Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Occupational health nurses provide their services to any number of settings, including business, industry, schools, and clinics, and hospitals, just to name a few. Occupational health nurses protect and promote the health of people at work. The goal of an OHN is to lessen sick or injured patients in the workplace. Advanced community health nurses can also find opportunities in higher education or clinical research. Employers attempt to reduce these costs by implementing workplace health and safety programs. An occupational health nurse is a registered medical professional who treats work-related injuries and health problems. Promote an interdisciplinary approach to health care and advocate for the employee’s right to prevention-oriented, cost-effective health and safety programs. 2. Definition • the placing and maintenance of the worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and psychological equipment, and, • to summarize, the adaptation of work to man and of each man to his job. Using their specialized experience and education, these registered nurses recognize and prevent health effects from hazardous exposures and treat workers' injuries/illnesses. According to the most recent figures from the American Board of Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN), as of 2013, there were 22,000 nurses employed in the occupational health specialty. Since the modern day era required more of the preventive rather than the curative, it resulted in the up rise demand of occupational nurses to assess risk and identify hazards that may pos… Typically, nurses entering the field have a baccalaureate degree in nursing and experience in community health, ambulatory care, critical care or emergency nursing. An Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner, or OHNP, specializes in health and safety in corporate, industrial, governmental, and academic settings. Therefore, the roles of occupational health nurses range from clinician and case manager to consultant, program evaluator, and health educator, among others. If you’re experiencing ill health, nursing an injury or struggling with difficulties at home, your employer’s occupational health provider can support you. The practice focuses on promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury, and protection from work-related and environmental hazards. They are at the frontline in helping to protect and promote the health of working populations. The Occupational Health Nurse, as part of the occupational healthcare team, is therefore found in work environments that subscribe to the above objectives. http://www.nurseone.ca/docs/NurseOne/Certification/Occupational_Health_Exam_Blueprint_Specialty_Competencies_2013_e.pdf. However, an occupational safety and health agenda for agriculture is lacking. Use Occupational Health Nurses to network with each … The job duties of an occupational health nurse may include: Developing and implementing health and safety programs Developing disease prevention programs, such as smoking cessation, exercise, and healthy eating programs Documenting all employee injuries and illnesses within the workplace To meet those needs, occupational health nurses: (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Occupational health nurses work in manufacturing and production facilities, hospitals and medical centers as well as in other employment sectors, including government. Corporate nursing – most often called Occupational Nursing; School nursing; Pharmaceutical nursing; Community health nurses might focus on a particular aspect of health care like HIV/AIDS or mental health treatment. Provide education programs to employers and employees, involved in workplace health promotion, support activities aimed at adoption of healthy lifestyles, participate in health and safety activities (Alleyne & Bonner, 2009; WHO, 2001). Abstract Points brought out in this brief overview of the role of the occupational health nurse include the note that the nurse is often the essential coordinator of the plant's safety and health program in all except job title. Workplace activities might include health and wellness, case management, ergonomics, workplace safety, infection control, disaster preparedness and others such as travel health. Coordinating the delivery of equitable, comprehensive, quality occupational health services to individuals and groups in the work environment are the primary roles of these nurses (COHNA, 2013). Occupational health nurses must be licensed to practice in the states in which they are employed. Many occupational health nurses have obtained master’s degrees in areas such as public health, advanced practice or business, to name a few examples, to continue to build their professional competencies. They have direct contact with employees and are often approached with health-related questions and problems. The Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health,1950 • 4 5. Work-related illnesses and injuries cost employers approximately $1 billion per week in workers' compensation costs, according to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration. These nurses are knowledgeable about hazards and expert in preventing and minimizing the threats to health and safety. Occupational health nurses are the key to coordinating a holistic, multidisciplinary program. What is an Occupational Health Nurse? In order to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, occupational health nurses assess workplaces in an effort to identify possible hazards. Occupational health nurses fill a variety of roles in their jobs, including clinicians, case managers, educators, directors and consultants. American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. Occupational health nurses work with employers and employees to identify health and safety needs in the workplace. Occupational health nurses are in charge of safeguarding public health in the workplace setting. … In order to obtain such a … Occupational health nursing is an important niche and works to protect and promote the wellbeing of the community and workforce (Saldana et al., 2019). There is a national shortage of nurses in general related to the Baby Boomer population entering retirement, and the increased health needs of the growing aging population Depending on the role that is chosen (Employee Health within an organization or working in industry) will depend on the tasks that will be deemed necessary to deliver. As a healthcare professional, you care about the health and safety of others. National Resources for Health Career Education, State Resources for Health Career Education, Certification in occupational health nursing, The Career Guide to Occupational Health Nursing, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. promotion of health and work ability, by focusing on non-occupational, workplace preventable … 3. Occupational health nurses play a critical role in these efforts. Workplace activities might include health and wellness, case management, ergonomics, workplace safety, infection control, disaster preparedness and others such as travel health. Certification in occupational health nursing is available through The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. To become a certified occupational health nurse, you must be a registered nurse (RN) with an appropriate degree in nursing, have worked as an RN within the field of occupational health for at least 3,000 hours within the previous five years (or have participated in an occupational health nurse certificate program or graduate level education in occupational health) and pass a certification examination. Conduct research on the effects of workplace exposures, gathering health and hazard data. They have a number of responsibilities, which encompass establishing a healthy workforce and the treatment, prevention and education of workplace injuries. Occupational Health is a specialty within nursing that cares for our own employees, employers within the communities, insurance companies, and community health needs. Encourage workers to take responsibility for their own health through health education and disease management programs, such as smoking cessation, exercise/fitness, nutrition and weight control, stress management, control of chronic illnesses and effective use of medical services. Occupational health nurses, working independently or as part of a larger multiprofessional team, are at the frontline in helping to protect and promote the health of working populations. The practice focuses on promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury, and protection from work-related and environmental hazards. Education requirements to be an Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner are as follows: Master's degree in nursing (MSN) The OHN’s responsibilities have expanded immensely to encompass not only the responsibilities previously stated but also a wide range of job duties, including but not limited to:Case management: OHNs routinely coordinate and manage the care of ill and injured workers. According to the 2013 American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Compensation & Benefits Study, the average salary is $82,070. OHN are employed to promote health, prevent diseases and ensure safety and health of employees. Nurses might also look to gain a certificate in health and safety, like the NEBOSH general certificate. Turn that passion into a career that returns employees to their homes and families better than when they arrived at work. The foundation of occupational health nursing is epidemiology, work advocacy, occupational health risk assessment, critical thinking, and educational principals. Modern roles of OHNs are as diverse as clinicians to educators, case managers to corporate directors and consultants. He or she may provide health care services to workers in various occupations, including factory personnel, miners, construction workers and office staff. Occupational health nurses serve as case managers in the workplace, directing primary and specialty care for injured or ill employees. Occupational health nurses, as the largest single group of health professionals involved in delivering health services at the workplace, have important role to play in the workplace health management. As an occupational and environmental health nurse, you’ll deliver health and safety programs and services to workers, worker populations and community groups. 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