Industrial nurses render first aid and treatment to injured or ill employees at

factories, mines, construction sites and other places of employment. They may, for example, sterilize, disinfect,and bandage minor cuts and burns. They may apply artificial respiration or administer oxygen in cases of suffocation or asphyxiation. They administer medications such as aspirin to relieve pain or antiseptic solution to prevent infection until patients can receive more intensive health care. They may monitor the taking of prescribed medicines and treatments for various illnesses. If the company or mine has an infirmary the industrial nurse may be required to change beds, clean equipment and generally keep the infirmary in an orderly condition. Industrial nurses also assist doctors who may be called out to attend emergency situations on site and have to keep personal and medical records of all employees

Roles of industrial nurse

Specialized/Unique Occupational Health Tasks 1. Workplace Surveillance and Health Risk Identification: The Occupational Health Nurse in collaboration with the members of the Safety Office conducts workplace surveillance, a term used to describe activities which determine whether groups of workers may be suffering actual or potential work related injury or illness. Occupational Health Nurse conducts workplace surveillance utilizing methods to detect, appraise, identify and manage health hazards and exposures to physical and chemical hazards at work.

Comprehensive interventions or programs to control all actual and potential health risks to employees and provide the worker with education of potential health risks and strategies to prevent injury and illness Intervention measures designed to prevent occurrences, monitor exposure and eliminate the problems Early detection of workplace hazards Health education for employees to reduce the likelihood of injury/illness Documentation of health and safety potential risks for each job activity Utilize statistics to indicate trends and target health risks

2. Health Surveillance: As part of health surveillance, the Occupational Health Nurse conducts activities which determine whether groups of workers may be suffering an occupational illness as a

result of exposure to a particular hazard or group of hazards. Health surveillance is always based on environmental assessments with exposures evaluated and documented. Examples of health risk assessment and medical surveillance include immunization for employees who are exposed to infectious biological agents. This includes those who come into contact with: animals, human blood or body fluids, certain bacteria and viruses used in research, communicable diseases etc

Reduction of workplace injuries/illnesses due to early detection of workplace hazards Reduction of financial costs associated with exposure to workplace hazards Increased knowledge of the workplace environment by the worker and employer Develop statistics to identify significant trends in occupational illness or injuries

3. Health Promotion and Protection: The Occupational Health nurse is responsible for employee health promotion and protection. This programming focuses on the prevention of illness/injury by promotion of health and well-being using strategies directed towards modifying the behaviour of individuals/groups and encouraging them to accept responsibility, in matters which affect their health and over which they have control, towards achieving a healthy lifestyle. Anticipatory interventions include strategies for protection from agents causing disease and /or hazards in the work environment and /or university community.

Enhancement of employee well-being by gaining knowledge of risk factors in the workplace Movement toward a state of optimal health by obtaining management commitment and policies to support development and provision of individual employee and work group programs Reduction of health risks by programs targeted to meet goals determined by needs assessment of individual workplace. Familiarity with community resources and skill in utilizing community resources such as posters, pamphlets, brochures, fact sheets, newsletters, health programs where applicable Individual knowledge of risk factors and preventative measures as a foundation for development and provision of health building programs such as smoking cessation, nutrition, hypertension, fitness, which in turn will provide a reduction of financial costs to both the employer and the health care system

Reduction of financial, psychological cost to the individual by timely referrals to the Employee Assistance Program when applicable

4. Primary Care: Primary care is the set of nursing actions that are provided to manage illness or functional challenges in the workplace. The goal is to prevent complications, promote recovery and facilitate rehabilitation of both occupational and non-occupational illness and injury. Primary care is based on the nursing process, on a theoretical base consistent with occupational health nursing practice, on knowledge of the health/illness continuum and on norms and deviations of the continuum.

Appropriate treatment, referral and follow-up so that an early return to work process, where indicated, can be initiated Reporting and recording: confidentiality ensured by utilizing the nursing process After obtaining an informed consent, investigating and addressing factors which influence progress to optimal functioning Promoting worker responsibility for self care which includes: health education in treatment (where appropriate), collaboration with other health disciplines (where indicated), maintain competence in emergency/primary care

5. Counselling: Counselling is the process of helping employees to clarify problems and make informed decisions and choices while giving positive reinforcement. It provides strategic interventions and appropriate referrals to deal with a crisis situation and time for the employee to reflect on impending decisions and evaluate actions taken. Counselling is a broad area that ranges from simple encouragement of clients who are motivated to make positive changes to health behaviour to providing direct care for clients in a crisis situation. The type of counselling offered is determined by the level of additional preparation and expertise of the nurse.

Safety of client and others in the situation is ensured Confidentiality is ensured Legal obligation to report criminal or dangerous situations (e.g. child abuse, harm to self or others) Client returns to optimal functioning Appropriate referral and follow-up are made Collaborate with internal and external resources

Use contracting and mutual goal setting to promote clients responsibility for self care Pursue continuous improvement of counselling ability through education

6. Rehabilitation/Case Management: Rehabilitation/Case Management is the process/provision of services necessary to restore an individual to the fullest physical, mental, emotional, social, vocational and economical independence of which they are capable. Rehabilitation cases may be either work or non-work related. Rehabilitation includes preventative processes whereby the Occupational Health Nurse implements knowledge gained from research studies/epidemiological studies within the workplace and work culture.

Return of individual to maximum ability to function in physical, mental, emotional, social, vocational and economical areas by utilizing community resources, referral agencies Increased individual self-esteem and morale, especially with the modified return to work program when applicable Participates in facilitated meetings following the RTW Principles when workplace stress/issues are prime reason for absence. Reduced WSIB assessments and insurance premiums WSIB penalty avoidance Improved corporate culture and morale (good corporate citizens) Well established modified work programs by co-ordinating the return to work to the pre-illness level of the individual through positive communication with all parties involved Maintain/document statistics to support programs

REPORT Role of industrial nurse

Submitted by: Acero,Riezel G. Alpuerto,Divine Baniga,Haide Mae

Submitted to: Mrs. Emily C. Albacte RN MN

Date: November 14,2012