| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Environment, Health and Safety |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | EHS Manager |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 2 to 6 years in occupational or clinical health |
Occupational Health Officer job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Occupational Health Officer
Department: Environment, Health and Safety
Reports to: EHS Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Occupational Health Officer looks after the health of workers at a plant or site, running health checks, first aid, and health promotion. They conduct pre employment and periodic medical examinations, run the occupational health centre, manage first aid and treat minor ailments, and keep health records. The role reports to the EHS Manager or factory medical officer. A good occupational health officer keeps health surveillance on schedule, responds well to medical emergencies, spots work related health problems early, and keeps confidential, accurate health records.
Key responsibilities
- Conduct pre employment and periodic medical examinations for workers.
- Run the occupational health centre and treat minor ailments and injuries.
- Provide first aid and coordinate emergency medical response on site.
- Maintain confidential medical and health surveillance records for workers.
- Support health surveillance linked to workplace exposures with the hygienist.
- Run health promotion, awareness and vaccination programmes for the workforce.
- Support fitness for work assessments and return to work after illness.
- Coordinate the annual health checkups required under the OSH Code.
- Manage medical supplies, equipment and the first aid network.
- Report health trends and concerns to EHS and management.
Requirements
- MBBS or BSc Nursing with occupational health training
- AFIH certificate is an advantage
- Registration where required
- 2 to 6 years in occupational or clinical health
KRAs and KPIs for a Occupational Health Officer
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Health surveillance | Pre employment and periodic examinations completed on schedule for the workforce |
| Emergency response | Medical emergencies responded to within the target time on site |
| Record confidentiality | Medical records kept confidential and accurate with no breach |
| Health promotion | Health awareness and vaccination programmes run to the annual plan |
| Early detection | Work related health issues identified early through surveillance |
| First aid readiness | First aid network and supplies kept ready across the site |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Occupational health centre equipment, Audiometer and spirometer, First-aid and emergency kit, Health record system, Vision testing tools.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Occupational Health Officer, Factory Medical Officer, Occupational Health Lead
Interview questions for a Occupational Health Officer
- How do you plan and run periodic medical examinations for a workforce?
- How do you respond to a medical emergency on the shop floor?
- How do you keep worker medical records confidential?
- How do you link health surveillance to workplace exposures?
- How do you assess fitness for work after a long illness?
- Tell me about a work related health issue you detected early.
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What does an occupational health officer do?
An occupational health officer looks after the health of workers at a plant or site. They conduct pre employment and periodic medical examinations, run the occupational health centre, provide first aid and emergency response, and keep confidential health records. They run health surveillance and promotion and spot work related health problems early.
What qualifications do you need to be an occupational health officer?
Most occupational health officers hold an MBBS or a BSc Nursing with occupational health training, and an Associate Fellow of Industrial Health certificate is an advantage. Registration is required where the state mandates it. Employers look for clinical skill, emergency response, health surveillance experience, and the discipline to keep confidential records.
Are annual health checkups required for workers?
Under the OSH Code, employers must arrange annual health checkups for workers as prescribed. An occupational health officer plans and runs this health surveillance, keeps the records, and links findings to workplace exposures. This helps detect work related health problems early and supports the worker's fitness and wellbeing.