Occupational Health programs Bring Value to Area Employers
Mountain States Health Alliance is leading the way in finding cost-effective solutions to managing employee health. Through our specialized programs we build partnerships amongst employers, health providers and other key stakeholders to provide high quality medical care for our region’s workforce the best value to be found.
Our team of occupational physicians and occupational health specialists are uniquely qualified by medical training, experience, and knowledge of the work environment and workforce to champion the cause of managing the health of populations as well as individuals. Occupational and environmental medicine is the medical specialty devoted to prevention and management of occupational injury and illness, and the health and productivity of workers, their families and communities. Our physicians, Dr. Marilyn Bishop, Dr. Kevin Blackwell and Dr. Steven Castle are all Board certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine with a Specialty in Occupational Medicine. Together they have over sixty five years of medical experience.
The occupational health physician assists employers by detecting exposures, identifying hazards, and protecting the workforce through pre-placement exams and medical (OSHA) monitoring. Working with corporate management and other occupational health specialists, the occupational physician provides evaluations to insure a match between the worker and essential job functions. Formal evaluations of the essential job tasks performed by qualified physical therapists identifies tasks which increase risk of injury and allow for more formal evaluation of the workers capacity for performing tasks safely.
Utilizing scientific, evidence-based treatment guidelines our occupational physicians increase the effectiveness and value of medical care to injured workers. Employees are expeditiously returned to duty improving overall outcomes and reducing lost time. Communication with the employer about the activity status of the employee and expectations for recovery is provided. Occupational health professionals are familiar with OSHA recordability, and, support employers’ compliance with applicable workers compensation law.
A comprehensive drug-free workplace program has been developed that provides employers with access to experienced, certified Medical Review Officers, collectors, substance abuse professionals and laboratory services. This service is offered at a national level and includes expert consultation for policy development and participation in the legal defense of these programs. The occupational health professional further champions the cause of worker health and productivity. Optimal health reduces absenteeism, presenteeism, disability, employee turnover, and direct health care costs.
The provision of occupational health services at the workplace and the establishment of on-site medical clinics are helping Corporate America transform the face of health care by saving considerable time and money, not to mention improve employee satisfaction. Mountain States Health Alliance provides on-site occupational services such as drug screening, vaccinations and OSHA required evaluations to area employers reducing productivity lost when the employee has to leave the workplace to access these services. During the last five years on-site medical clinics have also been established to provide wellness promotion, health coaching, primary care and workers compensation evaluations utilizing nurses, dieticians, nurse practitioners and physicians.
The on-site medical clinic helps employees find the right health care resources and provides points of care to supplement any visits to their primary care physician (PCP). Focused on the mission of concerns have included diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and health risk reduction. They support safety and risk management initiatives, but focus on providing strategies to change unhealthy behaviors through diet, exercise and other lifestyle interventions.
An on-site medical clinic can significantly reduce the amount of time away from work for routine doctor appointments at no cost to employees for whom it could take three or four hours to see a physician in the community. They also help remove care barriers for employees suffering chronic conditions and engage them in a meaningful dialogue with medical professionals around their particular needs on an ongoing basis. For local employers who have utilized this service there has been proven cost containment for with reduction in health care insurance, decreased injury occurrence and reduction in workers compensation costs.
Mountain States Health Alliance understands that “people” - employees are a company’s most valuable asset. We believe in partnering with businesses to protect this asset by making the health and safety of their employees our primary focus. With our network of specialists and over 10 years experience we remain committed to supporting our community and workforce, improving their health and productivity, and, containing cost through the provision of exceptional occupational health care.