Activities of Occupational Health Nurse on a day to day

Activities of Occupational Health Nurse on a day to day

1. ACTIVITIES OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSE ON DAY TO DAY BASIS

2. BROAD OBJECTIVE By the end of this presentation, students should be able to acquire knowledge on the activities done by occupational healthy nurse on day to day basis

3. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES Define Occupational Health Nursing Explain the activities of occupational health nurse on day to day basis

4. DEFINITION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING It refers to the provision of health care to industrial workers or anybody who is working at his place of work

5. CONT’ It is aimed at applying nursing principles to promote health of workers and maintain a safe and healthier environment in an occupational setting for promoting industrial production It is concerned with the physical and psychosocial well being of the man in relation to his work and environment This occupational nurse is employed by the owner of the companies or organisations

6. CONT’ There are several activities that occupational Nurses carry out and some of them are;

7. 1. CONDUCTS RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF WORK PLACE EXPOSURE.. This helps occupational nurses to understand better the diseases and health conditions and knowing how many people are affected For example, understanding the cause of respiratory problems among people working in tobacco company hence will be able to advocate for them to be provided by the company with personal protective wear therefore preventing respiratory conditions

8. 2. MONITORS THE HEALTH STATUS OF WORKERS,WORK POPULATION AND COMMUNITY GROUPS A. Pre-employment medical examination This helps employers to identify workers who are fit for the job ie those with respiratory problems cannot be fit to work in tobacco processing industries or mining companies

9. CONT’ B. Periodic Screening This helps in early detection of diseases and treatment ie blood pressure and glucose check ups It also helps to assess if the work is not affecting the health of workers ie assessing the visual acuity and hearing among those working in welding companies

10. CONT’ C. Medical Examination after sick leave This helps to assess if the worker is fit to resume the work or needs an extended sick leave

11. 3.MONITORS THE WORK ENVIRONMENT A. Physical Environment Occupational Health Nurse should assess if the buildings are permanent, well ventilated and well lighted, water supply, hygiene (Toilets and rubbish pits), p ersonal protective equipment such as heavy gloves, helmets, goggles, work suits, first aid kits and fire extiquishers are available

12. CONTI’ B. Psychosocial Environment It is the role of the Occupational health nurse to conduct counselling to the workers, provide health education on health promotion behaviors, monitor working hours so as to advocate if they are overworking and monitor relationship between core-workers and employers

13. 4.ENCOURAGE WORKERS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH This can be done through health education and disease management programs such as smoking cessation, exercises, stress management, control of chronic illness, effective use of medical services, nutritional and weight control

14. 5.PROMOTION ON INTERDISPLINARY APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE The nurse encourages the health professionals from different disciplines, along with the client to work in collaboration as a team. They share responsibilities and promote role interdependence while respecting individual members’ experience and autonomy.

15. 6. COORDINATE AND DELIVER HEALTH SERVICES TO THE EMPLOYEES The occupational health nurse also has a role of coordinating and providing health services to the employees for example, first aid and referrals, oral and injectable medications and taking specimen samples i.e . blood samples urine and sputum for diagnostic purposes. This helps to serve lives and minimize further injuries and complications.

16. 7. WRITING NURSING REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Occupational Health Nurse has a role of reporting to the upper level managers. For example if they have identified certain problems if working in mining companies without personal protective equipment like helmets and safety boots The Nurse should recommend that everyone working in these mines should be putting on personal protective equipment like helmets and safety boots

17. 8. ASSISTING IN SCHEDULING FOR OCUPATIONAL HEALTH CLINICS The Occupational Health Nurse should coordinate with medical specialists to provide health services for example arranging for Tuberculosis mobile clinics

18. 9. PLAN AND MAINTAIN HEALTH RECORDS AND CORDINATE FOR FOLLOW UP TESTING The nurse should keep all records safely in order to promote privacy and confidentiality. He or she should also follow up for those who are on certain treatments and collect samples in order to conduct follow up testing

19. CONCLUSION It is very vital for an Occupation Health Nurse to carry out the above activities so as to ensure health life for both workers and employees to maximize the productivity.

20. REFERENCES Allender, J. Rector, C. & Warner K.D (2014). Community and Public Health Nursing. Promoting The Public’s Health(8 th Ed). New York: Lippincott Stanhope, M & Lancaster, J. (2016). Public Health Nursing Population Centred health Care in the Community. St Louis: Mosby Publishing