Public Health Nurse II

Public Health Nurse

With equity and compassion, we protect, serve, and educate, empowering everyone in Gaston County to achieve their best health.

An hourly salary range of $30.43 - $36.14 is anticipated for this position. The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

• Leadership: Works with PHN III to coordinate the overall operation of the Tuberculosis Control program in accordance with NC Tuberculosis Control Branch guidance and agreements. Assists in implementation of project activities, coordination with other agencies, development of material and conduct trainings regarding TB Control for staff and the community. Other duties as assigned.
• Interprofessional Collaboration: Work as point of contact to the public and private adult providers, schools, child care centers, FQHC, substance abuse centers, correctional and Long Term Care facilities as it relates to Tuberculosis Control.
• Program Planning: Plans for tuberculosis control and assists with the Respiratory Protection Program. Regularly inform and educate health department staff, providers, and other partners regarding any changes in NC TB Control guidance.
• Clinic Duties: Provides comprehensive public health nursing services for individuals, families and the community in core Nursing, and Communicable Disease Control programs; Delivers nursing services through clinics, home visits, case management, and community outreach programs. Works with TB PHN III to carry out Tuberculosis Control program duties in accordance with NC Tuberculosis Control branch guidance and agreements. Serves as a Communicable Disease (CD) Community Outreach team member including GHOP, providing education on prevention and surveillance and providing vaccinations within the Gaston County community. Assigned Follow-Up: Team members will be assigned specific tasks by Nursing Supervisor or Charge Nurse to assure that contract addenda requirements and department specific needs are met. Examples: Lab review and follow-up, rabies investigation and follow-up, STD treatment documentation, and other miscellaneous tasks as needed.
• Quality Assurance/ Quality Improvement: Complete monthly audits per agency schedule to assure compliance with standing orders and ACIP guidance. Discuss audit findings with members of the team as an educational and quality improvement opportunity.
• Other Duties As Assigned: Attends all mandatory agency meetings and trainings; Assists the community during emergencies such as natural disasters or bio-terrorism events by delivering services in the field as needed. Participates in staffing emergency shelter, administering vaccinations to the community and providing nursing care to assure community safety.
• Carry out Performance Management (PM) roles and responsibilities, including identifying and communicating performance improvement opportunities and adjusting performance and practice to achieve established PM goals.
• Implement strategies aimed at achieving Health Equity, including but not limited to: attending trainings to better understand inequities, identifying and addressing barriers to health, serving on the Health Equity Team or its subcommittees, engaging in internal or external efforts to eliminate health disparities.

Associates Degree or Diploma in Nursing, one year of professional nursing experience required. Bachelor's degree in Nursing which included a Public Health Rotation.

• Must have a current:
• Unencumbered State of North Carolina RN License
• Valid CPR Certification
• Valid vehicle operator's license
• Must successfully complete the North Carolina Public Health Credentialing Course within 1 year of hire

A COPY OF YOUR RN LICENSE AND CPR CERTIFICATION MUST BE ATTACHED TO YOUR APPLICATION. FAILURE TO ATTACH THESE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MAY RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING REJECTED.

Lateral Entry Incentive: Any full-time Law Enforcement Officer, Detention Officer, Public Health Nurse, EMT or Paramedic hired into Gaston County's Public Safety or Health Departments (Police, Sheriff, GEMS, Public Health), after 7/1/2026 with at least two years of full-time law enforcement, EMT/Paramedic, or professional nursing experience will receive lateral entry incentive pay in two installments. The first installment will be issued upon the completion of 6 months of continued service with Gaston County. The second installment will be issued upon completion of an additional one year of continued county service. The Lateral Entry Incentive Pay will be equal to the following amounts:

• $3,000 – EMTs and Public Health Nurses (two installments of $1,500)
• $4,000 – Detention Officers and Paramedics (two installments of $2,000)
• $5,000 – Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs (two installments of $2,500)

The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment. In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2 (b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.

At Gaston County, we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees, job applicants, and members of the community we serve. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws. Gaston County will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Full-Time employees are eligible for the total compensation package which includes:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Savings Plans
  • Pension
  • 401K (with 5% county contribution annually)
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Discounted YMCA Membership

Part-Time employees are eligible for certain benefits as a part of employment with Gaston County such as:

• Pro-Rated Sick and Annual Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Local Government Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Half-Time employees are not eligible for benefits. To learn more details about the many benefits we provide view our Employee Benefits Guide. Overall, if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career with competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, Gaston County is the place for you.