Occupational Health Adviser (OHA) - part time 15 hours per week

Sheffield Occupational Health Advisory Service (SOHAS) is seeking an Occupational Health Adviser (OHA) for a part-time position of 15 hours per week.

An application pack will be sent to you after you apply. This will need to be completed and returned to the email address provided in the pack. We do not accept CVs or cover letters. Please note that we run a blind application process, meaning identifiable information from your application form will be removed before it is assessed.

MAIN WORKSITE: Offices of Sheffield Occupational Health Advisory Service (SOHAS) and designated health centres and surgeries.

ACCOUNTABLE TO: SOHAS Chief Executive.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

• To attend designated health centres and surgeries and the city centre office at agreed times to see clients by appointment or work from home where appropriate.
• Interview clients and assess client needs using appropriate guidance on best practice including protocols, current legislation, and reference material.
• Advise, coach, motivate clients, and formulate action plans to promote health and wellbeing.
• Contribute to protecting people at risk at work.
• Enable people to address specific needs in relation to health and well-being.
• Research issues connected with patient health problems.
• Communicate with third parties to resolve occupational health matters by letter, phone, electronically, or face-to-face (e.g., GPs, health care professionals, employers, Job Centre Plus, Trade unions, community and voluntary groups, enforcement agencies).
• Provide information and written material to clients.
• Make appropriate referrals to health services and other statutory or voluntary sector bodies.
• Make appropriate referrals for representation in respect of compensation claims and social security appeals to specialist agencies including advice services and solicitors.
• Provide advocacy and/or representation depending on the level of intervention required at disability living allowance, incapacity benefit, industrial injury, and employment tribunals.
• Provide specific advice on work hazards, work systems, working environments, harmful substances, and risk assessment.
• Provide information on specific topics for groups of health professionals in practices when required.
• Participate in the induction, mentoring, and professional development of other advisers.

ORGANISATION:

• Carry out responsibilities of the post with full regard to the equal opportunities policy of SOHAS and support and implement anti-discriminatory practice in all areas of SOHAS work.
• Represent SOHAS at meetings and other bodies as required and agreed with the SOHAS Chief Executive and trustees.
• Provide information and talks about the role of SOHAS and occupational health matters to outside organisations as required.
• Seek opportunities to develop and build personal and professional skills to enhance performance within this job.
• Attend training sessions as determined or agreed by the SOHAS Chief Executive or trustees and provide written evaluative feedback on these to the SOHAS Chief Executive and OHA colleagues.
• Attend and participate in regular workers’, advisers’, and trustee meetings as required.
• Prepare verbal or written reports on work undertaken as required by the SOHAS Chief Executive, the management trustees, and Sheffield City Council.
• Be accountable to the SOHAS Chief Executive or the trustees and participate in supervision and appraisal processes.
• Carry out any other duties appropriate to the job as agreed with the SOHAS Chief Executive and SOHAS trustees.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Please use the specification to provide evidence on each of the essential criteria within your application to demonstrate your ability to carry out the post.

ESSENTIAL:

• Qualifications: Educated preferably to degree level or to a good standard with relevant qualifications or experience.
• Employment / Experience: Understanding or experience of the issues faced by people’s health problems related to employment; experience of giving information, advice, or guidance; understanding or experience of working with employers to get people into employment and/or experience of back to work after a period of sickness absence; self-sufficient in admin and main Microsoft packages e.g., Word.
• Skills: Good problem-solving skills; good motivational, communication, and listening skills; good presentation and communication skills; good organisational ability; ability to work as part of a team; effective evaluator of people’s problems; ability to show initiative in developing and promoting the service and networking with relevant agencies; able to work closely with primary care teams within GP surgeries.
• Circumstances: Ability to travel in the local area; driving license and access to your own vehicle; ability to occasionally work outside of office hours on events or talks.

DESIRABLE:

• Understanding of current issues in Occupational Health.
• Understanding the principles of occupational health and safety legislation.
• Training, mentoring, and job shadowing will be given to the successful candidate.

Location: Sheffield

Salary: £11,419 - £11,988 per year

Type of Contract: Part Time

Hours: 15

Westfield Health Contribution: 8% - 13% pension (6% - 11% organisation, 2% employee contribution)

Closing Date: 11-07-2025

How to Apply: Email the SOHAS administrator, sarah.cooke@sohas.co.uk for an application pack.