Occupational Health Advisor

This is an outstanding opportunity to join the Health and Wellness Centre, People and Organisational Development, Colwyn Bay team at North Wales Police as the Occupational Health Advisor. You’ll be joining on a permanent contract within an organisation that will truly support your success in the workplace.

You will be responsible for providing objective occupational health advice, which enables North Wales Police to manage the health of its workforce effectively in line with legal requirements.  You will be required to provide professional input into the recruitment of Police Officers and staff, assessing ongoing fitness for work as appropriate and undertake health surveillance in line with legal requirements. 

What does the Occupational Health Advisor role entail?

• Acting as the Case Manager for referrals, providing evidence based and comprehensive occupational health advice, guidance and recommendations to line managers on the fitness to work of their Officers/Staff, and in the absence of the Line Manager act as main point of contact within their clinical scope.
• Undertaking assessments and make decisions on fitness for role for Police Staff (including PCSO’s) and Special Constables ensuring strict compliance with the relevant medical standards and raising any concerns with the Occupational Health Manager.
• Undertaking mandatory medical assessments for specialist roles, identifying those who fail to meet the required standard and referring to the Force Medical Advisor as appropriate.
• Acting in an advisory capacity to the organisation on fitness to work. Advise line managers on appropriate return to work / maintenance at work plans advising on any reasonable adjustments to fulfil their role, and any onward referral to physiotherapy and counselling.
• Providing expert Occupational Health input into attendance management multidisciplinary meetings and any case conferences as required.
• Undertaking a range of clinical procedures including the provision of vaccinations, blood tests and urine drug test sampling as required.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records in line with the Nursing and Midwifery code of professional conduct ensuring that all relevant data is entered into relevant systems to enable report completion.
• Line manage a screening nurse to ensure clinical competency and current Revalidation requirements are in place and an Occupational Health Technician to ensure clinical competence.
• Liaise with Health and Safety as required by supporting and inputting into the completion of any Route Cause Analysis reports as required.
• Develop in depth knowledge of initiatives and developments within the wider Policing environment and to ensure up to date knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Identify areas of special concern or trends in physical and psychological health risks escalating accordingly to the Occupational Health Manager or to the Mental Health and Welfare Lead Practitioner.
• On occasion be required to deal with matters necessitating work outside normal working hour’s e.g. major disasters. You may be required to attend local, regional and national conferences including travel and attendance outside normal working hours.

What will I need to be considered for the Occupational Health Advisor role? 

• Registered General Nurse holding current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
• Occupational Health Degree
• A minimum of 3 years post registration clinical experience.
• The post holder must be able to evidence of continual professional development and revalidation with the NMC.
• Knowledge of sickness and absence management processes including advising on reasonable adjustments and recuperative plans.
• Experience of managing own caseload
• Trained in Audiometry, spirometry, Vision Screening
• Ability to keep comprehensive clinical records.
• Occupational Health Experience
• IT literacy, ability to use relevant IT systems and Microsoft Office.
• A current manual driving licence is also required, as the post holder will be required to travel across the Force as required.

Other duties will include, but not be limited to;

• Phlebotomy experience
• Trained in vaccinations
• Experience of providing occupational health to an emergency service (I.e. Police, Fire. Ambulance).
• Occupational Health Specialist Practitioner Status

North Wales Police are a bilingual organisation and for this role, you’ll need to demonstrate Level 3 Welsh skills, which means you’re able to converse partly in Welsh and write informal communications. You can find out more by visiting our  Welsh Language Resources Page

Positive Action - are you eligible?

We recognise that everybody’s needs are unique and different. Our Workforce Representation Team offer a variety of initiatives including providing appropriate advice, encouragement and support throughout the recruitment process. If you’re from a Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME), minority religion group, Female, Male,  LGBT+, or have a disability – the Workforce Representation Team may be able to offer you Positive Action support depending on the role you are applying for. Visit our Positive Action page to learn more about how this works and our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

How do I apply?

Please submit your application via the North Wales Police website, ensuring you provide details of your relevant previous experience for this role within the Supporting Statement in the Application Form.

Closing date: 02/07/2021

If you require any further information please contact the North Wales Police Recruitment Team: SSF.Recruitment@nthwales.pnn.police.uk