Occupational health nurses aim to encourage better health and well-being in workers. Their duties can include:

• providing pre-employment medicals
• assessing and treating employees who are injured or become ill at work
• providing counselling and support
• identifying health and safety problems and advising management on how to deal with them
• carrying out risk assessments
• training and supervising staff to become first aiders
• maintaining employee health records, and developing and managing emergency procedures.

Occupational health nurses are usually employed by large organisations such as hospitals, airlines, retail chains and financial institutions, as well as private consultancy firms that are called in by organisations to give specialist advice. Nurses can work as part of a team of health and safety experts, or alone - this may depend on the size of the organisation.

Hours and Environment

Hours of work vary depending on the employer. Many occupational health nurses work 37.5 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. This may involve a rota or shift pattern, including weekends, evenings and nights. Part-time or flexible hours may be available.

They will usually work in a clean, bright occupational health room, but may also spend some time in other work environments.

Skills and Interests

To be an occupational health nurse, you should:

• have good communication skills and be able to relate to people of different backgrounds
• be able to teach people to follow health and safety procedures and healthy lifestyle plans
• have the authority to make sure instructions on heath and safety issues are carried out
• be able to observe and deal with health and safety risks as they arise
• be able to stay calm and think clearly in an emergency
• be able to work on your own initiative, or as part of a team
• be mature, responsible and tactful.

Entry

To be an occupational health nurse you must first qualify as a nurse, in either the adult or mental health branch. Two years experience as a nurse is usually required before you can undertake further training in occupational health.

To qualify as a registered nurse you need to complete a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved degree or Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing. The NMC require all qualified nurses in the UK to join their register.

To gain entry onto an approved course you need to satisfy some general requirements. These include:

• providing evidence of your literacy and numeracy, good health and good character, and recent successful study experience
• meeting the minimum age requirement for nurse training - 17.5 years in England, 17 in Scotland, and 18 in Northern Ireland and Wales
• agreeing to undergo a criminal records bureau check; however, a criminal conviction does not automatically exclude you from working within the NHS.

Institutions offering approved nursing courses are entitled to set their own specific educational entry requirements.

The entry requirements for a Nursing Diploma are likely to include five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) preferably in English, maths and/or a science-based subject. In England applications for the diploma are made through NMAS; for all other regions check the contact listed in Further Information.

The entry requirements for a Nursing Degree will usually include the same GCSE/S grades as the diploma plus two or three A levels/H grades, possibly including a biological science. Applications for the degree are made through UCAS; see Further Information.

An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

An accelerated two year postgraduate course may be an option if you are a registered nurse qualified in the child or learning disability branches, or a graduate with a degree in a health-related subject. This will give you a recognised nursing qualification which must then be followed by further occupational health nurse training. Check with individual institutions for entry details; applications are made through NMAS.

For more information on alternative routes into nursing, please check the nursing job profiles.

Training

Most occupational health nurses have worked for at least two-years as a registered nurse before applying for further training in this field. Training in occupational health will involve studying one year full-time, or two years part-time for a degree or postgraduate diploma in specialist community public health nursing, specialising in occupational health. NHS Careers hold details of course providers.

Training is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and practical placements in the workplace. Subjects studied include:

• principles of occupational health
• prevention of ill health
• health surveillance
• health promotion
• health and safety legislation
• ergonomics and toxicology.

All nurses are encouraged to pursue continual professional development once qualified; it is essential to keep nursing skills and knowledge of health and safety legislation up-to-date.

As a qualified nurse, you need to renew your professional registration with the NMC every three years. In order to re-register you must complete a minimum of five days (35 hours) relevant learning within the previous three year period. This can be anything that has helped you maintain or develop your role within nursing. Check the NMC website for information on additional criteria and advice.

Former registered nurses wishing to return to the profession can take a return-to-practice course, available throughout the UK, consisting of a mixture of theory and practice. Contact NHS Careers for more details; see Further Information.

Opportunities

Occupational health nurses are found in all kinds of organisations including factories, office complexes, universities and colleges, department stores and hospitals. They may be employed directly by an organisation or work for a private consultancy or NHS trust. Self-employment is possible, including working as an occupational health consultant.

Some occupational health nurses progress to managing other occupational health staff or running an occupational health centre. It may also be possible to move into health service management or nurse training.

There are some opportunities to work abroad.

Annual Income

Figures are a guideline only.

Newly qualified nurses working in the NHS can earn between £19,200 and £24,800 a year.
Occupational health nurses can earn up to around £31,000.
A small number of nurse consultants can earn up to £61,000.

Extra allowances may be paid to those living in or around London.

Further information

School of Nursing
Shore Road
Newtownabbey
Co Antrim
BT37 0QB
Tel: 08700 400 700 23 Portland Place
London
W1B 1PZ
Tel: 020 7637 7181
Registration contacts
Overseas: 020 7333 6600
General: 020 7333 9333 Rosehill
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ
Tel: 0870 1122 211 Innovation House
Bridgend Road
Llanharan
CF72 9RP
Tel: 01443 233 333 Rosehill
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ
Tel: 0870 112 2206 for general enquiries
Tel: 0870 112 2200 for application packs 22 Queen Street
Edinburgh
EH2 1JX
Tel: 0131 226 7371 Tel: 08000 150 850
Email: learning@nhscareers.nhs.uk PO Box 376
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655