If you’re an occupational health nurse who has completed a FOHN approved specialist course, and/or have demonstrable experience and undertake occupational health nursing practice as a significant part of your work, you could become an accredited Specialist Practitioner.
If you’re an occupational health nurse who has completed a FOHN approved specialist course, and/or have demonstrable experience and undertake occupational health nursing practice as a significant part of your work, you could become an accredited Specialist Practitioner and can be entered on the Directory of FOHN Accredited Specialists in the UK.
Specialist Practitioner accreditation demonstrates that you’re competent to practise occupational health nursing in your chosen field.
It shows that you have specific knowledge and expertise in a range of occupational health functions and activities.
You can use the post nominals SFOHN
You will be working as
You must submit supporting evidence of your NMC Revalidation CPD and Practice Hours.
You need to have carried out occupational health work for at least 200 days over a period of at least 4 years.
You should have carried out at least 5 significant activities or projects during that time
See the Checklist and guidance
What competence you need and how to link it to your work.
The checklist forms part of the application for Specialist Practitioner accreditation to help demonstrate breadth (through the number) and depth (through levels of proficiency) of claimed competencies.
You will need to give evidence for all proficiency claims at level 4 or 5 and any proficiency claims at level 3 if you have not submitted evidence in the last 3 years.
Examples of these could be logbook entries, training courses or a publication.
This is probably the most complicated part of the application, and if you need advice email nurseaccreditation@som.org.uk
Those who have completed a pathway specific occupational health nursing course, which is not on the FOHN approved list but have significant experience and knowledge over six years can apply via portfolio.
The requirements are slightly different.
See the Portfolio route and recommended evidence guide (here)
You’ll need to complete a logbook detailing your activities or projects.
Your logbook is a key part of your application as it demonstrates to the assessors the occupational health work that you’ve undertaken over your minimum 4-year period.
It should contain separate records of between 5 and 8 significant activities over the period.
This information can then be used as part of your NMC revalidation records and vice versa.
Your evidence could include final reports from the work you described.
These should show in detail the occupational health work you undertook during that project.
Note that a multi-authored report can be difficult to assess as evidence, so you must be explicit about your contribution to such a report.
This information can then be used as part of your NMC revalidation Reflection records and vice versa. keeping your NMC Portfolio evidence up to date, avoiding duplication.
Each logbook record should not exceed 500 words which is about 1 page single-spaced or 2 pages double-spaced in font 12.
You will need 2 referees who are occupational health nurse specialists, and at least 1 of whom works outside your organisation.
You referees must know you well enough to form a robust opinion of your professional work and status.
Their report is an important part of your application and must show strong support for it.
For referee report example and template
If you have any questions please email nurseaccreditation@som.org.uk
You can remain in this level or, if you want to broaden your knowledge, experience and skills, you could see this as a steppingstone to Advanced Specialist accreditation status.
Either way, Specialist accreditation is recognition of a great achievement.
Accredtation fees cover the first 3 years.
Please follow this link to understand what will happen to your portfolio and the initial and ongoing fees for accreditation and ongoing Directory membership
Once you have your evidence gathered you will find a button on the assessment page which will take you to payment and the application form for all levels of entry.