Posted: October 29th, 2023

Occupational Health nursing

The goal of occupational health nursing is to promote and preserve the well-being, safety, and health of workers in a variety of jobs and industries. There are services offered by occupational health nurses. These are; assessment of workplace hazards, health screenings, promotion of healthy lifestyles, management of occupational injuries and illnesses, and training and education on workplace health and safety. They work closely with employers, workers, and other healthcare experts to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. Moreover, these experts are essential in avoiding and controlling occupational health problems.

Occupational Health Nursing Job Description

When it comes to promoting and sustaining the health and wellbeing of workers in the workplace, occupational health nurses are an essential resource. A typical list of an occupational health nurse’s main duties is as follows:

Health Promotion and Education: Creating and implementing projects and programs for health promotion to improve employee wellbeing and stop work-related illnesses and accidents. delivering instruction on subjects including disease prevention, selecting a healthy lifestyle, and using suitable ergonomics.

Assessment of employee health to find any potential dangers or hazards to their occupational health is known as an occupational health assessment. To ensure adherence to health and safety requirements, this entails reviewing medical histories, conducting physical exams, and analyzing working conditions.

Management of Injury and Illness: Immediate medical attention and treatment for diseases or injuries sustained at work. 

Nursing Considerations

Collaborating with healthcare specialists to create treatment programs that are suitable, track patients’ rehabilitation, and make it easier for workers to get back to work.

Implementing and overseeing health surveillance programs to keep an eye on and track the health of workers exposed to particular occupational dangers. This may entail performing routine medical exams, health screenings, and monitoring dangerous material exposure levels.

Managing and coordinating cases including occupational illnesses, disabilities, and injuries is referred to as case management and rehabilitation. The coordination of suitable medical care, rehabilitation initiatives, and employment adjustments with healthcare providers, insurance, and employers.

Workplace Safety and Compliance: Identifying and reducing workplace dangers in conjunction with occupational health and safety teams. Ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local rules on workplace health and safety. 

Taking part in workplace investigations and inspections to find potential dangers and suggest controls.

Employee Assistance and Counseling: Offering employees private counseling and support services on a range of health-related topics, such as managing stress, mental health, and drug usage.

Maintaining accurate and private health data for employees, including their medical history, evaluations, treatment plans, and exposures at work. Observing the rules set forth by law and morality on privacy and data protection.

In general, occupational health nurses concentrate on encouraging a healthy and secure workplace. They also prevent job-related diseases and injuries, and making sure that employees’ healthcare is managed effectively and on time.

What is Occupational Health Nursing?

The goal of occupational health nursing is to promote and maintain the well-being, security, and health of workers in a variety of occupational contexts. In order to evaluate and manage workplace hazards, prevent job-related diseases and injuries, and promote healthy work environments, occupational health nurses collaborate with managers, staff members, and other healthcare professionals.

They may be in charge of managing occupational health programs, conducting health assessments and screenings, delivering health education and training, assisting with the management of injuries and illnesses, and easing the process of returning sick or wounded personnel to work.

In addition to fighting for the rights and interests of employees, occupational health nurses play a critical role in supporting workplace safety and health rules and policies.

In general, occupational health nursing seeks to protect employees from health risks associated with their jobs and to enable them to carry out their activities in a secure and efficient manner.

Occupational Health Nursing Jobs

The duties of occupational health nurses include promoting workplace safety and providing medical treatment. Here are some possible job duties and jobs in this industry:

Nurses who specialize in occupational health examine and manage risks to workers’ health, injuries, and illnesses. They carry out health exams, create initiatives for wellness, and impart information on workplace security.

Coordinator for Workplace Health and Safety: In this position, nurses work with management and staff to create and enforce safety procedures and regulations. Finally, they carry out risk analyses, look into workplace mishaps, and make suggestions for enhancing health and safety conditions.

OHN Employment

Nurses working as employee wellness coordinators promote wellness and preventive care among workers. 

They create and manage wellness initiatives, carry out health evaluations, and offer advice on leading healthy lives.

Project Manager: Occupational health nurses may coordinate care for sick or injured personnel in their capacity as case managers. To ensure proper care, enable return-to-work plans, and track progress, they communicate with medical professionals, insurance providers, and employers.

Industrial hygiene nurses are experts at identifying and minimizing risks associated with ergonomics, noise, and chemical exposure in the workplace. They carry out environmental monitoring, offer instruction on appropriate safety precautions, and work with management to reduce hazards.

Nurses with occupational health knowledge could be employed as consultants, providing their services to a variety of businesses. They carry out audits, create policies, impart training, and offer advice on observing occupational health and safety laws.

These are only a few instances of the numerous responsibilities that occupational health nursing offers. Occupational health experience, applicable certificates, and a nursing degree are often necessary qualities for these positions. In addition to this, job requirements can differ based on the organization and industry.

Occupational Health Nursing Certificate Programs

If you’re interested in focusing in occupational health nursing, there are a number of certificate programs available. Typically, the goal of these programs is to give nurses the knowledge and abilities needed to maintain and improve the well-being and security of workers in a variety of occupational contexts.

A few instances of occupational health nursing certificate programs are provided below:

Occupational Health Nurses American Board (ABOHN): ABOHN provides occupational health nurses with a certification program. To become a certified occupational health nurse (COHN), there are both school requirements and an exam. In the industry, COHN accreditation is highly regarded.

Nurses working in the healthcare sector can earn a certification through the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP). 

The training focuses on the particular occupational health issues that healthcare personnel must deal with.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): NIOSH offers occupational health nurses a variety of instructional materials and training programs. These show address a range of subjects, including job dangers, accident prevention, and wellness promotion.

University-based Programs: A lot of universities and colleges offering occupational health nursing credential programs. Moreover, these courses are frequently created for registered nurses who want to focus on occupational health. The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Alabama in Birmingham are two examples.

When thinking about a certificate program, it’s crucial to be sure it’s certified, fits your unique educational and career goals, and complies with industry standards like those of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. 

Bonnie Rogers Occupational Health Nursing

A well-known name in occupational health nursing is Bonnie Rogers. She is a nurse and a specialist in occupational health, with a focus on how nursing and workplace safety interact. Her work focuses on improving employee health and wellbeing, reducing occupational diseases and injuries, and providing high-quality healthcare in the workplace. Rogers has made important contributions to occupational health nursing research, instruction, and practice, and her knowledge in the area has influenced standards and regulations.

Occupational Health Nursing Conferences

Here are some conferences that occupational health nurses frequently attend:

• The Occupational Health Nurses American Association (AAOHN) Conference National Conference of the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP)
• Annual Conference of the National Association of Occupational Health Professionals
• Occupational Health Nursing Conference of the International Council of Nurses (ICN)
• Conference of the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology (EA-OHP)
• Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational Medicine (AFOEM)

Please be aware that conference schedules can change from year to year; therefore, for the most recent information on upcoming conferences, it is advisable to visit the websites of the relevant organizations.

Occupational Nurse Salary

Occupational health nurses may earn more or less money based on their experience, region, as well as employer. These nurses typically make a competitive wage, furthermore  The typical yearly wage for occupational health nurses in the United States, cutoff in 2021, ranged from $64,000 to $96,000, with the average salary being around $75,000. To get the most recent and precise data, it is advised to refer to current sources or wage surveys, but it is vital to keep in mind that these numbers can vary over time.

The AAOHN Core Curriculum for Occupational Nursing

A comprehensive educational framework created to direct and standardize the training of occupational health nurses is the AAOHN Core Curriculum for Occupational Health Nursing. It offers a detailed breakdown of the fundamental information and abilities needed for occupational health nursing practice. Among the topics covered by the curriculum are workplace risks and hazards. This is in addition to prevention and promotion of health, case management, legal and ethical issues, and research and professional growth. Occupational health nurses can develop the skills they need to provide high-quality care. This is in addition to advance the health and safety of workers in a variety of occupational settings by following the AAONH Core Curriculum.