By Kyle Braulick
Regional Director, Fit For Work
We often picture healthcare in a traditional clinical setting—a medical provider treating patients in a doctor’s office. But as early as 1888, a Pennsylvania coal company brought nurse Betty Moulder, RN, onsite to care for its workers, marking one of the earliest examples of occupational health in action.
Since then, occupational health has continued to evolve. Today, as companies place greater emphasis on workforce wellness, investing in healthcare roles within the workplace has become more than just a trend—it’s a strategic business move. This shift toward non-traditional healthcare positions is not only delivering value to employers and employees, but also opening up exciting new career paths.
Here, we’ll look at the expanding role of healthcare in industry, its benefits, and the growing opportunities these roles are offering to professionals across the field.
Healthcare Roles in Industry
Expanding industrial healthcare roles include these titles and descriptions:
- Occupational Health Specialist/Injury Prevention Specialist – support the health and wellness of workers inside and outside of the workplace
- Industrial Hygienist – protect workers’ health and safety by identifying and managing potential hazards and risks
- Safety Consultant – assess dangers and recommend safety protocols to ensure regulatory compliance, including training/education
- Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager – promote a culture of safety while ensuring a healthy workplace, including environmental stewardship
- Ergonomics Specialist – evaluate workplace conditions and recommend modifications to manage the risk of injury, ensure safety, and increase efficiency
- Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) – study ways that people interact with the work environment and systems, applying theoretical principles to optimize wellbeing and performance
Certifications and training may include OSHA guidelines (e.g., occupational health and safety certifications), data analytics for health professionals, plus human factors and ergonomics.
Companies are leveraging inherent healthcare skills – critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, leadership, as well as medical best practice – to fulfill these functions:
Injury Prevention
- Assess and mitigate workplace hazards
- Train employees in ergonomics to reduce repetitive strain injuries
- Implement emergency response programs for injuries and illnesses
- Conduct health risk assessments and implement preventive measures
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, CDC, and other regulatory guidelines
Wellness Initiatives
- Provide nutrition, fitness, and mental health guidance
- Develop and oversee wellness initiatives tailored to the industry
Technology Integration
- Implement AI-driven health monitoring systems
- Use predictive analytics to reduce absenteeism and injuries
- Analyze employee health trends to optimize safety protocols
Inter-Departmental Collaboration
- Coordinate with industrial engineers to improve workflow and ergonomics
- Work with HR to create programs enhancing employee well-being and retention
Outcomes include a 50% reduction in injuries plus a return on investment ranging from 2:1 to 5:1. Perception also counts, as one manager noted that having healthcare onsite has “helped change the culture and the safety mindset of this division.”
Employer and Employee Benefits
Healthcare professionals deliver benefits to both employers and employees. Occupational health brings empathy and care to the workplace, along with the ability to evaluate and address healthcare needs. Rather than settling for cookie-cutter plans, businesses gain individualized, injury-prevention approaches for workers with limited mobility, chronic conditions, or past injuries.
Employees benefit from an expert who is committed to their success and understands the human body and how it functions. Delivering these ergonomic solutions per OSHA and other guidelines ensures effectiveness and compliance.
A significant advantage is the ability to move from a reactive approach to a proactive mindset – not waiting for an injury to occur but saving employees and employers pain, cost, and lost time by preventing injury.
Injury prevention specialists can identify risk factors, catch symptoms early, and provide recommendations. Approaches range from adjusting workstations to educating on proper lifting techniques to influencing safety protocols. Industries, in turn, gain new expertise in occupational health, ergonomics, and data-driven health initiatives that leverage data analysis to track trends and develop proactive solutions.
According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), there is solid evidence that onsite healthcare professionals, such as athletic trainers (ATs), make a difference in preventing injuries and reducing workers’ compensation costs:
Employees enjoy a more positive culture, and managers see increased team morale as jobs are more customized for workers. A whole-person approach to wellness (on and off the job) increases job satisfaction and employee retention.
Healthy workers become more productive workers as traditional barriers to care (e.g., waiting for soreness to become an injury, scheduling off-site doctor visits) are removed, lending further momentum to expanded workplace wellness programs and their acceptance. When DART (Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred) rates — which track work-related injuries serious enough to cause missed work, limited duties, or job transfers — go down, everyone benefits. It also lowers the chances of an OSHA inspection.
Healthcare Career Opportunities in Industry
Educational institutions still primarily focus on the traditional healthcare model of “seeing patients in clinics.” However, more forward-thinking universities are highlighting nontraditional pathways, including occupational health in industrial settings. There’s room to grow, as NATA reports around 6% of athletic trainers work in this area, including roles in industrial settings like manufacturing, construction, and warehousing, where they focus on injury prevention, risk management, and rehabilitation to improve productivity.
Opportunities are increasing as companies seek experts to roll out workplace wellness initiatives. Emerging technology is also fueling career growth, with the advent of AI-driven ergonomics and predictive health analytics. Many healthcare professionals welcome cross-functional collaboration with other professionals, such as industrial engineers and human resources managers.
Additionally, today’s remote and hybrid work models present new challenges in supporting employees who work from home. This shift expands the scope of ergonomic and occupational health roles, requiring new strategies to assess and support employee well-being beyond traditional work environments.
Benefits of occupational health careers include:
- Work-life balance – the clinical setting or sports medicine roles can require long hours, whereas most industrial positions offer predictable workweeks
- Patient focus – occupational health allows for time spent with people, with less emphasis on coding, insurance, and billing
- Variety in everyday tasks – roles include ergonomics, testing, safety, and consulting functions, in addition to building relationships with workers and managers
- Opportunities for growth – corporations may offer promotion to managerial positions
As with any career, challenges exist. Healthcare professionals transitioning into industry may need to educate coworkers about their expertise, seek additional certifications for certain roles, and adapt to a corporate environment versus a clinical one. At the same time, they will gain insight into organizational dynamics and explore new ways to align their services with evolving workforce needs.
Conclusion
The demand for healthcare professionals in industry is growing and with it comes exciting new career opportunities for skilled workers.
Whether you’re a business leader looking to enhance your workforce’s health and safety or a healthcare professional seeking a rewarding career that balances personal and professional growth, now is the time to explore the expanding world of occupational health.
No longer optional, occupational health is both a strategic advantage for organizations and a fulfilling, future-focused career for healthcare professionals.
Looking to improve workplace health and safety or make an impact in occupational care? We’re here to help—contact us to learn more or click here to explore Fit For Work career opportunities.
Kyle Braulick is a BOC-certified athletic trainer and Regional Director at Fit For Work, where he has been an integral team member since 2012. He graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2010, and earned his degree from North Dakota State University in 2012.
With over a decade of experience in the field, Kyle provides onsite services and oversees operations across the Midwest. Based in Minnesota, he lives with his wife and their two sons. Outside of work, he stays active by coaching youth baseball, playing softball, woodworking, and volunteering at his local church.
