The Occupational Health Services
Occupational health services are critical to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. This helps prevent injuries and reduce workers' compensation insurance premiums. Among other benefits, occupational health providers can help assess employee safety needs and evaluate work-related injuries. They can also play a role in other preventive healthcare efforts, such as smoking cessation programs.
Meridian occupational health services can be offered in many medical center settings. A hospital's OHS department, for example, can be responsible for evaluating and treating employees injured at the job site. It can provide case management and help ensure that patients who need treatment return to useful function within the organization.
The first step in developing an effective occupational health program is to identify hazards. Hazards can come from environmental exposures, such as radon or carbon monoxide, to physical hazards, such as heat stress or carpentry. In addition, a variety of potentially toxic chemicals may be found in the workplace. These hazards include anes, anesthetics, radioactive isotopes, biologic agents, and more.
In addition to conducting medical evaluations and treatments, an occupational physician should be an active member of the health care team. This involves communicating with other members of the medical staff and assisting them in their clinical practices. He or she should also be involved in communications with human resources (HR) and purchasing departments.
When assessing the needs of an individual, the OHS should focus on whether or not the employee is capable of performing the tasks required by the position. If the employee is not, the OHS can make recommendations and establish a path for returning the person to work. Similarly, an employer can require that the employee undergo an occupational evaluation prior to a new job.
Occupational physicians are required to have a broad understanding of the medical profession and the occupational medicine specialty. They should also be familiar with the local licensing requirements for the health care profession in which the patient is working. An OHS should be able to communicate with other providers and employers and keep all parties informed about a patient's status.
In order to implement an effective program, the OHS needs to establish specific protocols and guidelines. For example, the OHS should have a clear relationship with the administration and the nursing staff. Moreover, it should have an agreement with HR. Assigning a nurse case manager to monitor the medical records of an employee will make it easier to keep the employee's health needs in mind.
Regardless of the nature of an illness or injury, the OHS should provide the employee with a plan for treatment. In the case of a repetitive motion disorder, surveillance should be a priority. Likewise, the OHS should be able to arrange for 24-hour coverage.
After an employee is cleared for employment, the OHS should conduct an evaluation of the employee's fitness for the position. The employer may need to authorize the evaluation, and the employee should be notified.
Depending on the nature of the injury or illness, the OHS should have the ability to communicate with other health professionals and the employer. It may require face-to-face evaluations before the employee can resume his or her job. Get a general overview of the topic here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_counsellor.