While
Tillamook Medical Associates has been providing Occupational Health
Services for the last six years, they are now approaching the
matter with a more pro-active stance. They have new staff, new
equipment and a new "attitude." "It used to be
that we called on a business only after an accident happened,"
said nurse manager/occupational manager Linda Cole, RN. "Now
we are calling on businesses to make them aware of the services
we provide. The goal of occupational health is to keep employees
safe, and working in the job that is best suited for them."
Occupational therapy, on the other hand, may be a reference point
for workers after the accident treatment has occurred. "Once
you have established the problem or treated the injury, we may
refer to an occupational therapist to get the worker back at the
job."
Linda moved to the beach from Portland to retire. Instead, she
joined Tillamook Medical Associates a year and a half ago. Since
then, Connie Parr, Certified Medical Assistant and occupational
technician has joined the staff, after working for Health First
in Portland.
These ladies call on business owners to develop a wellness profile
for employees, set up drug testing or determine pre-employment
screening tests such as weight lifting ability before a worker
is hired for a delivery service, or breathing functions and lung
capacity if the worker will be inside a hazardous environment
such as a paint shop. They also see patients in the TMA office,
located next door to Tillamook County General Hospital. "We
make immediate appointments for urgent care, such as a worker
who came in with a huge splinter," she said, or an employer
may refer an employee whom he suspects needs an alcohol test.
These ladies even take their show on the road - literally - in
the mobile van. They go to offices and warehouses collecting samples
for urine testing (when the set-up is appropriate), giving immunizations,
or hearing tests: They can check flexibility, heart rate, blood
pressure, pushing and pulling ability and how well workers deal
with steps.
"It's a learning curve with businesses", said Linda.
"We are trying to serve both large and small companies and
it may take three to six months to develop a program tailored
just to their needs. This all goes hand in hand with the increasing
awareness among business owners of the need for workplace safety."LCB
Tillamook Medical Associates, PC
/Occupational Health Services
Contact: Linda Cole, RN
Address: 980 Third Street, # 200
Tillamook, Oregon 97141
Telephone: 503/842-5546
Fax: 503/842-2098
Website: www.tillamookmedical.com
Hours: M - Thurs, 8a - 9p,
Fri 8a - 3p,
Sundays/Holidays 10a - 2p
Urgent Care: 24-hour on-call
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