Company Nurse Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a company nurse. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a company nurse.
Who is a Company Nurse?
A company nurse, also known as an occupational health nurse, is a registered nurse who treats work-related injuries and health problems. He or she may provide medical services to workers in a variety of occupations, including factory personnel, miners, construction workers, and office staff. In addition, the company nurse may attempt to prevent future injuries and illnesses by inspecting workplaces, ensuring compliance with standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and training workers in risk management.
Company nurses are specially trained to treat common workplace injuries, such as back sprains, and to develop continuing care plans. They may suggest that workers take time off to rest, use protective equipment or seek additional medical care. In the workplace, nurses ensure that OSHA regulations are still being followed, and if they are not, they suggest steps the company can take to come into compliance. In addition, company nurses often provide counseling and crisis intervention for individuals with excessive stress, mental health issues, or substance abuse.
Most nurses work in hospitals, public health clinics, ambulatory care centers, and private practices. Those who work in doctors’ offices and ambulatory care centers usually work regular hours, although nurses in hospitals and other 24-hour facilities may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays, and to be on call for emergencies. Sometimes a large company or factory will hire a full-time or part-time nurse to work on their premises to ensure safe working conditions and to provide emergency care when needed.
Becoming a company nurse usually requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university, although many employers prefer to hire nurses with a master’s degree. Before beginning to practice in the United States, a company nurse must obtain a license in her home state by passing a licensing exam. Certification is generally not a requirement for company nurses, although many choose to complete the certification program offered by the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses. Certified nurses often have more job and career opportunities. Other countries generally have similar licensing and certification requirements for nurses.
Continuing education courses provide company nurses with the latest information on regulations, techniques, and equipment. Ongoing education, experience, and perseverance often allow nurses to move into management or administrative positions. Some nurses decide to pursue a doctorate to become occupational health practitioners.
Company Nurse Job Description
Below are the company nurse job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a company nurse include the following:
- Collaborating with physicians and other members of the medical team to develop treatment plans for patients
- Conducting environmental, chemical, ergonomic, and other workplace risk assessments.
- Liaising with insurance companies and workers’ compensation boards on behalf of patients or employers.
- Performing physical examinations such as EKG, spirometry, hearing tests, and urine tests.
- Training employees on topics such as first aid, hazmat awareness, and ergonomics.
- Coordinating workplace safety programs such as accident prevention, fire prevention, and OSHA compliance.
- Developing, implementing, and monitoring plans for the treatment of injured workers in the workplace.
- Identifying potential occupational hazards in the workplace and making recommendations for risk reduction
- Interviewing workers about work conditions and practices that may affect their health, such as noise levels, chemical exposure, lighting, temperature, humidity, and time spent sitting or standing.
- Developing and implementing health and safety programs.
- Providing emergency care in the workplace.
- Prescribing over-the-counter medications to employees.
- Improving employee health through ongoing programs and health screenings.
- Developing strategies for employees to get the most out of their work.
- Communicating regularly with management.
- Creating a clean and comfortable nursing area.
- Promoting healthy eating and wellness programs.
- Documenting all employee injuries and illnesses and keeping this information confidential.
- Participating in workshops on HIV/AIDS, gender sensitivity, family planning, and stress management.
Qualifications
Company nurses should have the following qualifications:
Education
Most employers require company nurses to have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing, occupational health, or a related field. Some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree in nursing.
Many nursing programs include courses in occupational health, so students can gain the knowledge they need to work in this field. Some of the topics they can study include occupational nursing, occupational health assessment, occupational nursing activities, and occupational nursing practice.
Training and Experience
Most employers require newly employed nurses to complete a training program. These programs typically last six months to two years and teach the basics of the profession, including performing health checks, recognizing and treating common occupational injuries, and recognizing and treating common occupational diseases.
Certification and Licenses
Once you complete your training, you can apply for certification to demonstrate your skills and qualifications to employers.
Essential Skills
- Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. OHCN often works with patients who are in pain, discomfort, or anxiety. Empathy can help you connect with patients and help them feel more comfortable. It will also allow you to explain treatment options in a way they understand. For example, if you are explaining why they need to take their medication regularly, you can use sympathetic words, “I know it can be hard for you to remember to take these pills every day, but it will help you stay healthy.”
- Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to analyze a situation and make decisions that are most likely to lead to success. Company nurses often use critical thinking when evaluating a patient’s condition, treatment plans, and outcomes. For example, a company nurse may notice that a patient’s blood pressure levels are steadily increasing over time and decide to change the medication or alter other aspects of the treatment plan.
- Employee Health
Often, company nurses work with employees to help them improve their overall health. This may include providing resources and advice on how to adopt a healthier lifestyle, or suggesting that they see their primary care physician to treat an existing condition. Other employee health skills include being aware of employer-sponsored benefits and explaining these options to employees who want to learn more.
- Substance Abuse Testing
Substance abuse is a common problem for many patients, and as a company nurse, you may be responsible for providing substance abuse treatment. This requires knowledge of the different types of substances that people abuse, knowing how to recognize the signs of addiction, and treating it effectively. You can also use your occupational health skills to help employers develop workplace substance abuse policies and provide resources to employees who need them.
- Communication
Communication is the ability to convey information in a way that others can understand. This skill is important for company nurses, who often explain medical conditions and treatment options to patients. It is also essential for communicating with other members of the treatment team, such as physicians or physical therapists.
Communication skills are especially helpful in explaining complex topics, such as medication side effects or rehabilitation techniques. Strong communication skills will allow you to communicate this information so that your patients can make informed decisions about their treatment.
- Injury Prevention
In occupational health, you may be responsible for creating and implementing workplace safety programs. This involves assessing risks in the workplace or environment and developing strategies to minimize them. For example, if employees are at risk of injury due to repetitive stress from certain tasks, you can suggest equipment modifications or procedures that will reduce that risk.
- Patient Education
Patient education is an important skill for company nurses, as they often work with patients who are unaware of their condition. For example, if a patient has carpal tunnel syndrome, the nurse can explain how it affects the body and what treatment options are available. This allows the patient to understand their condition and make informed decisions about their treatment.
- OSHA Rules
OSHA rules are guidelines that company nurses use to ensure a safe workplace for employees. These rules include standards for employee training, safety equipment, and emergency response procedures. A thorough understanding of OSHA’s rules will help you create an effective workplace safety plan and effectively train your employees.
- Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is a skill that will help you do your job well. As a company nurse, you may be required to review patients’ medical histories and assess their health conditions. Attention to detail will help you identify important information about a patient’s history or current condition, so you can make accurate treatment recommendations. It can also help record the progress of patients’ treatment.
- Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are abilities you possess when interacting with others. They include empathy, compassion, and kindness, as well as active listening, patience, and assertiveness. Interpersonal skills can help you in your role as a company nurse, as they allow you to connect with patients and colleagues. You may also find that strong interpersonal skills can make it easier for you to resolve work conflicts or problems that a patient may encounter.
- Flexibility
Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As a company nurse, you may be required to work with patients who have special needs or schedules. Flexibility allows you to adapt your approach and make changes when necessary. For example, if a patient’s condition changes suddenly, you may need to modify your treatment plan or change direction to ensure they receive the care they need.
- Fitness-for-Duty Evaluation
Fitness-for-duty assessments are an important part of a company nurse’s job. These assessments determine if employees can continue to work in their current position and if they need accommodations to do so. This is especially important when it comes to safety-related work, where employers may require employees to maintain a certain level of fitness to ensure the safety of others.
How to Become a Company Nurse
- Get a nursing degree
Most employers require you to become a registered nurse before you can apply for a nursing job. You can become a registered nurse by earning a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree in nursing. Both programs offer general education courses, as well as more advanced knowledge for patient care in the workplace. You can take a wide range of courses taught both in the field and in the classroom, including anatomy, nutrition, microbiology, and chemistry.
- Take the nursing exam
Once you’ve completed your studies, you can take the NCLEX-RN exam. This exam tests you on the topics you studied in your program to ensure that you are prepared and able to work successfully as a registered nurse. Once you pass this exam, you will be able to obtain the qualifications necessary to become a registered nurse.
- Obtaining an advanced degree
Although most employers do not require it, some may prefer that you obtain a master’s degree in nursing. You could also study a similar field, such as public health or business, to learn how common environments work so you can better understand how to keep them safe. Earning this degree and having it listed on your resume can catch the attention of employers and show them that you have advanced knowledge of protecting employees from potential hazards, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace.
- Gain experience in the workplace
Becoming a company nurse typically requires several years of relevant work experience. You can gain general work experience as a nurse by working in clinical, company, or teaching hospitals. Some employers also choose to have prospective company nurses complete on-the-job training offered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. This will give you hands-on experience in your field so that you can better understand how to respond to and treat certain workplace issues when they arise.
- Get Certified
Most states require professional nurses to be certified by the American Board of Nursing in occupational health and safety. To become certified, you must become a registered nurse and have at least 3,000 hours of experience in the occupational health field. You can also meet the professional qualifications if you have earned a relevant degree. Once you have met these requirements, you can take the company nursing exam, which tests the knowledge you have gained through your education or practical work experience.
After meeting all these requirements, you will be able to work as a certified company nurse.
Where to work as a Company Nurse
Company nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, factories, and offices. They may work full-time or part-time, and their work schedules may vary depending on the needs of patients and the workplace. They may be on duty 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies. Company nurses may be exposed to hazardous materials and dangerous conditions, so they must take precautions to protect themselves. They must also be able to handle stress well, as they must work long hours and deal with difficult situations.
Company Nurse Salary Scale
The median annual salary for company nurses in the United States is $87,862, while the median annual salary for those in Canada is $80,608. In the United Kingdom, salaries for company nurses can range from £31,000 to £38,000, depending on experience and location.