What is a primary responsibility of an Occupational Health Nurse?

The primary responsibility of an Occupational Health Nurse is to promote and maintain health in the workplace. This role involves assessing the work environment, identifying potential health risks, and implementing strategies to minimize these risks in order to ensure the overall well-being of employees. Occupational health nurses play a crucial role in developing health programs and policies that address workplace safety, ergonomics, and employee health education.

In contrast, performing surgical procedures is not within the scope of practice for an Occupational Health Nurse, as this requires specialized training and credentials typically associated with surgeons or surgical nurses. Conducting health research in laboratories is also outside the typical responsibilities of this role, which leans more towards clinical and preventive health within the workplace setting. Managing patient care in hospitals is another area of nursing practice that focuses on acute care rather than occupational health, which deals primarily with the prevention and management of work-related injuries and illnesses.