Public Health Nurse - Perinatal Hepatitis B

Public Health Nurse - Perinatal Hepatitis B

The Public Health Nurse is responsible for providing professional nursing services in clinics, homes and communities to ensure effective health promotion and disease prevention services and other public health department duties as assigned. The DCHD Public Health Nurse - Perinatal Hepatitis B is primarily an office position that plays a crucial role in preventing the transmission of Hepatitis B from infected mothers to their newborns through case management, education, and coordination with families and their healthcare providers.

Essential Duties

• Case Management: Identify and manage Hepatitis B positive pregnant women and their newborns.
• Education: Educate patients about Hepatitis B transmission, prevention, and the importance of immunoprophylaxis.
• Coordination: Coordinate care with multidisciplinary teams, including primary care providers, hospitals, and laboratories. Provide referrals to other county departments and/or agencies for services as needed.
• Surveillance: Conduct routine surveillance of Hepatitis B cases and report data to relevant health departments.
• Community Outreach: Work with community-based organizations to identify high-risk groups and provide education and vaccination. Participate in special educational outreach projects such as health fairs.
• Health Promotion: Conduct health education presentations to community groups and healthcare providers.
• Reporting: Prepare narrative reports and annual reports as required by health departments.
• Technical Assistance: Provide guidance to healthcare providers and laboratories regarding Hepatitis B testing, reporting, and follow-up care.
• Attend continuing education programs, staff meetings, program meetings, and meetings with other organizations and epidemiology team for outbreaks.
• Other duties and tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Nursing (BSN)
• Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN), issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
• Community or Public Health experience
• Current CPR / First Aid certification
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass a background check
• Ability to interact appropriately and effectively with a wide range of persons
• Ability to maintain and handle confidential information
• Ability to follow protocol, procedures, and established guidelines
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances and needs
• A strong work ethic and ability to manage a demanding and changing workload
• Pediatric experience a plus
• Ability to prepare and maintain good nursing records and reports
• Knowledge of infectious diseases and their treatment
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Strong relationship-building skills

Additional Information

Physical Demands

• Bending at the waist
• Climbing stairs
• Crawling
• Crouching or squatting
• Driving
• Hearing
• Kneeling
• Pushing, lifting, or carrying items
• Reaching or working with arms above shoulder height
• Sitting
• Standing
• Stooping
• Talking
• Twisting or rotating at the waist while working
• Walking

*The selected candidate will be required to obtain, at their own expense, 3 forms of clearance, including PA State Police Criminal History Record Check; PA Child Abuse History; and FBI Criminal History Background Check including finger printing prior to employment. **Delaware County Health Department requires all employees be up to date for their COVID-19 vaccination per CDC guidelines. Proof of vaccination must be submitted before a candidate's start date, if hired.