Occupational health nurse

Is occupational health nursing the right career for me?

To become an occupational health nurse you will need to be a registered adult, children’s, learning disabilities or mental health nurse.

Occupational health nurses need to be:

• Highly organised, flexible and able to prioritise effectively
• Accurate, with excellent attention to detail
• Good communicators with an ability to relate to people from a variety of backgrounds
• Assertive to ensure sure instructions on health and safety issues are carried out
• Able to promote health and wellbeing
• Confident and able to remain calm in an emergency

What does an occupational health nurse do?

Occupational health nurses are public health nurses who provide advice and support to employees, employers and managers. They specialise in the health and well-being of people at work.

The role varies depending on the needs of the employing organisation but may include:

• Workplace vaccinations
• Health screening
• Taking blood samples
• Advising on and promoting workplace health and wellbeing
• Assessing and managing workplace risks
• Advising on work placement adjustments for employees who require assistance
• Liaising with employees, managers and human resources to manage staff sickness
• Assisting organisations to develop policies and procedures to support employees

Where do occupational health nurses work?

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, occupational health nurses work in a variety of industries; including health, commerce and education. You could be employed as an independent practitioner within a smaller organisation or as part of an occupational health team within a larger organisation such as the NHS, local authority or a major retail chain.

Useful links:

• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
• The Association of Occupational Health and Wellbeing Professionals