Occupational Health Screening Nurse/Trainee OHA

Job Title Occupational Health Screening Nurse Salary Range Range 5 Depot / Department Safety Section / Team Occupational health Reports to (job title) Lead Occupational Health Advisor Direct reports (job title(s) Occupational Health Technician Overall, Purpose of job. The purpose of the Occupational Health Screening Nurse role is to deliver occupational health screening and defined health surveillance activities for the business.

Complete assessments only after suitable training and competency sign-off, follow approved clinical protocols, maintain accurate and confidential records, and promptly refer findings that are outside the role’s scope to an Occupational Health Adviser (OHA), Occupational Health Physician (OHP) or other appropriate clinician.

The role may include an optional development pathway into occupational health practice. Any progression, study support, protected learning time and changes to duties must be agreed through the business’s recruitment, workforce and professional governance processes. The key responsibilities of the job are: Screening and health surveillance Delivery of health surveillance activities within training, competence and written protocols.

Complete relevant elements of baseline, pre-placement and periodic assessments, including taking a structured health history and carrying out tests for which the postholder is trained and signed off. Prepare equipment and clinic areas, check consumables and follow infection prevention, equipment and quality-control procedures.

Explain the purpose and steps of an assessment in clear, respectful language and support informed participation. Recognise incomplete, abnormal or unexpected findings and arrange timely review by the appropriate clinician. Safety-critical and pre-employment assessments Gather and record information required for approved safety-critical medical and pre-employment pathways.

Use agreed questions and assessment tools consistently and identify information that requires clinical interpretation or further investigation. Escalate potential health concerns, restrictions, adjustments or role incompatibilities to an OHA or OHP for a clinical opinion. Provide only the outcome or information authorised for the screening nurse role; do not make independent fitness-for-work decisions.

Respiratory protection and face fit testing Carry out quantitative face fit testing only after training and competency sign-off, following the approved method and equipment instructions. Check that required pre-test conditions are met, explain the test, record the result and provide the approved outcome information. Escalate failed or inconclusive tests, health concerns, facial hair or other factors that may affect safe RPE use in line with the agreed pathway.

Maintain test equipment, cleaning, calibration and records in accordance with local procedures. Drug and alcohol testing Undertake drug and alcohol testing when trained and authorised, following the business policy, consent process, chain-of-custody requirements and test instructions. Protect privacy and dignity, maintain sample integrity and document each required step accurately.

Escalate refusals, non-negative results, process concerns or unexpected events through the approved pathway; do not interpret or communicate laboratory findings beyond authority. Records, confidentiality and information governance Create timely, factual and complete records in the approved occupational health system. Use personal and clinical information only for an authorised occupational health purpose and share the minimum necessary information with approved recipients.

Follow confidentiality, data protection, retention, access control and information-security procedures; report any suspected information incident promptly. Keep training, competency and equipment records current and support audit or quality reviews when requested. Service delivery and health promotion Help coordinate appointments, recalls and follow-up actions so employees receive a timely and consistent service.

Provide approved health information and signposting within role competence; refer requests for advice or clinical interpretation to an OHA or OHP. Work respectfully with employees, managers and colleagues while maintaining occupational health confidentiality and professional boundaries. Contribute practical suggestions that improve clinic flow, accessibility, quality and employee experience.

Optional professional development Complete the agreed occupational health induction, mandatory learning and competency program for the screening nurse role. Where agreed, work towards eligibility for an approved SCPHN Occupational Health program and develop relevant evidence under supervision. After successful completion of the SCPHN Occupational Health qualification and relevant NMC registration, undertake an 18-month supported consolidation period as a Newly Qualified OHA, with a supervised and gradually increasing scope of practice.

The development route is optional and is not an automatic promotion, course place or change of professional title; decisions depend on eligibility, performance, funding, service need and formal approval. Teamwork and professional practice Work collaboratively with OHAs, OHPs, Occupational Health Technicians, administrators and operational colleagues.

Maintain professional registration and practice in line with the NMC Code, local policies and the limits of assessed competence. Participate in supervision, reflective practice, competency review and continuing professional development. Raise concerns about safety, quality, workload or practice openly and through the correct escalation route.

1Skills and Qualifications Essential: Clinical assessment and professional judgement: Able to gather and evaluate health information, recognise concerns, work within competence and escalate appropriately. Person-centred communication: Able to discuss sensitive health matters clearly, build trust and adapt communication to individual needs.

Professional Governance: Demonstrates high standards of consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, record keeping and professional accountability Organisational and Collaborative working: Able to work independently, manage competing priorities, use clinical systems and contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Learning and development: Committed to reflective practice and developing specialist occupational health knowledge and competence. Desirable: Occupational Health experience: Experience in occupational health screening, health surveillance, workplace health, or a safety -critical environment. Technical screening competence: Experience in audiometry, spirometry, vision screening, face fit testing or drug and alcohol testing.

Work and health assessment: Understanding of how health, functional ability and workplace exposures may affect an employee’s capacity to work safely. Quality and prevention: Experience contributing to clinical audit, service improvement, health promotion or preventative workplace health activity. Complexity The role involves extensive travel across a wide geographical area, frequent working a wide geographical are, frequent working from different business locations and adapting to changing operational requirements.

The postholder must balance these demands with competing clinical priorities wile maintaining consistent standards, accurate records, confidentiality and safe practice within their level of competence. Impact The role directly supports employee health, workplace safety and business compliance with health surveillance requirements.

Accurate screening, record keeping and timely escalation help identify health concerns early, inform safe work decisions and maintain operational continuity. The role also increases occupational health capacity and supports the future development of specialist OHA capability Influence The appointed person will influence employee engagement with occupational health by building trust, explaining requirements clearly and encouraging participation in screening and health surveillance.

They also influence service quality through accurate information, professional challenge, timely escalation and effective collaboration with OH colleagues, managers and wider business teams. Resource The appointed person is responsible for the safe use, security and transport of speciality occupational health equipment, clinical supplies and confidential employee information across multiple locations.

They manage their own clinical workload, travel and follow-up activity, identify equipment, stock or service issues that require escalation. The role has no direct budgetary or line management responsibility.