Public Health Nurse II

Public Health Nurse

An employee in this classification provides nursing care in a public health clinic environment and/or in outreach settings such as homes, schools, childcare centers, or community settings. Work involves developing patient care plans. In clinic settings, the employee is typically responsible for providing nursing services to the community through the provision of a specific clinical program such as rabies prevention, sexually transmitted diseases, breast and cervical cancer, family planning, maternal health, sickle cell, and/or adult health. The classification requires more independent judgment and application of professional knowledge, skills, and abilities than the Public Health Nurse I and involves great complexity of work. Nurses in outreach settings often review and assess complex or potentially complex conditions, taking into account both the physical aspects of the issue and the impact of other factors such as patient or family strengths and resources, income, culture, and family dynamics in order to help families develop and implement a usable plan of care. Driving may be required. Considerable public contact is involved in working with clients from diverse socio and economic backgrounds. Work is circumscribed by the North Carolina Nurse Practice Act, public health nursing standards, clinic protocols, agency work standards and program protocols. Work requires a strong understanding of public health concepts, nursing theory and practice and more independent judgment in applying the professional standards and guidelines.

Performs a wide variety of nursing procedures such as conducting screening tests, soliciting information, providing information, counseling, and making health care referrals relative to programs of the Department with a significant level of independence typically with responsibility of specific clinic or community outreach programs and services.

Plans and manages a clinic(s) in a specific program area(s) such as family planning, maternal health, breast and cervical cancer, centra clinic, sexually transmitted diseases, rabies, sick cell, adult health, child health, immunizations, and/or blood lead; establishes clinic goals, policies, procedures, and guidelines in collaboration with other health care colleagues and supervisory management.

Coordinates assigned program functions; assures patient follow-up, education, and clinic preparation as per schedule.

Develops patient care plans for clients; provides critical and/or complex nursing services to patients requiring frequent to continuous monitoring, assessment and observation, some adjustments in treatment, and/or instruction due to frequent changes in patient's condition.

Administers immunizations, provide various health screenings, and obtains vitals.

Serves as liaison with physicians, local hospital, group homes, schools, residential facilities and/or other community programs in assigned clinic programs.

Performs work of Public Health Nurse I as necessary.

Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports at local, state, and federal levels.

May oversee health care supplies inventory and complete purchase requisitions.

Updates and maintains patient charts and care plans.

Operates health care equipment standard in the public health nurse profession.

Operates computer, scanner, calculator, and other standard office equipment incident to maintaining records.

Participates in patient care conferences.

Participates in ongoing training and program audits as required.

Ensures all federal, state, and local policies and procedures are followed.

Considerable knowledge of, and skill in, the application of nursing theory, practice, principles, and techniques employed in the field of public health and related programs.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and practices of public health.

Knowledge of available resources and organizations and the ability to coordinate these as needed.

Knowledge of current social and economic problems relating to public health, including health disparities; ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee the work of others.

Working knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, and equipment.

Skill to use a variety of office machines, computers, applicable software and typing.

Adequate computer skills to allow communication, patient record documentation, and accessing of information.

Skill in obtaining health history and patient assessments sufficient to determine if there is any deviation from normal.

Skill in collaborative conflict resolution, teamwork and customer service excellence.

Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions.

Ability to work in partnership with patients and with other service providers to elicit needed information and to maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to record accurately services rendered and to interpret and explain records, reports, and medical instructions.

Ability to plan and execute work.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with people of varied social, economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.

Ability to maintain composure, keeping emotions in check, even in difficult situations; and to attend work regularly.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative supervisors, with care providers, and various community organizations.

Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing and one year of professional nursing experience.

A current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the N. C. Board of Nursing.