It is estimated that there are only around 5,000 – 7,000 Occupational Health (OH) nurses in the UK. You don’t need to be a genius to know that it’s not nearly enough to meet the growing demand for workplace health. But we’ve noticed a trend showing employers are taking a broader view. The industry is changing its mindset on one thing: transferable skills vs OH experience.

We Need You: Bring Your (transferable) Skills to Occupational Health

Whilst many job adverts continue to ask for OH experience and qualification, employers are increasingly open-minded and actively looking for nurses with transferable skills from other clinical settings, particularly A&E and general practice.

Have you ever considered how your skills already map directly into OH?

• Assessment and triage: Workplace health screening and risk assessment.
• Chronic disease management: Health surveillance and case management.
• Communication under pressure: Communicating with HR, managers and employees, return-to-work support.
• Organisation and documentation: Compliance, audits, reporting

From Signposts to Success

Signpost your skills by using the OH lexicon, in three easy steps:

• Review the Role: Examine the key responsibilities in the job advert. If details are limited, refer to occupational health sector websites for fuller descriptions.
• Identify Relevant Experience: Consider your past roles and achievements that align with the listed tasks or outcomes.
• Structure Your Response: Use similar terms/language as headings and clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns (fully or partially) with each requirement.

The OH industry needs nurses who can think clinically, act decisively and help organisations maintain a healthy workforce. Your experience matters but your ability to learn and adapt matters even more.

If you’ve been in A&E, practice nursing, or another clinical role, there’s never been a better time to make the move. The OH sector needs you, and your skills are more relevant than you think.

Considering a move?

Occupational Health offers variety, autonomy and impact that many graduate paths do not. We’re confident that OH could be a rewarding next step with room to grow.

If you want a career that matches your skills and values, get in touch with Abi for a confidential conversation about career opportunities in Occupational Health.