Hackensack Meridian Team Health (dba HM Works) is certified by the National Association of Occupational Health Professionals

In October, the National Association of Occupational Health Professionals (NAOHP) certified Hackensack Meridian Health’s occupational medicine program, Team Health. The certification places HM Works among an elite group of occupational medicine programs nationwide that are recognized for meeting or exceeding NAOHP standards. It’s also a milestone in the Garden State.

“This achievement makes us the only nationally certified occupational medicine program in New Jersey,” says Keith Lavin, MBA, director of business operations at Hackensack Meridian Team Health. “It’s validation of the work we do, recognizing that we’re leaders in the field of occupational health.”

To receive certification, occupational medicine programs must demonstrate that their organization meets NAOHP standards relating to:

• Administration and organization, a program’s leadership, governance and accountability
• Operational framework, whether policies and procedures measure up
• Staffing resources, with teams of qualified, high-performing individuals 
• Clinical services, including injury management, surveillance and drug-free workplace
• Quality management, with consistent improvement for measurable outcomes
• Sales and marketing, showing employee engagement and strategic growth

How NAOHP certification elevates HM Works

NAOHP fosters community among the occupational health programs that receive certification. The professional organization offers its members programs and other valuable resources, including career development opportunities and strategies designed to help occupational medicine programs improve their metrics. With additional knowledge and training, NAOHP helps certified programs strengthen their relationships with employers and continually strive to improve patient care.

By becoming NAOHP-certified, HM Works has joined a network of occupational medicine leaders and professionals from peer programs across the nation. This enables individuals from HM Works to seek advice from other organizations, share ideas, and explore new approaches to challenges. HM Works and other certified occupational medicine programs can connect through NAOHP’s online platform, at in-person conferences, and during other educational events throughout the year.

“NAOHP brings together occupational medicine programs from across the country with a wide range of experience,” Lavin says. “Some of the people have been doing this for 30 years. Some of the programs are truly cutting-edge. There’s a lot of sharing of best practices. It’s nice to be in the company of such respected, large hospital systems.”

How HM Works’ new NAOHP certification benefits employers

Employers who see the NAOHP certification seal on the HM Works website should recognize that the designation signifies our occupational medicine program has been recognized for its qualified providers, high-caliber clinical services, and commitment to ongoing improvement.

“Occupational medicine is a niche service, and it has very unique parameters,” Lavin says. “Organizations like OSHA and NIOSH make dictates to organizations and companies, but your average family physician doesn’t know about the exams that workers need. We fill that gap. We understand what OSHA is requesting, why they’re requesting it, and what needs to be done. Occupational medicine programs, such as HM Works, are intimately familiar with the guidelines, rules, and recommendations. The NAOHP certification is validation that we’re a reliable resource for employers.”

To learn more about HM Works’ new NAOHP certification, or to find out how the customizable services that HM Works offers can improve the health and safety of your workforce, contact us at hmworks@hmhn.org.