Occupational Health Nurse

At West Midlands Police we are committed to creating an environment that invests in, values, and improves the health and wellbeing of our people. The role of the occupational health unit is pivotal in delivering this commitment to achieve and attain a workplace culture where the wellbeing of our people is reflected in all that we do.

We have a permanent full time opportunity for an experienced occupational health practice nurse to support the delivery of occupational health services to the officers and staff of West Midlands Police. You will be enthusiastic, organised, a good communicator and poses a positive and flexible approach to work. This post is also suitable for nurses who want to enter into occupational health for the first time as full role training will be given.

Under the supervision of a senior occupational health nurse manager you will participate in a number of duties including:

Pre-placement / pre-employment health screening – through health questionnaires and / or during face to face or telephone assessments
Health surveillance checks for fitness for role and ongoing health surveillance checks for specific roles such as firearms officers, drivers medicals, etc - Drug testing for new officer and staff in certain police staff roles
Provide workplace immunisations - Undertake phlebotomy and interpret blood test results
Provide workplace health advice and health promotion where required
Participate in providing advice to officers and / or staff following potential blood Bourne virus exposure (e.g. needle stick injury)
Provide signposting to other primary health care services if and when appropriate
Arrange onward referral internally to other OH specialists such as occupational health nurse advisors
From time to time, undertake the role of duty nurse
Obtain reports on officers and / or staff from GPs and / or specialists
Liaises with occupational health nurses and doctors in relation to assessing fitness for duty, where necessary, in the case of complex health problems pertaining to fitness for duty
Undertake role risk assessments in relation to workplace health hazards
To administer screening procedures such as audiometry, spirometry, vision testing, drug and alcohol testing.
Managing call and recall systems associated with health surveillance.
To work within departmental policies and procedures
To be responsible for maintaining NMC revalidation requirements
Participate in nursing and departmental meetings

Essential Criteria

Qualified Registered Nurse Adult or Registered General Nurse
Experience of working in general nursing for a minimum of two years post qualifying
Excellent interpersonal skills and team player
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Able to work under pressure and ambiguity and with minimal supervision
Enthusiastic and motivated.
Flexibility and a “can-do” approach
Quality of care focus
Excellent IT skills.
Ability to take responsibility and show initiative
Keep knowledge and skills up to date.
Willingness to work at other sites if and when required

Desirable Criteria

Experience of working in an Occupational Health service in policing, other blue light sector or NHS is advantageous, but not essential.
Experience of working in community health care such as GP nursing or community nursing
An occupational health or travel health qualification

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

Hours: The post holder will be required to work core service hours usually working weekends and some Bank Holidays.

Location: Tally Ho, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical: Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.

Interviews: Interview dates to be confirmed.

Contact: For further information regarding this role, please contact Kate Worley (Occupational Health Nurse Manager) at kate.worley@westmidlands.police.uk.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

“Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities”

By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:

- Fair remuneration with progression opportunities, and access to a very competitive pension scheme

- Enhanced annual leave in additional to public holiday entitlements

- Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities

- A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs