Occupational Health Services
April
Ariel Leshchinsky, MSN, CNL, RN
Oregon State University
April 7th, 2015
My Background
• Born in New Orleans, LA
• Grew up in Richmond, VA
• What to pursue?!
– Love for science + helping others = NURSING

• 4 year undergraduate Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN)
On the Job: Philadelphia
• Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania
Orthopedic/Trauma Unit
• Inpatient
• 12 hour shifts
New York City
• New York Presbyterian’s Hospital for Special Surgery
• Mostly elective orthopedic surgeries
• Masters of Science in Nursing: Focus on improving
patient outcomes and streamlining patient care
Cross Country Adventure
Student Health Services at OSU
• Worked in clinic serving students in need: wound care,
sore throats, UTIs, vaccinations, Plan B
• Occupational Medicine role job opening
• Good opportunity and a challenge:
• Utilize my masters degree
• Be creative
• Work with unique population
• Collaborate across departments
• Learn a new field within nursing!
Occupational Health Services
Background
• Comprehensive program
• Strives to strengthen the campus safety
culture
• Protect faculty, staff and student employees in
the course of their employment at OSU
• Partner with Environmental Health and Safety
to provide medical screening, surveillance,
immunizations and health and safety
education
CENTRAL FUNDING!!!
• As of September 2014
• No longer bill departments aka index #s
• Without the barrier of fees for service, more
departments and employees on campus can
be served by this program
Animal Exposure Program
• Part of OSU's overall program of animal care
• Participation is mandatory for all individuals involved in
animal research, teaching, testing, care and handling
• Focuses on maintaining a safe and healthy
environment for individuals with exposure to animals
• Based on risk assessment and risk mitigation
• Includes risk monitoring as outlined in the OSU Animal
Exposure Procedure and procedure
• Collaborate with IACUC
(Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee)
Supervisors are responsible for:
- Implementing this policy with individuals
under their supervision
- Ensuring these individuals receive animal
exposure training and education
Hearing Conservation Program
• The goal: to monitor and protect employees who
have the potential to develop noise-induced
hearing loss
• OSHA mandated
• EH&S performs noise measurements
and identities employees to enroll
• Noise is one of the most common occupational
health problems worldwide
• Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) begins with
prolonged exposure to any noise at or above 85
decibels
• Is progressive, permanent and preventable
Physical Exams
Scientific Diving Medical Examination
• Overseen by the OSU Diving Safety Officer (DSO)
• Any university employee conducting scientific
diving must undergo testing and a medical
examination signed by a physician
• RN: Order and conduct testing
• Required tests are reviewed, cleared, and
initialed by the examining physician and
submitted to the DSO
Physical Exams continued
Polar/Arctic Physical Examinations:
• Medical screening/testing and examinations to ensure physical
qualification.
SCBA User Medical Requirements:
• Medical clearances are required for all employees wearing a selfcontained breathing Apparatus (SCBA), an atmosphere-supplying
respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be
carried by the user
• Testing will be performed by RN and clearance will be given by the
Occupational Medicine physician
Immigration Medical Examinations (not covered by OCM funds):
• According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),
medical examinations offered at Occupational Medicine are
conducted by a designated physician, known as a civil surgeon
Travel Consultations
• Employees traveling abroad for conferences,
research or leisure (--> not covered by OCM funds)
• Required and recommended vaccinations
• Information regarding health advisories, infectious
disease prevention
• Prescriptions for motion sickness, travelers
diarrhea, malaria prophylaxis, etc.
• Register their trip at the OSU Office of Risk
Management
Vaccinations and Titers
• Those working with pathogens:
– Hepatitis B series
– Research on diphtheria
• Animal Handlers:
– Tetanus booster requirement
– Rabies shot series (if required)
– Rabies titers per protocol
• Other:
– Flu shots
– Travel vaccines
OSU Safety-Related Committees
• University Health and Safety Committee
• Institutional Biosafety Committee
• Co-chair SHS Health and Safety Committee
The future…
• Expand OCM program and reach
those not yet enrolled or served
• Continue to be an advocate for
employee health & wellness on campus
• I look forward to and hope to continue to
collaborate and partner with others on campus
in keeping OSU employees healthy and safe
Contact Information
• Occ.health@oregonstate.edu
• Ariel.leshchinsky@oregonstate.edu
• 541-737-7566