Practitioner Accreditation

Practitioner PFOHN

Practitioner accreditation demonstrates that you are able to apply your general nursing skills within occupational health nursing practice. It shows that you have developed specific knowledge and skills across a range of occupational health functions and activities.

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Practitioner

Understanding The Requirements

Introduction

Practitioner accreditation demonstrates that you are able to use your general nursing skills and work in occupational health nursing within your area of practice.

It shows that you have developed knowledge and skills across a range of occupational health functions and activities.

You can use the post nominals PFOHN.

1 Work Experience

You will be working as part of an occupational health team or under the supervision of an Occupational Health Nurse Specialist.

You must submit supporting evidence of your NMC Revalidation CPD and Practice Hours.

You must have completed at least 100 days of occupational health work.

Part-time occupational health work may be counted on a pro-rata basis. For example, 40 half days would count as 20 full days.

If you have worked on a long-term project, you may break it down and record it as several smaller activities.

2 Competence: Professional Competency

See the Checklist and guidance

The checklist explains the competencies required and how they can be linked to your occupational health practice.

  • You must demonstrate at least Awareness (Proficiency Level 1) in 50% of the competencies listed in the FOHN Professional Competency Checklist.
  • You must demonstrate Intermediate Proficiency (Level 3) in at least one area of competency.
  • Evidence must be provided for all proficiency claims at Level 3 or above.
  • Examples of evidence may include logbook entries, training courses, reports, audits, presentations or publications.

The checklist forms part of the Practitioner accreditation application and helps demonstrate both breadth and depth of competence.

This is often the most challenging part of the application. If you require advice, please contact nurseaccrediation@som.org.uk.

3 Education

  • You must be a Registered Nurse.
  • You must be operating to recognised clinical standards and procedures with appropriate supervision in place.
  • You must have completed any skills-based training relevant to your area of practice, such as audiometry or spirometry training where appropriate.
  • You should have completed at least 12 hours of CPD during the preceding year.
  • CPD may include self-directed study, workplace visits, conferences, webinars, formal courses or other professional learning activities.

4 Logbook

You will need to complete a logbook detailing your occupational health activities.

Your logbook should contain separate records of between 3 and 5 significant activities undertaken during the period being assessed.

This information can support your NMC revalidation and reflection records, helping you maintain a single portfolio of evidence.

Each logbook entry should not exceed 500 words, which is approximately one page single-spaced or two pages double-spaced using size 12 font.

Logbook Requirements

  1. A brief summary of the activity and your personal involvement.
  2. Details of the work undertaken.
  3. A description of the outputs and your contribution.
  4. An indication of your degree of responsibility, authority and role.
  5. Reflection on the successful and less successful aspects of the activity.
  6. Details of how the work demonstrates personal development and relevance to the NMC Code.
Examples of Evidence
  • Reports that you have produced.
  • Methods, tools and techniques that you have used.
  • Conference proceedings, training delivery or journal articles relevant to your work.

5 Reference

You will need one referee who is an Occupational Health Nurse Specialist.

Your referee must know you well enough to provide a robust opinion of your professional work and standing.

Their report forms an important part of your application and should provide strong support for your accreditation.

For referee report example and template (here)

Logbook template and PFOHN example.

If you have any questions please email nurseaccrediation@som.org.uk.

Achievement

You may remain at Practitioner level or use it as a stepping stone towards Specialist Practitioner accreditation (SPFOHN).

Practitioner accreditation demonstrates your commitment to delivering high-quality occupational health nursing services, whether as a generalist practitioner or within specific areas such as attendance management, fitness-for-work assessments or occupational health research.

How is the Assessment Done and Fees

Accreditation fees cover the first three years.

Please follow the Assessment Process and Fees link to understand how your portfolio will be assessed together with the initial and ongoing accreditation and directory membership fees.

Assessment Process and Fees (link).

Once your evidence has been gathered, you can proceed to payment and complete the application form.

Ready to Apply?

  1. Complete the Professional Competency Checklist. Download the checklist (here)
  2. Create your Logbook Entries. Download the Logbook Template and Example
  3. Contact your referee and ask them to prepare and send us their referee reports