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Careers in occupational health: Why this speciality stands out


Careers in occupational health


As we kick off a new year, many people are reflecting on their career paths and considering whether it’s time for a change. For those in healthcare or related fields, exploring a career in occupational health could open up exciting and rewarding opportunities.


Chris, Liz and I first connected over our shared enthusiasm for occupational health and its unique offerings as a specialty. Here, we’d like to share five key reasons why we think occupational health is such an interesting and fulfilling field to work in.


1. A truly multidisciplinary field

Occupational health is inherently multidisciplinary, offering clinicians from diverse professional backgrounds a blend of teamwork and individual autonomy. In this specialty, you’ll find yourself collaborating with a wide range of professionals—from occupational health physicians and nurses to ergonomists and psychologists, and even corporate leaders. This diversity creates a rich environment for learning and growth. The balance between managing your own caseload and contributing to a team fosters both independence and professional development.


2. An outward-facing role

One of the unique aspects of occupational health is its outward-facing nature. It’s a specialty delivered in the workplace, which adds an entirely new dimension to clinical practice. This is an intellectual and professional challenge quite different to anything I have experienced in typical healthcare delivery environments. Highlights include engaging with Human Resources teams, providing data-driven organisational policy advice, and staying informed about case law to address complex workplace scenarios. A key part of training as a healthcare professional is communicating with people, and it’s great to apply this skillset in an organisational setting.


3. A holistic approach

Occupational health offers a truly holistic approach to healthcare. My background in general practice made me a natural fit for this specialty, as I’ve always been drawn to the psychosocial aspects of medicine. In occupational health, there’s an added layer: understanding how physical health, mental health, and workplace factors intertwine to affect a person’s ability to function and thrive.


The opportunity to explore these connections and develop solutions that can lead to meaningful improvements in both the medical and social dimensions of people’s lives is really rewarding. 


4. The bigger picture

Unlike most healthcare specialties, occupational health operates largely outside the NHS, in a more market-driven landscape. This brings unique opportunities for innovation. Clinicians in this field often work with forward-thinking organisations who recognise how good occupational healthcare can boost employee well-being and business performance. For those who enjoy healthcare improvement beyond the consulting room—such as designing services, influencing workplace culture, or shaping organisational policies—occupational health is a great platform for innovation and impact.


5. An evolving speciality

The world of work is constantly changing, and occupational health is evolving with it. In just the past few years, we’ve seen dramatic shifts toward remote working, increased integration of artificial intelligence, and new workplace challenges arising from these changes.


Occupational health plays a key role in understanding and mitigating the impacts of these shifts, offering exciting opportunities for those interested in research, policy, or strategy. With tackling rising economic inactivity due to ill health high on the government’s agenda, there’s also an urgent need to build and leverage evidence to guide policy reform —a critical area that can benefit from input from clinicians with a passion for making systemic change.


Why choose occupational health?

Whatever your clinical or non clinical background, occupational health offers a uniquely rewarding career path. It’s a field where you can make a tangible difference—not only in individual lives but also in the broader context of workplaces and organisations. You can view our latest vacancies here!


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