An occupational health nurse is a nursing professional that focuses on workplace safety. While many would like to think that only certain workplaces are hazardous, this isn’t true. Every workplace has its own hazards, regardless of the occupations associated with them.
What Is an Occupational Health Nurse?
There are hazards in all types of workplaces, from retail stores to offices to construction sites. Workplace hazards can include chemicals, obstructions, machinery, or even employee carelessness and computer screens.
Occupational health is a field that involves identifying and controlling workplace hazards. Professionals in this field work to make sure that workplaces stay safe and employees stay healthy. Occupational health nurses attempt to prevent injuries and illnesses related to workplaces and care for employees that have gotten hurt or ill.
Occupational health nurses work closely with both employers and employees to ensure that workers stay safe in their working environments. They also work to make sure that workers suffering from workplace-related injuries and illnesses get the care they need.
Communication skills are an absolute must if you’re looking to become an occupational health nurse. You must be able to effectively communicate with employers, employees, medical professionals, and insurance companies. Teaching skills are also important, as you’ll often be educating individuals on workplace safety. Attention to detail and problem-solving skills are equally important.
What Do Occupational Health Nurses Do?
Occupational health nurses work to prevent, investigate, and treat workplace-related illnesses and injuries.
To prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, occupational health nurses assess workplaces to identify possible hazards. These nurses also educate employers and employees on how to prevent accidents and injuries. They may suggest changes in procedures or develop other ways to make workplaces safer. Occupational health nurses also make sure that workplaces comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act or OSHA standards.
When an employee claims that an illness or injury is related to his work, an occupational health nurse will also investigate the incident’s circumstances. For instance, they may look at an employee’s medical charts to determine whether a workplace hazard could have caused the injury or illness. These nurses may also perform drug and alcohol tests and investigate the causes of workplace accidents. This is often necessary for workman’s compensation and medical insurance claims.
Treating employees that get hurt or ill due to workplace hazards is another important responsibility of occupational health nurses. This may include tending to injuries, administering medication, and performing rehabilitation therapy after certain injuries.
Occupational nurses will also screen new and prospective employees to ensure that they can perform the duties required by their positions. This may include a physical examination, vision test, hearing test, and drug or alcohol screening.
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Where Do Occupational Health Nurses Work?
Occupational health nurses can often find employment in hospitals and clinics. However, many employers and companies will also hire these nursing professionals. They work in all industries and all different types of workplaces.
How to Become an Occupational Health Nurse
To become an occupational health nurse, you will first need to become a registered nurse. This involves earning your nursing degree or diploma from an accredited nursing school. You will also need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses also offers voluntary certification for occupational nurses. To be eligible to sit for the certification examination, you must have had 3,000 hours of experience as an occupational health nurse within the prior five years, or you must have completed an occupational health nurse certificate program.
Additional Resources for Occupational Health Nurses
- American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc.
- American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA)
- OSHA’s Office of Occupational Medicine and Nursing (OOMN)
- American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM)
- International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH)
- American Association of Occupational Health Nursing, Inc. (AAOHN)
- Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
- The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
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