Anne,

I agree totally that they would have loads to offer but my concern is that having dealt with  many HR and H & S managers over the years they find it hard to know what they want and many don’t know what the difference is. That means that in good faith a person could find themselves at risk in a role they are not able to deliver.

But as I said I would love this person as a part of the wider team. So in essence could they? Yes but they should be advised of the opportunities that the qualification could open to them and more importantly the risks of employers who don’t really know what they want. I would advise them to ensure they are in a team until 2-3 years post qualification before they decide their own niche.

Sadly many OH roles are not in teams so reduces choices.

D

Hi Dawn

I can see your point ...but they could do that already with a H&S qualification, what they can’t call themselves is an Occupational Health Nurse. I would see them as undertaking a similar role to an OH technician but with specialist skills in assessment of physical fitness.

Cheers
Anne


On 09/09/2013 12:10, "Dawn Veal" <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi Anne,
 
I have given this some thought and I would suggest that many employers employing OHA’s are generally are vague as to what we do and the difference from a OHA with a cert, diploma or degree or those with experience but no formal qualification ( they say they do but when you ask they don’t actually). My concern would be that if this person passed the degree what would they call themselves? An OHA? In which case I would ask how many OHA’s are there on jiscmail with no Nursing qualification at all?  Also for the person it could be quite daunting as many of us know OH is quite a lonely role and in many cases we are lone practitioners. I would really worry if this person was working alone and ended up in a ET and then the employer said oh I thought they were a nurse!
 
It muddies the water which is already a bit muddy….
 
On the plus side I think for larger organisations with teams of OH they would be perfect as they come at a specific angle. Its more niche but very useful. General OH tends to be jack of all trades and not sure they could cover the full remit.
 
Devils advocate…
D
 
 
 

From: [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Sent: 04 September 2013 13:51
To: [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] A query

Dear List

I have a query which I hope you can help me with – sorry for the length of the email – its rather complex.

As many of you may know we offer two occupational health pathways programmes – one is exclusively for registered nurses and confers registration with the NMC as a SCPHN. The other uses the same modules but is open to people who are ineligible for the SCPHN pathway eg Enrolled Nurses, and nurses registered overseas. It is also open to other professionals including OTs and Physio’s. I had an enquiry from a prospective student yesterday from someone who holds a degree in sports and exercise science and has been involved in the fitness sector. She has now been told that she can no longer undertake this role as she is not registered with the HCPC (previously known as the HPC).

I suspect that what this means is that the  HCPC have advised her that she cannot use a protected title (similar to only a nurse registered with the NMC can call themselves a “Registered Nurse”). Prospective employers tell her that they prefer to employ someone who is registered with the HCPC.  Having looked at the HCPC web site there are a number of professions which register with the HCPC from Art Therapist to Speech and Language Therapy. I cannot see anything regarding sports or exercise and as such there cannot currently be a protected title for sports/exercise specialists.

I would have thought that someone with this exercise background and an understanding of key OH issues be very employable in the OH setting particularly in one where high levels of fitness are associated with job requirements such as the military, fire service, prison service and police (particularly with the requirements of the Winsor review in mind).

Issues key to practice  in the OH setting would include:

• the ethics of working in the OH setting – particularly with regard to confidentiality;
• the principles of H&S legislation such as  H&S at Work Act and the 6 pack;
• promoting wellness in the workplace
• assessing fitness for task

My question is – would subscribers employ such a practitioner, particularly one who holds the Grad Cert/BSc(Hons) Workplace Health Management  within their OH team – I am not enquiring about possible employment just employability. I have attached a flyer of that course for your info in relation to this query.

Your feedback would very much be appreciated.

Anne Harriss
Course Director
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY
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