Occupational Health Nursing Descriptions

OCHS 1 Occupational Hygiene and Health Surveillance

The Registered Nurses’ role in health surveillance of workers is vital to health, safety, productivity and health promotion in the workplace on and off the job. Biological, chemical, and physical agents are introduced in relevant context. Essential labour legislation is included. Instructor: Jill Row

OCHS 2 Occupational Toxicology and Health Surveillance

Recognition and control of toxic hazards in the workplace are fully explored, with special focus on designated or controlled substances. Implication for management and workers are discussed regarding legislative requirements for health and safety. (e.g. understandingWHMIS andWHMIS classes and divisions and preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets). Instructor: Sheila Coutts

OCHS 3 Ongoing Health Status Assessment

Concepts of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention are applied to occupational and nonoccupational health problems in the worker population. The Registered Nurses’ role in health promotion includes history taking, physical, mental and psychosocial status assessment. Relevant diagnostic testing is stressed. Physical examination of the ear, eye, respiratory, musculoskeletal and nervous systems are practiced, using programmed education. Concepts of epidemiological investigation are included. Instructor: Jill Row

OCHS 4 Accident Prevention and Disaster Planning

Causes of accidents, complex and/or multifactorial, will be examined. Relevant approaches from organizational psychology, education psychology, ergonomics and total loss control concepts will be studied as a means for accident prevention. The responsibility of the Registered Nurse in emergency care of severe injuries is described and demonstrated. Disaster preparedness will be fully explored. Instructor: Jill Row

OCHS 5 Counselling and Health Education

Techniques of interviewing and counselling are illustrated and practiced in pairs. Structure and purpose of employment, performance appraisal, discipline, counselling, termination and health care interviews are explored. Concepts of crisis and crisis intervention are applied to assist the“troubled” worker and his/her significant other. Instructor: Sheila Coutts

OCHS 6 Professional Growth and Development

The focus is the Registered Nurse’s role in developing, managing and evaluating Employee Health Nursing Services. Professional growth to meet expanding parameters of Occupational Health Nursing in the information society is stressed. Labour relations are included and collective bargaining is simulated. The nurse’s impartiality towards management and labour is emphasized. Descriptive statistics used as an essential part of nursing reports to management is included. Instructor: Sheila Coutts

OCHS 7 Field Work

Field work is defined as any activity outside the classroom or laboratory setting and may include projects, assignments, workshops/seminars, field visits and work experience in the Occupational Health Nursing Field. Instructor: Jill Row