Occupational Health Nurse

Responsibilities: The Occupational Health Nurse is responsible for assessing and identifying both occupational and non-occupational illnesses and injuries, triaging care, and assisting with the rehabilitation of injured and ill employees. The goal is to enable employees to return to work in a healthy and safe manner.

Essential Duties: The following duties represent the general responsibilities of this role. Specific job duties may vary based on company requirements.

* Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with patients, families, management, and the medical community.

* Assess and identify occupational and non-occupational injuries and illnesses, and triage care appropriately.

* Develop and implement care plans, providing treatments per established Nursing Protocols and Guidelines.

* Work independently within the scope of Occupational Health Nursing.

* Perform physical assessments and screening tests (e.g., strep screens, urine dipstick, glucose testing, tympanogram, EKG, vision and hearing screenings, drug/alcohol testing) to obtain nursing diagnoses.

* Refer patients to a Family Nurse Practitioner, Physician, or outside specialist when assessment indicates a need for care beyond the scope of Occupational Health Nursing.

* Facilitate care, testing, or medical services (e.g., x-rays, prescriptions, physical therapy).

* Document care, referrals, and follow-ups in electronic systems and medical charts.

* Discuss findings, referrals, treatments, and follow-up care with employees, considering their education, understanding, and cultural background.

* Educate employees on health and wellness issues, utilizing present complaints as "teachable moments."

* Obtain diagnoses and functional activity restrictions from external providers, evaluating the appropriateness of restrictions in relation to the employee's recovery and functional ability.

* Coordinate and monitor care from external providers and refer as needed (e.g., Benefit Partners, health plan case managers).

* Communicate with external providers, employees, and management to ensure safe and timely return to work.

* Maintain a general knowledge base that includes acute illnesses, injuries, chronic diseases, and preventive care.

* Demonstrate self-motivation, good judgment, and the ability to prioritize work while following company policies and procedures.

Minimum Educational Requirements:

* Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Associate Degree in Nursing.

Prerequisite Skills/Knowledge/Training: Employees in this role must possess:

* Knowledge of acute illnesses, injuries, chronic diseases, and preventive care.

* Strong verbal, written, and electronic communication skills, along with good listening abilities.

* Self-motivation and the ability to make sound judgments while working independently.

* Capability to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

* Successful completion of required training.

* Good organizational skills, the ability to prioritize work, and adherence to company policies and procedures.

* Team-oriented mindset.

* Basic knowledge of facility safety and regulatory requirements, basic computer skills, and familiarity with various software packages (e.g., SAP, Intranet, Microsoft Office).

* Commitment to safety

* Ability to accept and provide constructive feedback.

License/Certification Required:

* Registered Nurse (RN) license; certification in Occupational Health Nursing preferred.

Mandatory Job Qualifications:

* Advanced nursing skills.

* Ability to obtain Certification in Occupational Health Nursing and in Drug/Alcohol testing.

* Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (optional).

Physical Requirements:

* Ability to move effectively around the clinic and work/office area.

* Proficient in verbal, electronic, and written communication.

* Capable of walking, sitting, and standing for extended periods.

* Able to travel domestically via airline and/or automobile.

Mental Requirements:

* Strong complex problem-solving abilities.

* Independent judgment

* Effective social skills.

* Commitment to continuous learning.

* Capability to multitask effectively while performing job functions.

* Ability to work independently.

Safety Requirements:

* Adhere to safety protocols, including universal precautions, and understand all applicable safety requirements and expectations.