Posted By Lorraine Johnston I started off with my Nebosh GC four years ago. I have almost completed my NVQ 4; I have been a full time health and safety advisor for a large engineering company for over three years. My previous experience includes 6 years working in Social Care (I have my HNC Social Care), over 20 years concurrent experience as a volunteer first aid officer attending major public duties and delivering first aid training as a "HEARTSTART" instructor and have over 8 years experience working in hospitals, nursing homes, respite and palliative care as a care/nursing assistant. I have also attained quite a few relevant qualifications over the last three years such as DSE assessor; Manual Handling assessor; Accident Investigation; Behavioural Safety to name but a few. My boss has suggested that I need a further qualification in Occupational health - can anyone advise? In my role I do not and would not diagnose, prescribe or offer advice on treatment of ill-health or injury etc, I am merely a first or at times, a second point of contact for our staff to get some initial advice on their condition and what they should do. I am not a nurse nor an Occupational Therapist but an "Occupational H&S Advisor" and as such I use a multi-disciplinary approach to use our internal and external agencies to assist the employee in whatever way best fits their problem. This often includes arranging for an external ergonomic assessor to visit them at their workstation or to assist them use the company's private medical insurance or medical rehabilitation team. Does anyone know of what other qualification I would need to undertake this role? I am Tech IOSH at the moment and will be Chartered within the next few months. I would appreciate any help or suggestions. Lorraine

Posted By Lorraine Johnston Sean, Yes, unintentionally I was quite misleading - I have been doing my CPD over the last couple of years and will be submitting that with my completed NVQ and yes, I may have to become Grad IOSH prior to becoming Chartered. Can you help with my orginal enquiry? Thanks

Posted By Lorraine Johnston Sean, I would want to keep my general H&S remit too as I deal with general H&S enquiries too. Thanks PS You didn't provide your email address.

Posted By Chris Packham As someone who works primarily in a specialised area of occupational health my understanding of this is that it is to a large extent a health (e.g. medical) based speciality. Occupational health nurses and occupational physicians are medically trained first, then specialise in occupational health. So whilst you may be able to gain an insight into this aspect of health and safety, how far would you wish to go? I hasten to add that I am not medically qualified. (However, I do have some 28 years experience in my particular specialised field and provide training for occupational health nurses and occupational physicians.) My main activity is in prevention of occupational ill health. If it is this aspect that you wish to become trained in then that is fine, but be careful. You will find that pressure is exerted (as it is often on me) to act in a quasi-medical capacity, which is what you will be neither trained nor qualified to do. If you would like more feel free to call me on 01386 832 311 or e-mail me direct. Chris