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Moving into Health & Safety from an NHS Background
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ScottRoberts1995  
#1 Posted : 23 October 2017 13:43:49(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
ScottRoberts1995

I was wondering if anyone on here has any experience going into H&S from an NHS background? Or whether anyone knows of the possibilities in the NHS if someone was to go down the H&S route?

A little bit of background, this is not a post for myself but one for my mother. My mother currently works in the NHS as a midwife and has done so for the past three years since graduating. In all honesty I don't believe it's what she thought it would be like after having such a desire to pursue this career. I am just trying to see whether anyone has any experience in changing career like this and if so what section of Health & Safety would people feel would have the best cross over for her experience.

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6foot4  
#2 Posted : 23 October 2017 14:54:28(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
6foot4

Hello.  Yes, it is possible to transition  from being a medical person to someone who supports other functions in a NHS organisation through delivering a H&S role and many have done so.  In many instances, persons with on the ground experience can offer a lot of value in a H&S role.  However, ideally they are best advised to top up qualifications with those that have a H&S focus.

A good place to start would be:

NEBOSH General Certificate

This could open the door to a very entry level role.

Longer term though, it would be preferable to complete a degree or diploma that would help achieve Grad IOSH and put the holder on the path to Chartered Membership.

For example this could be:

BSc in H&S from a recognised Univesity (2 to 4 years to complete)

NCRQ diploma (6 to 18 months to complete)

British Safety Council level 6 diploma (1 to 2 years to complete)

NEBOSH Diploma (1 to 2 years to complete)

Post Grad Diploma/Masters Degree (MSc, MRes, MA) from a recognised University (Usually 2 to 3 years to complete)

There are no short cuts unfortunately, although sometimes there is a bit of luck involved with being in the right place at the right time and being able to develop some experience in a role, before undertaking any substational further study.

Most NHS trusts have large estates/facilities teams where H&S is a fundamental consideration.  There are many H&S Advisors/Officers/Managers to be found supporting these elements of NHS organisations.

From an operational point of view there is usually an Occupational Health department - but that is generally a different career path.

Also, there is patient safety and medical practitioner safety, which I suppose is another topic altogether, and H&S is built into the various protocols etc.  There is sometimes room for H&S professionals to get involved with this - although strictly speaking, persons with a medical background are better suited for this.

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ScottRoberts1995 on 24/10/2017(UTC)
ShaunBaker91  
#3 Posted : 24 October 2017 14:25:53(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
ShaunBaker91

Hello

I was in a similar boat, I pursued chemical engineering and decided after 4 years working in the trade I wanted to undertake health and safety, I went on to complete the NEBOSH certificate and gain experience as a safety advisor before moving onto health and safety assistant, I am now working towards the NCRQ Level 6 Diploma (Degree equivalent) and the NEBOSH environmental Diploma and currently work as a Health and Safety Advisor.

I Feel that the NEBOSH Certificate is The better option as its more widely recognised the only issue is the choice when is comes to further qualification as there are alot of options available.

I am enjoying the NCRQ as its based on case study and assignments rather than 3 hour examinations but as i said i choose NCRQ and NEBOSH together as I am studying applied health and safety through NCRQ and Environmental through NEBOSH (so have to suffer a 3hour exam).

Main issues with educational choice is the funding NCRQ and NEBOSH offer instalments where as BSC and MSC can be student loan funded.

another of the issues is time taken university is a 2-4 year process and if you go NCRQ you can complete in 18months easy and gain 2 level 6 certificates and a level 6 diploma.

hope this helps a little although my transition wasn't as great a step as NHS to H&S.

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ScottRoberts1995 on 24/10/2017(UTC)
lorna  
#4 Posted : 25 October 2017 11:37:38(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
lorna

I've spent most of my career in social care & the NHS, now in Education but started in enforcement. Personally, I've always considered NEBOSH to be more aimed at the traditional manufacturing, construction, heavy industry side of health & safety rather than the 'softer', more people orientated issues found in the sectors I've worked in. Yes, I do have to explain - on every application form & to every agency - that (shock, horror) it is possible to be CMIOSH without a NEBOSH Diploma.

I'd suggest doing some research & finding either the course that's closer to the work you want to do or will give you transferable skills - something my Environmental Health degree definitely gave me. However, and another personal opinion, if you already have a nursing qualification, Occupational Health may be the way to go - less competition, potentially better pay (most NHS H&S advisors I know are Band 5)...
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ScottRoberts1995 on 27/10/2017(UTC)
Maz969  
#5 Posted : 25 October 2017 16:16:42(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Maz969
Hiya

I currently work in the NHS as a Health & Safety Advisor and have done for 7 years. There isnt much scope for progression at band 7 seems to be where it stops which would be an Advisor role. There are however a number of roles, Health & Safety, Fire and Manual Handling. Health & Safety sits in various directorates dependant upon the Trust, some its in Estates & Facilities, others it sits with Patient Safety. I sit within Risk & Clinical Governance.

A good starting point would be to speak to the union, RCM i think, and become a union appointed safety representative. My understanding is that most unions will support members through a union health & safety training course. Once completed you become an official rep and carry out duties alongside and in conjunction with the Trust Advisors. I have a number operating alongside me from RCN, Unite, Unison and Society of Radiographers. Once you have that you can start being operational and gain experience which all the qualifications in the world cannot give you. Healthcare is very unforgiving and you need to know how to implement your knowledge.

Next look at the NEBOSH certificate which alongside experieince would get you to and Officer or Supporting role. If you want to become an Advisor you will need the NEBOSH Diploma at least or equivalent for fire, manual handling, depending if you want to specialise. I am nearer the end of my career path now and there is little point in working past the diploma in the NHS in my opinion. A masters or Chartered membership wont get you any higher up the tree but it will or might do if you wish to pursue a career outside the NHS.

Another route to travel would be Risk and CLinical Governance - that deals mainly with patient safety. Look at Governance Facilitator roles - they dont just do safety stuff but it is encompassed in the role. Might be worth speaking to the Governance Lead or Patient Safety.

If you want anything further am happy to discuss off the forum. Its a hell of a job in the NHS I have to say as H&S is not the focus but patient safety is. There is a lot of scope in that direction - from governance through to director of nursing. Look at the organisational structure not just for nursing but the A&C grades.

Hope that helps. I do love this job though but its tough and you will need experience not just qualifications.

Maz
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ScottRoberts1995 on 27/10/2017(UTC)
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