Nurse Practitioner Occupational Health

Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in Occupational Health

The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in Occupational Health provides comprehensive occupational health services to all employees of the VA Medical Center, including responsibility for health assessments, medical surveillance, and workplace safety programs. Focus on the health of workers, including the ability to perform work; the physical, chemical, biological, and social environments of the workplace; and the health outcomes of environmental exposures.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Employee Health Assessments: Performs pre-employment, periodic, and return-to-work health evaluations for VA employees, and volunteers.
• Conducts medical screenings as required by policy (e.g., TB, immunizations, surveillance for hazardous exposures).
• Health Surveillance and Risk Assessment: Develops and manages medical surveillance programs in accordance with federal, state, and VA requirements.
• Identifies potential occupational hazards and recommends risk mitigation strategies.
• Clinical Management and Intervention: Evaluates, diagnoses, and treats work-related injuries and illnesses, in collaboration with Occupational Medicine physicians as appropriate.
• Provides follow-up care, oversees return-to-work plans, and determines work restrictions as indicated.
• Case Management: Coordinates care with Employee Relations, Safety, Infection Control, and Human Resources.
• Maintains confidential health records according to VA and OSHA guidelines.
• Health Promotion and Education: Provides guidance, education, and counseling to employees regarding workplace health and safety, infectious disease prevention, ergonomic practices, and wellness programs.
• Regulatory Compliance and Reporting: Ensures program compliance with OSHA, CDC, The Joint Commission, VA directives, and all applicable regulations.
• Prepares reports and documentation required for regulatory agencies and internal VA leadership.
• Maintains required licensure/certification and remains current with occupational health practice standards.
• Promotion of health in the workplace, and the prevention and management of occupational and environmental injury, illness, and disability.
• Evaluate, diagnose and provide consultation to patients on an outpatient basis presenting with work-related problems.
• Provide initial care to patients with work-related injuries or conditions and make appropriate follow-up referrals.
• Interpret results of diagnostic tests including audiometry, spirometry, radiology, and EKG.
• Determine an employee's physical and emotional fitness for work.
• Ordering diagnostic studies, such as laboratory tests and X-rays.
• Carrying out health promotion and disease prevention activities.
• Suture and/or Closure of simple/superficial lacerations (not involving deep tendons, face); Suture and/or Closure removal.
• Application of splints for Fractures & Sprains.
• Any other duties assigned.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package:

• Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
• Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.