Occupational Health Mentoring
We are a mentoring service committed to fostering growth, instilling confidence, and nurturing success for those considering a move into a career within Occupational Health.This Occupational Health Mentoring platform was facilitated by the National School of Occupational Health with SOM, supported by other Occupational Health organisations. It aims to:
* Offer resources and mentoring for those looking to enter Occupational Health
* Attract mentees and match mentors to mentees.
If you would like more information on being a Mentor, do contact janet.oneill6@nhs.net. If you have any queries about the website, please contact Nick Llewellin at nick.llewellin@som.org.uk
Why Mentorship?
Mentoring is a form of development which concentrates on building capability and is particularly powerful at times of career change. Our mentors are seasoned professionals and experts in their field within OH; they are passionate about sharing their knowledge to give back to the career they love, delivering a combination of mentoring and coaching, with personalised guidance. They can help you to take charge of your direction and potential, enabling you to make informed decisions.
The Power of Connection
We understand that mentorship is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour. That's why we have a diverse community of mentors. You have the freedom to choose a mentor that you feel fits your needs and engage with group mentorship sessions, benefitting from a network of like-minded people.
Empower Others, Become a Mentor Today!
We believe in the profound impact of mentorship. By sharing your expertise, wisdom, and experiences, you have the power to guide someone on their journey into OH, giving back. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an industry trailblazer, or a passionate expert, your knowledge is invaluable. The experience will also help you grow and develop, personally and professionally.
Ready to make a lasting impact? Fill out the form above to begin your journey as a mentor and inspire others!
How it works
Create a profile to let us know more about yourself and your goals to be matched with an experienced Occupational Health mentor within any given Occupational Health field within the UK.
Browse our diverse mentor pool to find the perfect match for your needs.
Choose your mentor and begin your journey toward a greater understanding of Occupational Health and into the specialism, if right for you.
Occupational Health Mentoring FAQ sheet
People may want to be mentors to pay back support they have had, to support the next generation of clinicians, or to use their knowledge positively. Seeing a mentee flourish and knowing one day they will pay it forward is immensely satisfying.
- Who can be a mentor?
An experienced OH clinician (at least 5 years), preferably with a qualification in OH, alongside leadership or mentoring experience. Each mentor is approved on their merits. A detailed biography is very helpful for approvers and mentees alike with information on specific areas of expertise and interest.
- What is the process for signing up
- Add your email address and password and click register
- Complete your details as requested
- Click on the blue and white cog at the top right-hand corner and that will take you to your biography at any time
- Complete all parameters and choose the number of mentees you can manage
- Save
- Please provide a clear and detailed biography so it is clear to mentees what your strengths and interests are, what experience you have including industry, type of service, area of the country and whether your experience is inhouse, provider, or self-employed.
- Please mark yourself as unavailable (no. of mentees – none right now) if you are away or taking a break
- Please respond in a timely manner to mentees
- If you are a nurse who is comfortable mentoring doctors, physiotherapists, OTs etc., please say so in your profile
- On the left-hand side, you can make your initial chat message bespoke
- At the top, click on resources and have a look through what is available for you (Mentoring resources) and your potential mentee (public resources)
- The resources include learning and support material for being a mentor
- The diary can be used to mark availability, and the calendar will show events
- When a mentee chooses you, you will receive an email – please go to the chat in the site to respond. You can then pick up the conversation outside the site if that is easier
- To stop mentoring, click on cancel mentorship (right hand side of the mentee screen) and write a personalised message (a standard message is available)
- If you have more than one mentee, you can move between chats.
- Who can be a mentee?
Anyone with a clinical background (e.g. nurses, doctors, mental health, musculoskeletal health, physiologists, sports therapists, OTs) who wishes to enter Occupational Health as a career (including those who aspire to become an OH technician).
Anyone wishing for career support i.e. a change of role or career progression.
- Does the mentee sign a formal agreement?
Yes, the mentee signs a formal agreement when registering with the site. A copy is available within the mentor resource area.
- What support is available for mentors?
Access to learning materials on the role of a mentor include signposting to e-learning, access to a recorded training session and how-to guides.
A chat function allows for free discussion between mentors, quarterly group sessions are arranged to discuss experiences, and an open feedback form is available for anonymous feedback.
You can also email the administrators at any time.
- What is my time commitment?
You can choose the number of mentees that you feel able to support and when you reach that number, you will no longer be visible.
We suggest no more than 4 to 6 half-hour sessions over approximately 6 months, however, this is variable and in your control. It may be helpful to set expectations at the start.
- I don’t think I am the appropriate mentor for the person who has chosen me
You can decline, with a personalised message, suggesting they choose another mentor, or you can accept and, if applicable, discharge them with advice to choose a more appropriate mentor.
- How do I communicate with mentees?
That is up to you, however, there is a chat function that will support communication and a diary which you can use to indicate when you are free to meet.
- Do I have to find resources to share with mentees?
No, we have many resources available for you to signpost your mentee to, or to save and upload into the chat. This includes recordings, articles, and signposting to e-learning. You can suggest additional resources as well. The events diary is populated for you to discuss with your mentee.
Occupational Health Mentee FAQ sheet
- Who can be a mentee
Anyone clinical with an interest in Occupational Health who aspires to or is considering a clinical role within OH. For example, doctors, nurses, OTs, physiotherapists, physiologists, technicians, health and safety etc. The aim of this program is to help individuals decide whether this is the career move for them and if so assist them with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to start that journey and hopefully gain a role in OH. Anyone wishing for career support i.e. a change of role or career progression.
At present this program is aimed at supporting those within the UK. We don’t have the facility to support sponsorships into the UK.
NB > Please bear in mind, all our mentors are volunteers. If you are a doctor, several nurses are competent to support you, please review profiles carefully.
- What is the process for signing up
- Add your email address and password and click register in the area which states “sign up to find a mentor”
- Complete your details as requested and save
- Click on the blue and white cog at the top right-hand corner and that will take you back to your details at any time
- Please provide a clear and detailed biography so it is clear to the mentor, what you are looking for and what your background is
- Have a look through and choose a mentor
- Send your mentor a message. Please be patient, as the mentor is usually working full time and may not see the email straight away.
- We usually suggest between 4 to 6 sessions with your mentor, but this can be flexible.
- Your mentor can help you choose the right resources for you
- Even if you don’t choose a mentor, there is the facility to access all resources which will support you to understand OH. Please browse to your hearts content. (Remember employers will want to see you have made an effort).
- If, after a couple of weeks and a few tries at contact, if you don’t hear anything, you can change mentor.
- If your mentor hasn’t had a response from you after 3 weeks, they will cancel the mentorship
- Does the mentee sign a formal agreement?
Yes, the mentee signs a formal agreement when registering with the site. A copy is available within the resource area
- What support is available for mentees
There are lots of resources, including videos, podcasts, documents, e-learning and guides including how to write a CV and interview skills
The Essence of Mentorship
Mentorship matters because it supports growth. It can be difficult to consider moving away from traditional roles and into a specialty which is not well known. A mentor provides direction and support, which will help the mentee to make informed decisions. It's a dynamic exchange whereby knowledge and experience can provide direction, help to overcome challenges and build confidence. Mentorship matters because it's not just about reaching goals; it's about surpassing them with the right guidance. Embrace mentorship – where potential meets possibility.
Mentorship Resources
Our comprehensive suite of mentoring resources will provide you with the right resources to inform your journey. We understand that mentorship extends beyond one-on-one interactions, which is why we've curated a carefully selected collection of videos, documents, and a link library to empower and inform. Your mentor will help identify those that will be of particular use to you, for your circumstances.Video Library::
Our curated video library provides you with insight into Occupational Health as a career for the multidisciplinary team. All backgrounds are catered for, and you will gain a better understanding of the variety and richness of this career path. Expert interviews, general discussion and mentorship success stories will provide you with a deeper insight into the industry. Our video resources are designed to inspire and inform.
Document Repository::
Knowledge is power, and our document repository, crafted by seasoned mentors, is your gateway to a treasure trove of expertise. Access downloadable guides, articles, information and research on Occupational Health. From goal-setting frameworks to CV writing and interview skills, these documents serve as practical tools to enhance your mentorship experience.
Link Library::
Navigate with ease through our meticulously curated link library. Discover external resources, articles, and research papers that complement your mentorship journey. We've gathered the most relevant and valuable links to save you time and provide a well-rounded understanding of Occupational Health.
Empower yourself with the right knowledge at your fingertips. Whether you're a mentor looking to refine your guidance or a mentee seeking to deepen your understanding, our mentoring resources are designed to elevate your experience and amplify your success. Start exploring the wealth of knowledge today – your journey begins with the right resources.