Bank Occupational Health Advisor
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job overview
BANK Occupational Health Advisor
Department: Staff Health & Wellbeing
Band 6 £19.10 - £22.99 per hour
Hours: Zero hours contract, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
An exciting opportunity has arisen for experienced, enthusiastic and innovative Occupational Health Advisors, to join the bank and support the Staff Health and Wellbeing team with the co-ordination, provision and delivery of an effective high quality Occupational Health and Wellbeing services to the staff here at Milton Keynes University Hospital.As an Occupational Health Nurse Advisor, you will be able to provide specialist guidance and support to managers and staff, in accordance with national legislation and local policies and procedures.
You will be required to work independently but also enjoy working in a diverse multi-disciplinary team, providing support and guidance to more junior members of the team.
You will actively participate in the delivery of a professional pro-active employee health and wellbeing service for staff at MKUH and external organisations whilst being involved with the wider team to help make continual service improvements.
Knowledge and experience of Occupational Health and an interest in all aspects of a holistic wellbeing are an integral part of this role.Here at MKUH, we genuinely care about our colleagues and strive to create a safe engaging environment that values all unique skillsets and their contributions.
Interview date: 11 March 2025
Main duties of the job
The aim of this role is to provide staff health and wellbeing services, mainly in relation to core occupational health. You will have day-to-day responsibility for occupational health clinics and a designated caseload and will be expected to provide a comprehensive and confidential occupational health service.
You will also promote a holistic wellbeing approach to staff, customers and managers. This includes prevention initiatives, onward referrals, health surveillance and health and safety advice in accordance with legislative requirements and best practice.You will be expected to work with a wider Staff Health & Wellbeing team, and ensure that, if indicated, the referral is made to the appropriate team member e.g. physiotherapist, workplace adjustment advisor etc.
The aspiration for the Staff Health & Wellbeing (SH&WB) service at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) is to deliver an enhanced, clinically excellent occupational health and wellbeing services. As a team we are committed to the delivery of a consistent, high-quality, cost-effective service that supports a more sustainable, stable, and resilient workforce internally and for our clients.
The department is currently working towards SEQOSH accreditation and as part of your role you will play an important role in this process.
Working for our organisation- 65% report achieving a good balance between work and home life and are satisfied with the opportunities for flexible working patterns. ' (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical
Undertake pre-employment health assessment/triage and advise on health and fitness to work of all grades of staff, in particular where there may be concerns about the impact on work on the employee’s health, or their fitness to carry out the job.To advise management/HR as and when appropriate and assist with the placement of employees with health conditions, referring to the Senior Practitioners where necessary.
Undertake assessments of fitness to work with recommendations for adjustments/ restrictions to the workplace in accordance with the Equality Act (2010). Assessing the need for further information from GP, specialists, or previous employer.
Health Surveillance/ Blood and Body Fluid Exposures
Undertake health surveillance of staff groups exposed to hazardous substances in accordance with HSE requirements ensuring that completed surveillance results are relayed to the relevant department/manager.
Accurately gather and record working history, workplace exposures, and recall for health surveillance requirements; be able to collect accurate health surveillance data and maintain accurate records; maintain confidentiality of individual health information and security of health records.
Administrative
Ensure accurate, legible nursing records are kept on the chosen OH software system, in line with NMC guidance and Access to Medical Records Act 1988. Ensuring the maintenance of secure records within the department to comply with Data Protection and GDPR.
Lead on annual audit and service improvement programmes in conjunction with the Senior Practitioners
Education
Contribute to the improvement of the health of all staff through development/delivery of health promotion activities including fairs, induction talks, participation in management training, and lifestyle screening where appropriate, delivering preventive education to managers and staff.
Maximise opportunities for health education/promotion, targeting key identified hot spots within the Trust.
Management
To deputise in the absence of the Senior OH Practitioners, with the day-to-day operation of the service.
Support the competency and development of more junior members of the team such as OH Technicians.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria- Registered General Nurse
- Registered Occupational Health Nurse (Degree or Diploma)
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- SCPHN qualification and entry on the 3rd part of the NMC register
- Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and implementation
Experience
Essential criteria- Relevant experience at band 5/6 in an Occupational Health setting
- Experience of case management, undertaking fitness to work health assessments and health surveillance
- Experience of delivering health and wellbeing initiatives including annual flu campaign
- Experience of dealing with senior clinicians, managers and staff
- Experience of working with confidential information
- Experience of managing own caseload and working to tight deadlines
- A basic understanding of audit and quality assurance
- Experience of infection control issues in relation to OH such as immunisation schedules and infectious disease contact tracing
- Significant post registration experience in a variety of clinical settings
- Experience in an NHS setting
- Experience of working with external clients
- Knowledge of national issues around OH
Skills
Essential criteria- Able to work effectively and collaboratively in a team
- Able to communicate well at all levels, developing interpersonal relationships with colleagues within the Trust
- Venepuncture and immunisation skills
- Ability to organize and prioritise workloads effectively
- Counselling skills
- Presentation skills
- Able to produce clear, concise written reports
Personal and people development
Essential criteria- Acts in ways that support our values, promotes equality, diversity and belonging.
- Respectful and professional
- Resilient and able to ask for help and support.
- Self-aware, understands influence of self on others.
- Committed to developing their own skills
Communication
Essential criteria- Ability to work flexibly as part of a hybrid team
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.