SENIOR COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE

Senior Community Health NurseThank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join our team!The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Polk County in its mission to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.Your specific responsibilities include providing clinical services such as Adult Health, Family Planning, OB, STD, HIV, and Immunizations. The incumbent's duties include but are not limited to the following:Follow all local, state, and federal rules and regulations.Comply and perform within the scope of practice as defined by the Florida Nurse Practice Act.Preparation of the clinic area and equipment.Assist physicians and APRNs with exams and procedures.Interprets, educates, and reinforces the provider's plan of care for the client.Interview clients to obtain health history and presenting complaints.Follow up on abnormal and late lab reports.Administer medications as ordered by physicians/providers or under medical protocol and guidelines.Make appropriate referrals and assist clients to make necessary arrangements.Document and maintain accurate data entry into the client Electronic Health Record.Assess immunization status of all clients and immunizes in accordance with current standards.Provide screening for the HIV antibody virus, pre and posttest counsels, provides education, and refers for medical evaluation and other support services.Work closely with the supervisor to create a smooth flow of the clinic and increase client satisfaction and work towards decreasing client wait time.Works with PFS pharmaceutical system to make sure medications are ordered and received, the inventory is kept up to date, and notifies any discrepancies to the supervisor.Assessing needs and planning with families to meet these needs; documents care and services in HMS.Giving and/or demonstrating nursing care specific to client's needs; documents care and services in HMS.Educates and counsels clients and their families according to assessed needs.Provides emotional support to clients and families.Confers with physicians and other community agencies to provide continuity of care.Reviews records for accuracy and completeness for QI audits.Provides necessary follow up and referrals in a timely manner.Follow-up of epidemiological investigations, as requested.Facilitate case management of families through work with staff, Medicaid HMOs, and/or insurance companies.Is cross trained to work independently to provide services to clients under protocol in Family Planning, STD, and/or TB as assigned.Collect specimens for laboratory tests and interpret laboratory results.Take vital signs and perform other screening tests.Works closely with SCHNS regarding staffing in the clinic and as a backup in all areas.Incumbent will travel to and cover other clinics within the county as staffing needs indicate and as directed.Participates in staff and in-service educational programs.Assists with inventory of supplies, medications, and vaccines.Assists with monitoring temperature controls with notation on appropriate logs for refrigerators and freezer per protocol.Maintains time/attendance/travel/EARs records.Maintains and increases competency through educational materials and classes.Assists in orientation of new personnel and volunteers.Assists with preceptorship of students assigned to the clinic.Assists with supervision, as a charge nurse, of the clinical staff and the clinic as assigned by the Sr. CHN Supervisor.This position may serve clients that speak only Spanish, Creole, or other languages. It may require performance of interpreter duties, if bilingual, or implementation of the Department's limited English proficiency plan.Required knowledge, skills, and abilities include:Knowledge of nursing principles, practices, and techniques in specialized areas.Knowledge of agency policies and procedures.Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.Ability to properly administer prescribed medications.Ability to perform complete physical assessment of patients.Ability to identify and evaluate illnesses.Ability to initiate diagnostic laboratory tests and evaluate the results.Ability to manage the care of patients.Ability to work with patients having a variety of physical and socio-economic problems.Ability to compile and evaluate medical histories and other clinical and laboratory data.Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.Ability to communicate effectively.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.Ability to be flexible with set schedule and able to plan the day according to the need of the clinics.Knowledge of EHR and Microsoft Office Suite.Skill in the use of nursing equipment and instruments.Qualifications include:Licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) in accordance with Chapter 464, Florida Statutes or eligible to practice nursing in accordance with Florida Administrative Code 210-8.22 or 8.27.Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification required.Valid FL Driver license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days.Where you will work: Lakeland, FL. The benefits of working for the State of Florida include annual and sick leave benefits, paid holidays, state group insurance coverage options, retirement plan options, flexible spending accounts, tuition waivers, and more!