Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurse

The City of Racine Health Department is recruiting for a talented Public Health Nurse. We also offer a great benefits package including medical, dental, pension program, HSA, generous time off and flexible schedule. City residents will earn a 4% differential on top of the hourly pay range. Learn more and apply today!

As a Public Health Nurse, you will play a vital role in improving the health and well-being of mothers, infants, and families in our community. This position focuses on maternal and child health and sexual and reproductive clinical services, emphasizing prevention, early intervention, and health education. Join a dedicated team committed to advancing health equity, promoting healthy pregnancies and birth outcomes, and building stronger families across Racine.

Position Purpose

The Public Health Nurse provides skilled public health nursing services under the direction of the Public Health Administrator and / or their designee.

**New graduates are welcome and encouraged to apply.**

• Assess individual holistic needs, including psychological, social, environmental, nutritional, family, and personal through health clinics and home visitation.
• Assist individuals in maintaining / improving their health through health promotion and disease prevention services including women's pelvic and men's genital examinations.
• Utilize Medical Director Standing Orders indicating treatment and coordination of client care.
• Perform skilled nursing interventions including surveillance, investigation, case finding, creating / maintaining community partnerships, implement policies/procedures/plans.
• Conduct outreach/referral/follow-up, case management, health education, counseling, consultation, screening and advocacy.
• Maintain a thorough and current knowledge of sexually transmitted infections.
• Maintain a thorough and current knowledge of childhood / adult vaccine schedules, education, administration, and maintenance of vaccine records.
• Maintain a thorough and current knowledge of communicable diseases and lead poisoning.
• Maintain patient records utilizing software applications, computer systems, and/or written notes according to program and best practice standards.
• Use critical thinking skills to coordinate appropriate care plans, and to direct critical interventions and / or referrals.
• Maintain a thorough and current knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing applicable to the areas of assessment, promotion and maintenance of the health of at-risk individuals, families, and the community.
• Maintain a thorough and current knowledge of standard, health assessment practices, protocols and equipment.
• Coordinate epidemiological event responses, including foodborne illness outbreaks, to determine causes and corrective actions.
• Provide input at case management encounters, departmental meetings, conferences, evaluations, planning committees, and outreach activities.
• Participate in peer review activities and evaluation of program effectiveness.
• Manage assigned grants and / or contracts, ensure that objectives and deliverables are met, and reports are completed on time / resubmit grant applications.
• Collaborate effectively with agency administration to provide services for community emergency intervention.
• Maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record.

Additional Tasks and Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned or required.
• Act as a first responder in a natural disaster or any public health, chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological event.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Nursing from an accredited program. The accredited program shall include specific preparation in public health nursing or community health nursing.
• Current Register Nursing license with the State of Wisconsin is required and must be maintained for the duration of employment.
• In addition, a minimum of two (2) years of employment in the field of nursing with demonstrated expertise in all requisite areas; additional years of experience is desirable.
• A valid Wisconsin driver's license and reliable motor vehicle with mandatory levels of insurance coverage.
• Current CPR/AED/First Aid Certification or the ability to obtain such certification within six months of hire. Certifications must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Working knowledge of community systems / ability to initiate referrals to community health care providers, social service, and advocacy agencies, and the ability to effectively refer clients as needed.
• Knowledge of HIPAA compliance standards and all aspects of client privacy practices.
• Knowledge / experience evaluating health trends and risk factors of target populations.
• Ability to establish professional relationships with clients, peers, supervisors and community organization members.
• Personal initiative combined with the ability to work independently and interdependently.
• Substantial working knowledge of and experience with current Microsoft Office suite or newer (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Publisher), desktop publishing, and the Internet combined with the ability to pass all required skills tests.
• Previous experience working with large / specialized databases and preparing data for analysis.
• Ability to analyze data and / or manipulate data in Microsoft Excel and / or applicable databases using established criteria to determine significance and assess outcomes.
• Must be able to compare, count, measure, copy, compute, tabulate, and categorize data combined with the ability to pass all required skills tests
• Ability to effectively acquire and utilize scientific / client data obtained from a variety of sources including patient records, lab reports, physician orders, maps, flow charts, and statistical reports.
• Ability to comprehend, utilize, and implement information from a variety of sources including personnel policies, employee performance evaluations, time study sheets, policy documents, nursing procedure manuals, scientific medical textbooks, and computer software operating manuals.
• Proficient oral / written English language skills including proper spelling, punctuation and grammar with the ability to pass required skill tests.
• Effective oral and written communication skills at all levels of responsibility including clients and their families, physicians, local / state / and federal personnel, pharmacists, hospital and jail personnel.
• Ability to assist in the development, submission, and implementation of successful grant proposals.
• Ability to interpret, regulate, and enforce state, local, and federal laws, regulations, and rules.
• Ability to effectively train and coordinate activities of interns and visiting students

Physical Demands of the Position

• Standing, walking, sitting, and stooping.
• Kneeling, crouching, climbing, balancing and bending/twisting.
• Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling (up to 35 lbs.).
• Handling, grasping, fingering, filing, typing, and writing.

Environmental/Work Conditions

Office and a wide variety of indoor/outdoor environments.

Equipment Used

Effective utilization and maintenance of computer workstations, associated equipment and software / database applications, copy center, fax machine, multi-line telephone system, cellular telephone, flashlight, digital / video camera, audio / visual and miscellaneous office / medical / inspection / laboratory equipment.

The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer