occupational health technician training
TRANSCRIPT
Objectives of session• By the end of the session should be able to:
• Name 2 pieces of legislation which specifically aim to protect health • Define the term Occupational Health• List 4 types of work related ill health• Why does this organisation need OH? Give three reasons• Outline the basic steps of Universal Hygiene measures• List two ways you can a) protect yourself and b) protect the client in the
course of your work
Session outline• What is Occupational Health• Why have OH• Who are our customers• The types health monitoring • The team and technicians role• Protecting yourself and clients• Other knowledge and skills• Assessment.
What is Occupational Health
Absence Management
Health Checks
Risk Assessment
COSHH First aidManagement of H&S at workNoise Regulations Stress Manual handling
Skin Diseases, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL),Musculoskeletal Disorders, Occupational Lung Diseases, fitness for task
Long term/short
term absenceHealth
related poor performance
Ill-health retirement
• Nutrition• Physical Activity• Sleep• Stress• Drugs and Alcohol
Records/Information• Confidentiality• Record keeping• Data protection
Health Promotion
HSE/industry requirements& guidelines
Why Have Occupational Health
Risk assessment & health surveillance,
screening
Employmentlaw
Equality Act
Litigation
reduce risk
Types of Health Monitoring • Pre-placement• Health Surveillance:
‘Any activity which involves obtaining information about employees health and which assists in protecting that employee from health risks at work’
• Fitness for role• Health Screening:
• a major public health activity which aims to detect disease before symptoms appear e.g. urine testing can detect diabetes (not work related ill health)
Clinical Considerations expand roles of others• Doctors
• Set policy, direction of service• Required by legislation eg Nightworkers, Asbestos, Lead, Ionising Radiation,
Railways• Specific eg Ill health retirement decisions, complex cases, litigation, dismissal
due to ill health• Advisers
• Management referrals, absence, Equality , workplace assessments, fitness for work
• Practice Nurses • Health surveillance and screening• Health promotion
• Different levels of practitioners and responsibilities
What OH Technicians do not do• Give advice on general health • Make decisions on fitness for role• Discuss abnormal findings in detail • Discuss employee’s health with other staff or Management without
referral to OHA/P• Change procedure to fit an individual
Specifically for Technician• Lung function testing• Screening health questionnaires• Hearing tests• Blood pressure measuring• Height weight and body mass index• Vision testing• Hand Arm Vibration• Urinalysis• Drug and Alcohol• Display Screen Equipment• Health promotion• Food handler
Protect yourself• Infection control procedures• Thorough training• Dealing with anger and aggression• Feeling confident• Knowing when to refer to others• Support • Feeling well• Understanding the reasons why you are doing tests• Time management• Full and accurate records of assessments
Universal Precaution Measures• Regular hand washing• Gloves• Plastic aprons• Correct clothing for environment• Ensuring all clinical waste is disposed of properly• Ensuring that all equipment is clean and free from infection
Protecting your Clients/Patients• Introductions/greetings• Correct equipment for the task• Correctly calibrated equipment• Training on use of PPE (if required and trained)• Adherence to procedures• Understanding your role and customer expectations• Follow up/referral
Other knowledge and skills required
• Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology specific to activity• An up to date job description• Access to the policy and procedures as required• Competent to perform all procedures as defined by job role
e.g. audiometry and spirometry training• Familiarisation of equipment to be used• Familiarisation with relevant documentation• Named clinical support in case of problems arising
Assessment• Short theoretical assessment - no more than 15 minutes • 8 questions for each assessment - covered in session content• Successful completion - certificate of attendance issued.
Next steps• Issue workbook by professional supervisor• Anatomy and physiology training as required• Formal training on equipment• Observation• Supervised practise• Sign off• Start Technician duties