At Acorn Occupational Health, we understand the paramount importance of health and safety in the healthcare sector. Ensuring that healthcare workers are fit to work not only protects them but also safeguards the patients they care for. This is why our Healthcare Clearance Medicals are designed to cater to various job types and levels of patient contact. This ensures comprehensive and appropriate assessments for each healthcare professional.
What is a Healthcare Clearance Medical?
A Healthcare Clearance Medical is a thorough health assessment process intended to ensure that healthcare workers meet the necessary health and safety standards before commencing their roles. This service is crucial for minimising the risk of infection transmission, ensuring the health and safety of both healthcare professionals and patients, and maintaining compliance with NHS and other healthcare regulatory bodies.
Our Healthcare Clearance Medicals are broken down into four steps, tailored to the job type and amount of social contact.
- Non-Patient Contact
Individuals who do not work directly with or near patients, such as those in back office administration roles, the requirements are straightforward:
- Initial Pre-Placement Questionnaire: An initial assessment to understand the employee’s health status.
- Grading and Recommendations: Based on the questionnaire, we provide grading and recommendations.
- Follow-Up Call: If necessary, a follow-up call to discuss any concerns or further steps.
- Minimal Patient Contact (Social Contact)
Those who do not work directly with patients but may come into incidental contact, such as receptionists or cleaners, the requirements include:
- Initial Pre-Placement Questionnaire: To assess potential health risks and current health status.
- Grading and Recommendations: Providing clear grading and actionable recommendations.
- Follow-Up Call: If further clarification or action is needed based on the initial assessment.
- Direct Patient Contact
Healthcare workers who are in close contact with patients and conducting non-EPP tasks, such as health visitors, nurses, and carers, the requirements are more detailed:
- Face-to-Face Appointment: A comprehensive assessment at our Acorn clinic (CW12 1LA).
- Vaccine History Checks: Includes TB Clearance (BCG Scar Verification or TB QuantiFERON Blood Test if no scar), Hepatitis B Clearance based on risk, Measles, Mumps, Rubella Clearance, and Varicella (Chicken Pox) Clearance.
- Exposure Prone Procedure (EPP)
Professionals performing procedures that involve working within body cavities, such as dentists and doctors, the requirements are extensive:
- Face-to-Face Appointment: A detailed assessment at our Acorn clinic (CW12 1LA).
- Comprehensive Vaccine History Checks: Includes TB Clearance (BCG Scar Verification or TB QuantiFERON Blood Test if no scar), Hepatitis B Clearance based on risk, Measles, Mumps, Rubella Clearance, and Varicella (Chicken Pox) Clearance.
Additional clearance requirements, that are included for EPP:
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Clearance
- Hepatitis C Clearance
- HIV 1 & 2 Antigen and Antibody Clearance
Pre-Appointment Requirements
We require the employee’s immunisation history before the appointment. They will be sent a pre-placement questionnaire and a consent form via our online system, Orchid. Once we have the necessary information, we will schedule the appointment. The more information relating to immunisation history that is provided, the fewer blood tests will be required.
Next Steps if Immunisation History is Unavailable
Our Occupational Health Advisor will advise the next steps regarding immunity blood tests to determine the necessary immunisations to be cleared as fit to work under NHS requirements if the employee cannot provide their immunisation history.
At Acorn Occupational Health, your health and safety is our top priorities. Our Healthcare Clearance Medical service ensures that healthcare workers are compliant with pre-placement medical requirements, protecting both themselves and the patients they care for. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us on 01260 277797 or email us at website@acornoh.co.uk.