Over the years I have had the opportunity to visit a number of different industrial sites where onsite health services are provided and have recently reflected on how differently they are all staffed and managed.
In an industrial context it is quite common that there is only one site nurse or Paramedic and that this one health practitioner is managed by someone without any health qualifications, possibly a Production Manager, HR Manager, Mine Manager or Safety Manager. The manager and management of these organisations often rely on the advice and expertise of the health practitioner in terms of how the health centre is resourced, what procedures are in place (if any) and how patients are treated.
At some sites there appears to be no systems in place to verify the competency of the health practitioner other than relying upon a qualification which may have been gained some time ago.
On most sites there are rigorous processes for verification of competency (VOC) for high risk works such as crane operators but the health practitioner who is providing potentially life-saving care and emergency response may not be exposed to any rigour in determining their competency to practice.
It also asks the question “is there anyone competent onsite or within the company to perform the verification of competency role” and often the answer is probably not.
- Factors in determining competency include
- Verification of qualifications
- Verification of previous work history and experience
- Verification of professional conduct through reference checks
- Clinical assessment against the site clinical guidelines or other externally provided clinical guidelines to determine safe scope of practice
- Clinical file audits of work performed including whether care was provided as per the site clinical guidelines, within the scope of practice and within professional standards
Sitemed is able to perform a site audit to assist sites in identifying any gaps in their processes for management of site medical staff. Depending on the results of the audit Sitemed can assist with
- Verification of competency for staff
- Provision of site clinical guidelines
- Ongoing professional development programs for staff
- Clinical auditing
- Provision of qualified relief staff
- Management of site poison (drug licence)
For site based health care staff or provide the site medical services as a fully outsourced function.
Call Sitemed for a no obligation discussion regarding your onsite health services on 08 8447 2017.