Occupational Health

There are so many different industries and roles that OH work with which makes it a dynamic and interesting role with no two days the same. OH clinicians work for a single organisation or a private provider delivering to many organisations or for themselves.

Career progression in Occupational Health can include line management, strategic advisors, research and education. The sky's the limit with Occupational Health nurse consultants a possibility.

Most common tasks include -

- Considering the risks to health from work, e.g., Occupational Asthma from dust and fumes, noise-induced hearing loss or dermatitis.
- Reducing risk with vaccinations
- Assessing workers’ health for safety-critical tasks e.g. driving, working at heights, confined spaces etc. is an important task in reducing the risk to them and others
- Supporting people to remain in or return to work with health conditions, matched to the demands of the job
- Health promotion and education

Most roles are 9 to 5 although some may require flexibility in shifts. Travel to different sites is fairly common, as is home working depending on the employer.

What are the entry requirements for a career Occupational Health?

Many people enter Occupational Health as a trainee OH nurse advisor or as an OH practice nurse undertaking immunisations or health checks (health checks). However, there are other routes as well. Knowing your transferable skills e.g., communication, customer service, flexibility, problem-solving and critical thinking to name a few is useful.

There aren’t any specific skills but immunisation, phlebotomy, spirometry, health education etc. can help you obtain certain roles. Being curious is an essential trait along with good reflection, dealing with customers, and being happy to continually learn.

Some people undertake an Occupational Health qualification such as the Diploma in Occupational Health Practice or a SCPHN (Specialist Community Public Health Nurse)- OH course before starting as that may help with obtaining job opportunities, however, this isn’t essential.

“I heartily recommend getting into Occupational Health as a profession; there’s not enough of us and there will always be work! The variety of work related to OH is vast, and you’re sure to find your passion.”

Libby Morley - Independent OH Nurse Advisor, author and company owner, Mindshift RGN, Dip OH, MSc Workplace health and wellbeing

What are the roles and responsibilities of Occupational Health professionals?

The roles and responsibilities vary according to the employer and the level the nurse works at which can vary. Vaccinations and phlebotomy are commonly required, especially in the NHS, but not essential. If needed, they can be learnt on the job alongside theoretical training. Travel Health is sometimes required although that requires specialist training which the employer often funds.

Lung function testing, audiometry, vision screening, height, weight and BMI plus being able to screen a health questionnaire for fitness to work are skills that are taught to those who aren’t already competent.

Alongside this is a need to understand the relevant legislation which is taught or can be self-learned. Being able to assess people for fitness to work and for adjustments to help them in work is a common requirement. However, this again is taught specifically by each employer or/and some courses can be obtained.

Health promotion events and assessments are part of the OH role, i.e. educating people on healthy living and good mental health.

“My role as an Occupational Health Nurse Advisor within construction varies daily, which is why I love doing what I do.”

Michelle Aroloye, RGN, SCPHN – HV, BSc Occupational Health RGU - OH Nurse Advisor and team leader

What career development opportunities are there in Occupational Health?

The career development opportunities often depend on the type of organisation. However, commonly clinicians work as practitioners and then become senior practitioners, sometimes called advisors followed by team leaders, managers, and department managers, all the way up to consultants.

Qualifying in OH is a great benefit and most nurses go on to do this, either a postgraduate degree or master's degree, although the foundation qualification is a simple diploma.

There is a great guide to OH qualifications and titles here.

Advanced practice in OH is becoming more popular with people sometimes specialising in a particular area of OH for example immunisations, travel, sickness absence or industries such as rail, construction, retail etc.

Some OH clinicians go into research or teaching /education and some into strategy for example supporting organisations to consider the health of their workforce. OH is very varied as every organisation is different, every job has its demands, and many conditions can be caused by work and many conditions people have that can impact their ability to work. Some OH nurses specialise in a particular area of health for example neurodiversity, mental health, women’s health, ergonomics and work and others remain general. Some move into health and safety, law or occupational psychology, and even HR. The possibilities are endless.

FOHN have a good guide to career progression here.

Having a strong portfolio and personal development plan is very helpful, starting with the basics such as legislation, ethics and risks. This is a useful recorded webinar on developing leadership opportunities.

“As a midwife, I had a few friends and colleagues who had been through OH for pregnancy-related matters which led me to think that Occupational Health Nursing was an area where many of my skills were transferable. I have now been working in OH for 18 years, have been promoted to a management role and still enjoy each day.”

Denise Pywell, RGN, RM, SCPHN-OH - Deputy Clinical Lead Lincoln NHS Trust OH department

What are the job opportunities in the UK like now in Occupational Health?

Job opportunities can be varied and surface in both the private and the public sectors. Often people enter OH as a trainee, a screening nurse or an immunisation nurse.

The OH workforce is ageing, yet the need for OH clinicians is growing. The government and organisations i.e. employers are increasingly seeing the value of OH in helping people to remain in work and remain well in work.

This means the need for OH nurses, who make up the bulk of the profession, are in demand.

There are occupational health nurse jobs available here on Nurses.co.uk. You can also find occupational health jobs, generally, on this site too.

There are also many specialist OH recruiters who will go the extra mile to secure you a role. However, it is important to prepare for a role in OH.

Make sure you do your homework on the organisation and Occupational Health as a career. Employers need to see passion, drive, customer service and a willingness to learn. It is helpful to see if you can shadow or spend a placement day or more within an OH department to see what it is like.

Being willing to train and do extra courses is essential. If you are interested in a career in OH, consider using the mentor scheme where mentors will help to prepare you.

Have a read of these blogs

- My career journey - becoming an Occupational Health Nurse The Society of Occupational Medicine

- A Career in Occupational Health, a Nurse's Perspective The Society of Occupational Medicine

What do Occupational Health professionals get paid hourly and annual salary?

Salaries vary according to your employer. NHS OH clinicians usually start on band 5 and move up the bandings with experience and qualifications.

Find out what the NHS pay bandings are here.

Private providers and private organisations pay varying rates, usually starting from £32,000 or more, depending on previous experience and transferable skills.

It is important to look at the package and not just the salary. This will include pension, holiday days, private medical care or cash for health schemes, life insurance. Other benefits could include a car allowance or company car, standard working hours, overtime etc.

Salaries increase according to seniority as you would expect with no specific ceiling. Some nurses are working at band 8b and in the private sector, this could be higher.

Many OH nurses own their own companies or are self-employed and therefore, although this comes with risks, earnings could potentially be higher.

What specialisations are there in Occupational Health careers?

OH can be in any field and any specialisation. Many nurses move industries during their career but some stay and become extremely expert. Industries can include:

- NHS
- Rail
- Oil and Gas
- Construction
- Police
- Councils
- Retail
- Corporate sector (e.g. banking)
- Government departments including Ministry of Justice
- Military
- Fire and rescue
- Aviation
- Manufacturing

OH clinicians can also specialise in:

- Mental health
- Ergonomics
- Neurodiversity
- Chronic long-term conditions
- Health risks such as audiometry, respiratory, dermatology, Hand-arm vibration, safety-critical tasks such as driving, working at heights or confined space
- Health promotion/public health
- Immunisations
- Travel Health
- Occupational Hygiene
- Sickness absence management
- Data protection
- Writing and speaking about OH
- Education/mentoring
- Research and academia

“It is a cliché, isn't it? ‘Find something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life@ ...however, this is how I feel about my job and profession. No two days are ever the same, there is so much variation in the work we do. I can be on a building site one-day delivering health surveillance, followed by flu jabs in a school the next.”

Pippa Crouch - OH Nurse Advisor and Business owner - RGN SCPHN-OH, Masters Medical ethics and Law

What are the big employers of Occupational Health professionals?

The main employers are the NHS, Occupational Health providers such as Optima, PAM, Medigold, Health Partners plus the NHS, network rail and many different companies. The mentoring scheme has a guide to OH jobs within the resources.

Most important is to understand how to write a CV for an OH job and how to prepare for an OH competency-based interview. Understanding your transferable skills is essential.

All of this can be found on the mentoring scheme website. Having a mentor will be invaluable to preparing for a role in OH. There are free short courses that can support a better understanding of OH. Again the links to these can be found within the mentoring scheme.