8. Rehabilitator 9. Researcher 10. Safety expert 11. Supervisor 12. Student Harrison (1984)

Conclusion It is important for the OHN to provide health care with accountability, respect for human dignity and self-worth and to consider the ethical, spiritual, cultural and corporate sensitivities.

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