Foundations of Occupational Health Nursing
Course Length: 1.5 hour sessions over 5 weeks
Intended Audience:
New and recent graduates in nursing and medical assisting
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and case managers seeking to expand their knowledge in occupational medicine
Healthcare professionals transitioning to occupational medicine
Medical and health professionals looking to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in occupational healthcare
Learning Objectives:
Describe the Scope of Occupational Health:
- Legal and regulatory frameworks (OSHA, HIPAA, Workers Compensation, FMLA)
- Difference between occupational medicine and traditional clinical care
- Preventive focus of occupational health
Recognize Workplace Hazards and Risks:
- Types of hazards (chemical, biological, physical, psychosocial)
- Risk assessment and exposure evaluation methodologies
- Hierarchy of controls
Perform Occupational Health Assessments:
- Pre-placement health screenings
- Fitness for duty evaluations
- Post-exposure/injury assessments
- Surveillance programs (e.g., hearing tests, respiratory exams)
Manage Occupational Injuries and Illnesses:
- Basic first-aid and emergency response
- Case management and return-to-work coordination
- Understanding disability determination process
Develop Health Promotion and Education Programs:
- Wellness initiatives (smoking cessation, ergonomics, etc.)
- Hazard communication and safety training
- Immunization programs
- Employee education materials
Course Structure:
Module 1: Introduction to Occupational Health
- History and evolution of the field
- Roles and responsibilities of occupational health nurses
- Key regulatory bodies and legislation
Module 2: Hazard Identification and Risk Management
- Walkthroughs of common workplace settings (manufacturing, office, healthcare)
- Identifying potential hazards
- Risk assessment tools and strategies
Module 3: Occupational Health Assessments
- Protocols for different types of assessments
- Documentation and recordkeeping
- Interpreting lab results and diagnostic tests
Module 4: Injury and Illness Management
- Triage and treatment protocols
- Collaboration with physicians, case managers, and other stakeholders
- Understanding workers' compensation and disability processes
- Employer Economics Managing Workers Compensation Injury Care
Module 5: Health Promotion and Education
- Adult learning principles
- Developing effective educational materials
- Program planning and evaluation
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Teaching Methods:
- Lectures and discussions
- Case studies and scenarios
- Simulations (e.g., mock pre-placement assessments)
- Guest speakers (COHNs, physicians specializing in occupational medicine, safety professionals)
Evaluation:
- Written exam or quizzes
- Skills demonstration (assessments, first aid)
- Case study analysis
- Development of a health promotion plan
Additional Considerations:
- Mentorship: Connect new nurses with experienced occupational health nurses for guidance.
- Certification: Encourage nurses to pursue certifications like the COHN (Certified Occupational Health Nurse) once they have sufficient experience.
Interested instructors:
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