Selecting and managing services from occupational health care vendors

The occupational health nurse possesses the clinical expertise and assessment skills to effectively select and manage the corporation's health care vendors--if this expertise is used as an avenue toward empowerment. The occupational health nurse must recognize this expertise and accept the accountability for vendor selection. The occupational health nurse must work to assume the authority to make vendor selection/management decisions. This article identifies several tools/strategies to use in selecting and managing health care vendors while achieving positive outcomes, i.e., employee health and productivity. The benefits of vendor management are directly related to employee productivity and morale and corporate financial health.