I sympathise with Sue.  The term 'Occupational Health Nurse' is a legal
definition, and as such can only be used by a registered nurse on Part 1 of
the NMC register, with a recognised OH qualification.  There are however,
without doubt some very experianced and competent nurses working within the
OH setting who do not hold a recognised, registerable qualification in OH .
There are also, at the other end of the scale, some very inexperianced
nurses working as
sole practitioners for organisations that are trying to get OH 'on the
cheap'.  These organisations will get the advice that they pay for, which
possibly is inaccurate, inappropriate and in some instances could be
dangerous.  Not only does this place the organisation at risk, more
importantly the employee or potential employee may suffer as a result.  The
issue is not a case of elitism, more an issue of competancy.  We (OH nurse
professionals) need to strive for the 'best possible practice', for the
benefit of both employers, employees and our colleagues, qualified or not!

Bob

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sue Mclaren" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2003 9:31 PM
Subject: PE Questionairres


> Hi, In response to the comments below and speaking as a non qualified
nurse
> who works in the speciality of OH I would argue against the presumption
> here that by virtue of not holding the OH Masters/Degree/Diploma that I
may
> not be competent to work in the speciality of OH or make sound clinical
> judgements! (PEQ's) I think holding a first class honors degree in
> Education taught me that a degree teaches the learner HOW to research and
> hopefully I have utilised that knowledge base in my present area of OH (an
> area in which I have worked happily since 1996. Some of us have valid
> reasons for not being able to undertake the degree at 53 years of age with
> 15 years in nurse education and teaching core specialist subjects such as
> management, research, communications skills etc we feel that we can hold
> our ground somewhat !  I personallly have also been priveleged to work
with
> excellent OH qualified role models who taught me most of what I know today
> and who have inspired me to do our best degree or no degree!. I also do
> take OH seriously and hopefully work with passion in the area as I think
> many other non qualifed OH specialists do perhaps and RGN's I have also
> been equally priveleged to work with. So come on give us a break from
> elitism and be fair. We can, do and have to make decisions because like it
> or not I believe quite a percentage of OH Practitioners are still to this
> day RGN only and some of us do work unsupervised in jobs hopefully with
> passion, committment and safely!  Kind regards,  Sue
>
> I agree that someone with OH knowledge should review PEQs. OHAs have the
> advantage not only of being aware of the problems that can lead to ill
> health in the workplace, they generally have the opportunity to review the
> health information and assess it in the context of the specific role and
> working environment. In supervising RGNs examining PEQs, I have come
across
> a tendency for them to think of worst case scenarios as to why the job
> can't
> be done by the individual rather than looking at what can be done, with or
> without reasonable adjustments. This is particularly true where the
> applicant has a history of mental health problems.
>
> Regards,
>
> Giuliana
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diane romano woodward [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 09 July 2003 19:50
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Pre-employment questionnaires
>
>
> Kennie and everyone-
> Occupational health is a speciality in both medicine and nursing. Those of
> us who have specialist training (diploma/degree/Masters) have encountered
a
> body of knowledge
> which others will not , in the relationship in work and health- how work
> may
> affect health and how a persons pre-existing health problems may impact on
> and be accommodated at work.
> Relying on an RGN (who is not under the direct supervision an OH qualified
> practitioner) makes about as much sense as expecting the same RGN to be
> practising safely and competently in the speciality of cancer or
children's
> health or any other speciality. RGN training is a basis on which to expand
> knowledge. If you rely on unsupervised RGN to make such decisions you may
> get some wrong (and costly)decisions.
> I would make the same assertion in using a "medical practitioner" without
> an
> OH qualification. As a very minimum a GP with OH diploma and that only for
> the most straightforward of cases.
> Am I preaching to the converted? Sorry..
> Best wishes,
> Diane
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kennie Adeoye" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 5:15 PM
> Subject: Re: Pre-employment questionnaires
>
>
> > We do not have an OH dept, we at the moment using an independent medical
> advisor, but I do believe HR can open all PEQ and make referrals where
> necessary (possibly under the guidance of a medical practitioner)and where
> in doubt they refer.
> > Is it necessary to refer all PEQ? Scenario:  With a past medical history
> of a fracture and is seeking to work as an adm. support staff, do they
> require a sound judgment on their fitness for that post?. Is the advise
> here
> to refer everyone who complete the PEQ? I will appreciate some advice.
> >
> > We have two Registered nurses and although they are not  Occ.health
> qualified, the main issues here is are they competent to make that
> decision.
> >
> > Kennie
> >
>
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