Providence St. Mary Occupational Health provides medical and preventative health services for workers and employers in the Walla Walla Valley and Northeastern Oregon. It promotes safety and wellness, and provides evaluation and treatment of injured workers in a high quality program that emphasizes a healthy life style.

The Occupational Health team is experienced in working with many different kinds of professions and businesses. The team works with employees, case managers, employers and the insurance companies in a balanced manner that meets the needs of all of the key stake holders.  It assists employers with identifying hazards in the work place, and works with them on injury prevention as well as the recovery of employees injured on the job. It also considers the physical, psychological, spiritual and financial needs of employees.

The program includes:

Employment physicals and regulatory exams
Worker injury treatment
Substance abuse testing
Hearing evaluations
Blood-borne pathogen & exposure
Respiratory/pulmonary services
Vaccinations
Transportation & Small Business Consortium
Industrial claims management
Health screenings (future program)
Health education/wellness programs (future program)

Key Services

Employment physicals and regulatory exams are completed by Occupational Health providers in conjunction with company requests and policies.

Injury/exposure/illness prevention education and training is provided by staff from Providence St. Mary Medical Center to prevent a variety of work and lifestyle injuries and illnesses.

Worker injury treatment is available on a walk-in basis from our physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners who can provide extensive diagnostic and therapeutic services.

Substance abuse testing and regulatory compliance services are provided by certified personnel who are able to provide efficient and accurate testing, as well as the regulatory compliance training and documentation required.

Hearing conservation services to protect employees’ hearing and aid employers in complying with federal regulations. Services include noise monitoring, hearing tests, personal hearing protection, training and record keeping.

Blood-borne pathogen & exposure diagnosis and treatment services are available on a walk-in basis. Preventative education also is available.

Respiratory/pulmonary services include a questionnaire, pulmonary function testing and a medical exam to determine if an employee is able to use a respirator on the job. The results are reported to the employer and employee to assure compliance with OSHA requirements.  Respirator fit testing and training are also available.

Vaccinations that are a requirement of employment or for diseases that put the employee at risk are available on a walk-in basis or on site.

Transportation & Small Business Consortium is available to small businesses that may not otherwise be able to meet the Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing requirements because of economics, expertise and time.

Industrial claims management is provided by an experienced registered nurse who coordinates and expedites the care of the injured employee.  This includes communication with the injured employee, the employer, the insurer, and other medical and vocational providers. The goal is to return the employee to work force as quickly as is medically reasonable. This can lessen the impact of the medical and legal expenses for the employer involved in workers compensation.