Rank: Forum user 
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Hi All
I am considering recruiting an Occupational Health Advisor to replace the current contracted out service we have.
Does anyone employ or work with an OHA? I'm looking for some ideas on what duties they perform and expected salaries.
Thanks
Danny
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Rank: Super forum user
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Danny - have sent PM.
Points to consider: the Occ Health Physician role. The need to cover for absences of the OHA. Line management and support for the OHA.
Using a contracted provider gets around these. The specification can always be re-negotiated.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Danny
I would suggest you approach this from the other direction.
Why do I need an occupational health advisor? What do I want the OH adviser to do for me? This will depend to some extent on the nature of the organisation you work for and the hazards to health that that person will need to advise on. There will be a great difference between an OH advisor in the offices of an insurance company and one working in a heavy engineering plant, hospital or pharmaceutical manufacturing plant or construction site.
What are your health hazards? How can the OH advisor help you with these?
Once you have decided what you need them for, then it should become clear whether you need an occupational physician or an occupational health nurse - or possibly both.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Danny27 wrote:Hi All
I am considering recruiting an Occupational Health Advisor to replace the current contracted out service we have.
Does anyone employ or work with an OHA? I'm looking for some ideas on what duties they perform and expected salaries.
You have mail
Thanks
Danny
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Rank: Super forum user 
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My organisation has looked at exactly this, we are a large national organisation with site from York in the north to Plymouth in the South, we have 500+ emplyees BUT after close consideration it is not financially viable to employee a OH advisor FT, we have opted for the acquisition of an individual that we can contract for specific use and part time hours.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I assume you are thinking about an OH Nurse, so you would need to ensure the individual is actually qualified in that discipline, as many who carry out that role in UK are not! You also need to consider how the individual would be 'clinically supervised' by a competent OH Physician.
Any service you are planning should meet a recognised standard, which is why the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) have a documented quality standard for OH Services (free from their website). That doesn't cover the question of the required service scope, mentioned by others above, but it does set standards for how the service is delivered.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I have occupational health that attend our site once a month, they carryout hearing tests, lung function tests, medicals for drivers, night workers medicals, etc, it all depends on what type of work your employees do. Some companies who work with lead etc, then employees might need to have blood tests, at certain intervals. Occupational health is a good thing, shop around to get the best price,
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: New forum user
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Maybe have a chat to a local independent OH practitioner and undertake a needs assessment to find your specific requirements............ www.abcnorthwest.co.uk
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Rank: Forum user
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Many thanks one and all, very useful feedback.
Danny
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Rank: Forum user
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I've worked with both and pros and cons for boths.
Outsourced company had lots of information/services but nothing was for free and even cover for absence was patchy.
Inhouse adviser knows more about the actual business and real issues plus can develop worthwhile relationships with HR etc more easily. Absences were covered by temps she knew/organised and worked well if planned in advance for hols etc.
Definitely need to decide what you want them to achieve or carry out eg absence management, return to work programmes, setting up other services eg EAP assistance or physio, medicals, health surveillance, Business traveller and drivers, counselling, DSE Assessor, MH instrutor and wellbeing promotions?
Would recommend measuring performance too in terms of no of visits, reports etc.
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