Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurse – Make a Measurable Impact in Your Community

Alamance County is seeking a motivated Public Health Nurse to join our clinical team and deliver essential care that strengthens the health of our entire community. This full-time (40 hrs/week) position provides primary and preventive services across multiple programs, including immunizations, communicable disease, TB, family planning, pregnancy testing, STD/HIV, well child health, maternity, and public health preparedness.

We're looking for a dedicated nurse who's ready to serve, grow, and make a difference. Recruitment remains open until the ideal candidate is selected.

What We Offer:

• Meaningful, mission-driven work
• Diverse clinical experience across key public health programs
• Continuing education allowance to support your ongoing professional development

Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive nursing assessments, interventions, and follow-up care in line with program policies and standing orders.

• Use independent clinical judgment to conduct screenings, build care plans, and make informed nursing decisions.

• Educate, counsel, and empower patients to make informed health choices.

• Obtain informed consent and ensure patients understand their treatment plans.

• Order labs under standing orders and provider directives to support accurate diagnosis and care.

• Provide follow-up, counseling, and referrals for abnormal clinical findings.

• Administer or dispense medications, including STD treatments and all FDA-approved birth control methods, in compliance with provider orders and NC Board of Pharmacy rules.

• Deliver immunizations in accordance with North Carolina state laws.

• Evaluate patient progress, monitor outcomes, and adjust care as needed.

• Ensure high-quality, accurate documentation in the EMR and required state systems (such as NCIR and NC EDSS).

• Provide follow-up for missed appointments and complete required reports.

• Conduct home visits when needed to ensure continuity of care.

• Assist patients in navigating appointments and services.

• Collaborate seamlessly with providers, internal teams, and community partners.

• Participate in ongoing training, department meetings, and professional development.

• Support community outreach efforts, including health fairs, communicable disease response, mass vaccination clinics, testing events, and emergency shelter staffing.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current and active registered nurse (RN) license in North Carolina, issued by the N.C. Board of Nursing.

• Valid driver's license and ability to conduct home visits as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with the ability to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients and families.

• Previous experience in public health, community health, or outpatient clinical settings.

• Experience with immunizations, communicable disease management, family planning, or STD/HIV services.

• Familiarity with state electronic systems such as NCIR and NC EDSS.

• Training or experience in emergency preparedness, mass vaccination clinics, or outbreak response.

• Strong interest in health education and community outreach.

Emergency Response Requirement:

This position, like all roles within the department, requires participation in emergency response activities as assigned by the health director or their designee. Availability during public health emergencies, drills, and preparedness exercises is expected. Responsibilities may include staffing emergency shelters and supporting response operations as needed.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and independent decision-making abilities.

• Ability to thrive in fast-paced clinic environments and adapt quickly to changing customer needs.

• Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to educate, counsel, and engage patients from diverse backgrounds.

• Clear and concise written communication skills for accurate documentation and reporting.

• Proficiency in electronic medical records and clinical documentation.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and community partners.

• High level of accountability and responsibility in all aspects of customer care.

• Strong attention to accuracy and detail in clinical tasks and documentation.

• Compassionate approach to patient care, demonstrating empathy, respect, and professionalism.

• Unwavering honesty, integrity, and commitment to confidentiality and ethical conduct.

• Sound judgment and discretion in interpreting and applying policies, procedures, and clinical guidelines.

• Safety-minded approach to creating a secure environment for customers, staff, and the community.

• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to contribute positively toward shared goals and outcomes.