Additionally, occupational health physicians may be responsible to implement a medical surveillance program. Regulatory agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, play an important role in defining these programs. Other professional organizations, such as the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists, provide guidance concerning safety and exposure monitoring. Although occupational medicine has been a distinct discipline within the American Board of Preventive Medicine since 1954, many VA employee health practitioners are not certified specialists in this field. This lack of certification does not preclude primary care physicians, physician generalists, and other healthcare providers from contributing to occupational medicine programs, and such persons are encouraged to do so.
Responsibilities can include clinical care, administration, care management, and education.
Responsibilities assumed by an occupational health nurse depend on the nurse's educational background and training, the worksite itself, availability of medical support, and supervision. In addition to direct care of occupational illnesses and injuries, occupational health nurses support health promotion, wellness education, disease and injury prevention, service administration, and research. Industrial hygienists can provide information concerning occupational health-related regulations and occupational safety and health programs. The industrial hygienist routinely evaluates the work environment and reports findings to the medical, engineering, and operational components of the facility through the safety committee. An effective industrial hygiene program enhances employee confidence in the facility's ability to maintain a safe work environment.