The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has published two guidance documents for occupational health professionals.
“Roles and responsibilities of occupational health support workers” and “Occupational health nursing: career and competence development” have been published on the RCN website and the college will also be circulating the guidance to members through relevant newsletters.
The roles and responsibilities guidance document outlines best practice in this area, including a summary discussion of the RCN consultation process and the outcomes, definitions and parameters of the OH support worker role, training pathways and supervision.
The OH nursing guidance updates existing documentation to take account of developments such as Dame Carol Black’s 2008 review of workplace health, Working for a healthier tomorrow, the Government’s evolving strategy for public health and the introduction of the fit note in 2010.
It also maps occupational health nursing against six core and 16 specific competencies.
