Melinda L. Chee, RN, MS, MA, COHN-S/CM, CCM

Certification

Professional Organization

Certified Occupational Health Nurse - Specialist / Case Manager

COHN-S/CM

by the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses: http://www.abohn.org/index.asp

Certificate # 9216

Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Profession Fact Sheet

The following information about occupational and environmental health nurses can be found on the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Inc. web site: http://www.aaohn.org/

Occupational and environmental health nursing is the specialty practice that provides for and delivers health and safety programs and services to workers, worker populations and community groups. The practice focuses on promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury and protection from work related and environmental hazards.

Role of Occupational Health Nurses Today:

Modern occupational health nurses' (OHNs) roles are as diverse as clinician to educator, case manager to corporate director and consultant. In the past two centuries, their responsibilities have expanded immensely to encompass a wide range of job duties, including:

• Case management –  In addition to providing treatment, follow-up and referrals and emergency care for job related injuries and illnesses, OHNs act as gatekeepers for health services, rehabilitation, return-to-work and case management issues, and are key to employers' health care quality and cost containment strategies.
• Counseling and crisis intervention – Besides counseling workers about work related illness and injuries, OHNs often counsel for issues such as substance abuse and emotional and/or family problems. They also handle referrals to employee assistance programs and/or other community resources and coordinate follow-up care.
• Health promotion – OHNs teach skills and develop health education programs that encourage workers to take responsibility for their own health. Smoking cessation, exercise/fitness, nutrition and weight control, stress management, control of chronic illnesses and effective use of medical services are just a few of the preventive strategies to keep workers healthy and productive.
• Legal and regulatory compliance – Whether it is the array of regulations put forward by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or laws that affect the workplace such as the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), OHNs work with employers on compliance with regulations and laws affecting the workplace.
• Worker and workplace hazard detection – OHNs monitor the health status of worker populations by conducting research on the effects of workplace exposures, gathering health and hazard data, and using the data to prevent injury and illness. Examples include an analysis of the effects of toxic chemical exposures and development of plans to prevent work-related accidents.

Bottom Line Improvement for Business

Poor employee health costs business about $1 trillion annually, so business executives look to OHNs to maximize employee productivity and reduce costs through lowered disability claims, fewer on-the-job injuries and improved absentee rates.

Through their recognized value to business, OHNs commonly take a seat at the management table, providing input about staffing issues, budgetary considerations and corporate policies and procedures that positively impact worker health and safety, and thus contribute to a healthier bottom line.

Education Requirements

OHNs are registered nurses (RNs) licensed to practice in the states in which they are employed. Typically, nurses entering the field have a baccalaureate degree in nursing and experience in community health, ambulatory care, critical care or emergency nursing.

Certification in occupational and environmental health nursing is highly recommended. Criteria for certification requires 4,000 hours of work experience in the field within a five-year period, 50 contact hours of continuing education in the specialty and successful completion of a national examination that requires mastery of a broad body of knowledge.

AAOHN

For more information about occupational and environmental health nurses, contact the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Inc. at (800) 241-8014, or visit us online at www.aaohn.org.

AAOHN is a 10,000 member professional association dedicated to advancing the health, safety and productivity of domestic and global workforces by providing education, research, public policy and practice resources for occupational and environmental health nurses. These professionals are the largest group of health care providers serving the worksite

Certified Case Manager (CCM)

http://www.cmsa.org/

D E F I N I T I O N

Case management is a collaborative process that assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the options and services required to meet the client's health and human service needs. It is characterized by advocacy, communication, and resource management and promotes quality and cost-effective interventions and outcomes.

P H I L O S O P H Y

Case management is an area of specialty practice within one's health and human services profession. Its underlying premise is that everyone benefits when clients( 1) reach their optimum level of wellness, self-management, and functional capability: the clients being served; their support systems; the health care delivery systems; and the various payer sources.

Case management facilitates the achievement of client wellness and autonomy through advocacy, assessment, planning, communication, education, resource management, and service facilitation. Based on the needs and values of the client, and in collaboration with all service providers, the case manager links clients with appropriate providers and resources throughout the continuum of health and human services and care settings, while ensuring that the care provided is safe, effective, client-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. This approach achieves optimum value and desirable outcomes for all-- the clients, their support systems, the providers, and the payers.

Case management services are optimized best if offered in a climate that allows direct communication among the case manager, the client, the payer, the primary care provider, and other service delivery professionals. The case manager is able to enhance these services by maintaining the client's privacy, confidentiality, health, and safety through advocacy and adherence to ethical, legal, accreditation, certification, and regulatory standards or guidelines.

Certification determines that the case manager possesses the education, skills, knowledge, and experience required to render appropriate services delivered according to sound principles of practice.

•  Client refers to the recipient of case management services. It includes, but not limited to, consumers, clients, or patients.

ACLS Provider by the American Heart Association

Certification expires 09/2007

http://www.americanheart.org/