Community Health Nurse

Job Summary

The Community Health Nurse Coordinator works to build healthy community principles and the nursing process to assess communities, community members, and diverse populations and to plan, implement, and evaluate community health services or initiatives in an organized, systematic manner aligning community health activities across hospital service lines. 

Primary Responsibilities

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job responsibilities performed.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE ACCESS

Collaborates with a variety of community members and community groups, as well as private, public, and government groups, agencies, and organizations to improve the health of communities and members.

Provides for actual and anticipated health education needs of community members.

Documents education plan for services provided, incorporates education into daily health care activities and individualizes educational plan based on age, cultural, spiritual, and other values.

Makes recommendations for community members’ referrals based on assessed needs and outcomes, taking into consideration appropriate guidelines.

Facilitates healthcare access and coordination. Facilitates planning and coordination across medical center service lines.

Works to align various service lines under one cohesive community health plan and structure. Serves as a resource with service line teams for community health planning. 

COMMUNITY SCREENINGS AND IMMUNIZATIONS

Coordinates screening and immunization programs with Supervisor, medical center staff, physicians, volunteers and community partners.

Administers flu shots to community residents.

Performs clinical screenings as part of the comprehensive community health outreach including blood pressure screenings, bone density screenings, cancer screenings and other screenings as indicated in the community or home visits. Provides health education presentations alongside community partners and facilitates evidence-based programs to community members to promote positive lifestyle behaviors and safety.

Plans and implements screenings and immunization programs, ensuring marketing of such screenings is targeted to appropriate populations and staffing is adequate. Submits relevant proposals, statistics and reports when necessary.

Provides appropriate follow-up to screening participants. Includes securing the necessary permits for lab work as required and other approvals for medical care.

Ensures all clinical equipment is in working order maintains competencies on equipment for other team members.

Responsible for all documentation and approvals as appropriate and community member consents.

OUTREACH DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Works with department leadership to track community benefit regarding outreach work in Community Benefit Inventory for Social Accountability (CBISA).

Tracks departmental staff required education and trainings to ensure compliance.

Data management tracking for community outreach programs and education.

UTILIZES BUILDING HEALTHY COMMMUNITIES PRINCIPLES AND THE NURSING PROCESS TO ASSESS COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND DIVERSE POPULATIONS AND TO PLAN, IMPLEMENT, AND EVALUATE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES OR INITIATIVES IN AN ORGANIZED, AND SYSTEMATIC MANNER:

Performs individual and community health assessments for health assets, gaps, and risk factors. Uses source data including but not limited to community health assessment to gauge targeted populations and needs. Routinely investigates other area hospital programs to ensure medical centers are relevant with programming.

Reassesses community members and communities health assets, gaps, and risk factors as necessary and acts as advocate for community members or communities.

Interprets and utilizes health, quality of life, outcome and other data in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of community health initiatives or services.

Documents appropriately, keeps appropriate records, adheres to infection control standards and promotes and maintains a safe, clean, and orderly environment.

Maintains patient medical charts with appropriate screening results and recommended follow up.

Assumes responsibility and accountability for managing community services or initiatives to achieve desired outcomes.

Responds effectively in an emergency by initiating emergency measures including CPR and calling 911.

Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience - Required

Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Maryland, or eligible to practice due to Compact state agreements outlined through the MD Board of Nursing, is required.

Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.

Four (4) to six (6) years of nursing experience is required.

CPR certification required.

State driver’s license required.

Education & Experience - Preferred

Two (2) to four (4) years of previous participation in community or coalition groups and initiatives preferred. 

Six (6) to nine (9) years of experience preferred. 

Medical-surgical experience is preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge of audiovisual technology and principles of adult education is preferred. 

Additional Information:

This role is funded for an initial two-year period through a grant. Renewal is possible if future funding is secured; however, continuation beyond the grant period cannot be guaranteed.