Occupational Health Expert

The European Patent Office (EPO) is committed to providing a fit-for-purpose occupational health service that both promotes employee health and well-being and addresses the individual health needs of our staff. With a strong and well-skilled in-house team, Occupational Health and Well-Being Services played a key support role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to establish the EPO's new normal. Now, in addition to co-ordinating the hybrid delivery of occupational health and well-being services, we are gearing up for future challenges and driving transformation to further increase service efficiency and effectiveness by optimising service provider management, reviewing rules and modernising processes and tools in line with our occupational health and safety management system (ISO 45001).

The Occupational Health and Well-Being Services team is part of the EPO's People Services and Well-Being directorate and has between 15 and 20 staff members. A team manager leads the team of health experts and the front office, driving the transformation process. The team works closely with external occupational physicians and is supported by other external professionals.

We are now looking for an experienced and motivated occupational health expert to support the team in delivering day-to-day occupational health services and liaise with key internal stakeholders. Come join us!

With us you will:

• evaluate the health needs of individual employees, ensuring they receive adequate professional support to help them stay in or return to work and optimise their health and well-being
• provide advice and guidance to staff, their line managers and HR business partners across the EPO during periods of extended sick leave and on work reintegration measures
• liaise with and provide proficient handover to occupational physicians when required, as defined by the rules and processes relating to absence for sickness
• apply evidence-based practices and techniques to achieve positive health outcomes at individual and organisational level, including engaging with internal and external specialists and utilising available resources and well-being services
• work with the occupational physicians and other health experts to develop, implement and embed clinical processes and pathways, e.g. for reintegration, clinical emergencies and triage, initial medical assessments and clinical audits
• co-ordinate the delivery of health promotion interventions and projects, working with key stakeholders and external providers to develop a suitable annual programme of events to promote a healthy work-life balance and minimise absence from work
• organise and maintain occupational health clinic locations, covering aspects such as equipment, supplies and administration, while working to budgetary requirements
• promote understanding of biopsychosocial factors relating to occupational health, safety, well‑being and support
• carry out additional co-ordination, reporting and communication in daily occupational health operations (internal/external team) or co-ordinate an area of specialisation such as ergonomics, mental health or health statistics with various stakeholders, etc.; when required, coach and mentor other team members
• actively contribute to developing, implementing and embedding occupational health strategy, policies and procedures, analysing relevant statistics and drafting reports and proposals
• ensure workflows, processes and practices in Occupational Health and Well-Being Services are carried out to the highest data protection standards and in compliance with medical confidentiality requirements and the EPO's occupational health and safety management system and ISO 45001
• work with the team manager and Procurement and Vendor Management to ensure that contracts with external providers are managed effectively and efficiently to ensure internal clinical operations are not disrupted during the transformation process
• design and deliver training programmes and awareness campaigns to staff and managers

Apply if you have:

• experience as a registered/qualified occupational health nurse or equivalent
• a diploma of completed studies at master's level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience (occupational health nursing)
• a minimum of three years' relevant post-qualification experience in an applied occupational health setting, preferably in an international, corporate or similar team-based environment
• excellent verbal and written communication skills
• proficiency and experience in complex case management, telemedicine and remote case management, detailed report-writing
• the ability to influence and impact positive health outcomes and passion for learning
• adaptability, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team, and perform workload management
• digital fluency and experience working with digitalised health governance tools (e.g. Cority)
• experience with working with external service provider and budget management

Our minimum requirements for this post

• Diploma of completed studies at master's level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience
• Generally, an excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language (English, French and German) and ability to understand the other two; alternatively, excellent knowledge (at least C1) of at least one official language (in such cases, the willingness to learn the missing language(s) and to reach level B2 within a set time frame would be required)
• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation

Why join us?
✓ Be part of the EPO's transformation and enable innovation✓ Work with inspiring people from a variety of cultures✓ Develop yourself and take on an intellectual challenge

What's in it for you?
✓ A competitive salary✓ Family-friendly benefits✓ A good work-life balance✓ Generous flexibility options✓ Relocation benefits and various allowances✓ Contributory medical insurance and pension schemes✓ 30 days' leave per year✓ Free gym access✓ Social activities and clubs

Who we are
We are the patent office for Europe. We are proud to deliver high-quality patents and efficient services that foster innovation, competitiveness and economic growth.

Our vision
We will empower and motivate our staff to set worldwide standards in intellectual property. Our Office will be effective and transparent, respond to the needs of our users and be agile in managing the changing demands and conditions of a dynamic global patent system. Our work will contribute to a safer, smarter and more sustainable world.

Our values
All our relationships within our Office and with partners around the world will prosper through trust, fairness, mutual respect, adaptability, collaboration and a commitment to excellence.

Our work environment
We believe that diversity is fundamental to our success. Our inclusive work environment respects, values and celebrates our individual differences. We want you to be yourself at work. Join us on this exciting journey to a more digital, collaborative and sustainable organisation.

🖂 jobinfo@epo.org