Occupational Health Nurses describes an occupational health nurse as someone who “provides for and delivers health and safety programs and services to workers, worker populations and community groups.
Where Do Occupational Health Nurses Work?
Roles of Occupational health nurses (OHNs) are highly diverse. OHNs can be clinicians, educators, case managers, consultants, or corporate managers. Some occupational health nurses will choose to remain in hospital settings so as to help develop and implement safety procedures; however, most will find employment outside of typical medical facilities, designing structured security protocols and healthy living guidelines for a wide variety of organizations across the country.
What Does an Occupational Health Nurse Do?
When an employee claims that an illness or injury is work-related, an occupational health nurse (OHN) will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. They might look at an employee’s medical records to determine whether or not the injury or illness could have been caused by a hazard inherent to a particular workplace environment.
What are the continuing education requirements?
Continuing education is required of all occupational health nurses. The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) requires that occupational nurses complete 50 contact hours related to occupational health practice every five years. It may be helpful to consult the COHN/COHN-S recertification handbook.
Incredible Health offers free nursing CEUs. Courses are accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
What are the salary and job outlook?
According to the most updated information from the South Africa. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2020), the average annual salary for RNs is R 1138469.68. The highest wage earners worked for government agencies, with annual salaries around R 1269500.24
What Are the Roles and Duties of an Occupational Health Nurse?
The OHN’s responsibilities have expanded immensely to encompass a wide range of job duties, including (but not limited to):
Tending to injuries
Administering medication
Performing physical examinations
Performing rehabilitation therapy after certain injuries
Vision tests
Hearing tests
Drug or alcohol screenings
Counseling employees on physical and mental health issues and guiding them toward community resources and employee assistance programs
Coordinating and delivering services and programs
Counseling employees on physical and psychological health concerns and guiding them toward community resources and employee assistance programs
What are the Continuing Education Requirements for Occupational Health Nurses?
Occupational Health Nurses have the same continuing education requirements as other RNs. This will vary on a state by state basis. There are no specific CEU requirements for Occupational health nurses unless they have obtained advanced certification.
The COHN and COHN-S certifications require 50 Continuing Nursing Education continuing education hours related to occupational health earned within the previous 5 years to maintain certification.
How to Become An Occupational Health Nurse In South Africa
Before you can work as an occupational health nurse, you must first become a licensed RN.
Then, you must attend an accredited nursing program and graduate with a BSN or ADN.
Once you have earned your nursing degree, you must pass the NCLEX-RN.
Then you must complete at least two years of professional nursing experience. Ideally, you will want to choose a position that specializes in occupational health nursing so you can gain on-the-job experience.
Before you can work as an occupational health nurse independently, you must become certified.
There are two certifications available: Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) or Certified Occupational Health Nurse – Specialist (COHN-S).
Occupational health nurses can only hold one certification. COHN and COHN-S are similar. The main difference is that COHN-S certification emphasizes administration over clinical practice. Regardless of which option you choose, you must renew your certification every five years.
How long does it take to become an occupational health nurse In South Africa?
Occupational Health Nursing Education
Typically, OHNs hold a 4-year bachelor’s degree in nursing and gain experience as occupational health nurses before entering the field. Many decide to go back to school to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialty in public health or a related field.
What does an occupational health nursing do In South Africa?
As an occupational and environmental health nurse, you’ll deliver health and safety programs and services to workers, worker populations and community groups. The practice focuses on promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury, and protection from work-related and environmental hazards.
How do you become an occupational health?
Entry requirements
You will need to be a registered adult, child, learning disability or mental health nurse to apply for occupational health nursing posts. You may also choose to take an approved programme in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing – Occupational Health Nursing (SCPHN – OHN).
How do I become an occupational health nurse in South Africa?
Minimum Admission Requirements
Have been granted advanced standing via RPL (Rule G10B). Be registered with the South African Nursing Council as a General Nurse and Midwife. Have 2 years or more post registration experience as general nurse and midwife. Have proof of professional indemnity.
Are Occupational Health Nurses in demand In South Africa?
In Alberta, the 3012: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.6% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 1361 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
What qualifications does an occupational health advisor need?
The NEBOSH Diploma takes approximately seven full weeks worth of study to obtain, and is the qualification most commonly required for Occupational Health/Health and Safety management and senior advisor roles.
What does the focus of occupational health nursing include?
Occupational Health Nursing focuses on the promotion of safety and wellness in a workplace environment. They help prevent injuries and illness as a result of workplace-related incidences and work closely with both employees and employers to ensure all federal and state mandates are met.
What jobs can I get with a degree in occupational health and safety?
Careers Related to Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians[About this section] [To Top]
Construction and Building Inspectors.
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists.
Fire Inspectors.
Health and Safety Engineers
Is occupational health nursing autonomous?
Occupational Health Nursing practice is autonomous, and occupational health nurses make independent nursing judgments in providing occupational health services.