Standards
Professional
Development
Legal
& Ethical Issues
Management/Administration
Occupational
Case Management
Community
Affiliation
Professional
Development
The occupational health professional in healthcare takes advantage
of educational and professional growth opportunities not only to meet
legal and professional licensure obligations, but to advance their knowledge
in order to provide excellence to the profession. AOHP encourages self-direction
in seeking educational opportunities.
Rationale:
Knowledge of current occupational health practices is necessary for recognition
as a competent occupational health professional.
Objectives:
- Provide programs to enhance the professional development
- Provide an annual National Conference
- Promote scholarship opportunities for research and education
- Provide a professional quarterly journal
- Provide support and education for members new to occupational health
- Implement educational programs for all levels of practice
- Encourage participation in all educational programs on all levels
- Foster collaboration through professional resources and networking
Legal &
Ethical Issues
The occupational health professional has a legal and ethical obligation
to protect the rights of the employee, as well as to protect the employer
from litigation or regulatory penalties. The occupational health professional
also act as advocate to the employee to insure equal access to occupational
health services. The occupational health professional is charged with
the responsibility to provide a safe and healthful work environment for
healthcare workers.
Rationale:
Collaboration with other health professionals and community health agencies
are necessary in order to provide quality care to employees and safeguard
employers from unethical and illegal actions.
Objectives:
- Safeguard confidential information in accordance with the law
- Accept societal obligations as a professional and community member
- Maintain individual competence in occupational health
- Accept responsibility for individual judgments and actions
- Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas
- Provide uniform healthcare in the work environment for all healthcare workers
- Promote collaboration with other health and community professionals
Management/Administration
The occupational health professional in healthcare effectively assumes
a responsible role for the occupational health of employees and, in sum,
is responsible and accountable for the overall work health and safety
of the healthcare organization.
Rationale:
The occupational health professional is aware of the culture, mission
and business goals as well as the related health and safety needs of the
individual healthcare organization.
Objectives:
- Contribute to overall health of the workforce
- Initiate program planning and goal development
- Implement policy and procedure protocols
- Collaborate with management on implementation of goals
- Evaluate achievement of goals and objectives
- Implement quality improvement and cost containment programs
- Recognize cultural diversity and age-specific related needs in the workforce
Occupational
Case Management
The occupational health professional realizes the need to improve the
quality of health and emphasizes comprehensive care, early intervention
and wellness strategies for health improvement while recognizing the importance
of providing a measurable means of achieving professional goals.
Rationale:
The occupational health professional provides monitoring and follow-up
of health problems and sets standards in order to evaluate and improve
the services provided.
Objectives:
- Implement procedures for monitoring goals and objectives
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals
- Emphasize comprehensive care and early intervention
- Provide wellness strategies and counseling
- Implement written protocols in accordance with legal requirements
- Provide statistical evidence of cost reduction
- Initiate changes in knowledge and attitudes regarding health
- Manage work-related injuries with emphasis on prevention
- Maintain accurate healthcare records
Community
Affiliation
AOHP strongly advocates participation in community groups and organizations
that support the occupational health professional. This support increases
the effectiveness of occupational healthcare for all healthcare workers.
Rationale:
Community involvement provides a basis for strong alliances for the care
and support of the working public.
Objectives:
- Support community health activities
- Become involved in membership with community health organizations
- Collaborate with environmental, emergency and other public services
- Initiate visits to governmental or community representatives
- Become active concerning government bills that may affect practice