Occupational Health Nurse

i. Occupational Health Surveillance Activities:

• Carry out pre-employment health assessments of employees through reviewing completed new starter questionnaires.
• Identify employees who require further specialized pre-employment screening in line with our procedures for staff who work with animals/biological agents/chemical agents or those who have clinical contact with patients.
• Following initial screening, identify and refer employees who require further assessment where protocol indicates that a medical decision is required.
• Ensure staff on health surveillance undergo their required screening and medical examination findings communicated to respective staff.
• Initiate and maintain confidential individual occupational health records for all employees on health surveillance. Work independently to make clinical judgements and decisions.
• Develop and ensure implementation and active staff participation of annual wellness and awareness programs such as sports, aerobics, health checks, seminars, cultural days etc.
• Provide health education and advice to MLW staff so that they can make informed choices regarding vaccination options and employees to take responsibility for their own health, well-being and lifestyle by ensuring that employees have the relevant information to participate in decisions about their health.
• Implement PEP protocol (monitor PEP phone line, coordinate and follow-up appointments with patient and ensure appointments are completed) and Hepatitis B protocol.

ii. Provide advice and guidance to managers across the MLW in relation to Occupational Health:

• Become familiar with working environments, hazards to health and staff wellbeing by visiting workplace environments.
• Assisting departments and projects to do risk assessments to identify hazards and put in place effective control measures to eliminate or minimize risks.
• Conduct site visits and monthly site inspections to monitor implementation and compliance to hazard control measures in place.
• Act as a resource to staff of other disciplines, specifically those staff in specialist H&S roles within the organization regarding occupational health assessment and screening and occupational health, through recognized protocols and committees.
• Coordinate relevant clinical audits and documentation audits to ensure safe and effective clinical service delivery.
• Analyze occupational health data to be able to provide regular reports to SMT on occupational health provision within the organization.

iii. Apply evidence-based practice and develop relevant policies, procedures and information leaflets in relation to provision of occupational health services including HIV/AIDS:

• Access, appraise and critically apply evidence-based practice in relation to occupational health practice in accordance with national guidance, HSE legislation and acknowledged best practice.
• Initiate, review and develop relevant policies, procedures and information leaflets related to Occupational Health.
• Liaise with other stakeholders like QECH and the MoH on matters related to occupational health service delivery.
• Ensure that MLW staff have access to current HIV prevention information through training, group discussion/meetings and one-to-one conversation.
• Be a link between MLW HIV counsellors and Blantyre DHO HIV unit in all activities regarding HIV testing, advocate training, acquisition of logbooks and other suppliers for HIV counsellors as recommended by the government.
• Take lead in developing, maintaining the HIV workplace policy and ensure that staff are made aware of its existence as well as day-to-day management of the HIV/AIDs committee and activities.
• Ensure implementation of the MLW HIV/AIDS workplace policy provisions i.e. HIV prevention messages, distribution of condoms and HIV self-testing kits to staff.

iv.  Provide guidance on infection prevention and control (IP&C) measures in clinical and laboratory areas where MLW operates its research work:

• Work with projects and departments to ensure availability of infection prevention and control (IP&C) facilities in all workstations.
• Monitoring implementation and uptake of infection prevention and control (IP&C) measures in all MLW operation sites.
• Training staff doing clinical and laboratory work in infection prevention and control (IP&C) i.e. hand hygiene, disinfection, PPE donning and doffing.
• Coordination of PPE procurement and supply to ensure MLW has PPE all the time for departments and projects to use.
• Establish and maintain standard procedures in the prevention of HIV exposure through needle stick and splash injury to all staff working in the clinical and lab areas.
• Work with occupational health doctor to assess and initiate PEP, monitor staff including sampling and discharge of staff on PEP treatment.
• Maintain adequate stock of HIV PEP as recommended by MLW senior management to ensure quick access by staff in case of needle stick and splash injuries.
• Be a champion for Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) in all clinical areas where MLW operates its research work.
• Assess the need and safety for Hepatitis B vaccination, offer vaccine and make follow-ups to ensure all staff starts and complete their doses safely.

v. General duties

• Order clinical and non-clinical supplies and equipment for occupational health purposes.
• Support and educate other team members in the process of occupational health assessment and surveillance and provide advice and act as a resource to less experienced colleagues.
• To act as a mentor and supervisor to other nurses in relation to health and safety.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant HS policies and procedures of MLW. All employees are required to follow all applicable rules and procedures relating to Health and Safety at Work and to take all responsible precautions to avoid accidents and incidents. All staff have a duty to report all accidents and incidents in accordance with MLW policies and procedures.
• Assist in the identification of need and preparation of health risk assessments e.g. pregnant and new mothers risk assessments.
• Travel to offsite locations to conduct clinical training including training of auxiliary health personnel e.g. housekeepers, field workers (specifically clinical procedures and related courses).
• Contribute towards the annual Health and Safety Calendar by facilitating occupational health and safety related awareness activities promoting healthy living and working conditions.