Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurse

The Public Health Nurse plans, develops, and implements programs and interventions to promote the health of the community and prevent illness and injury. This position provides resources and public health nursing services related to communicable disease, immunizations, child safety, and more to community members in a variety of settings. The Public Health Nurse is also a School Nurse for the Menasha Joint School District (approximately 50% of the time). This position assesses and triages student health concerns and provides direct care to students, assists in the development of IEPs and 504 Plans, and trains school personnel on student health needs. Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm Weekly Hours: 37.5 Year-round Hourly Pay Range Full pay range: $35.39 - $45.22 Anticipated hiring range: $35.39 - $39.32, based on qualifications and experience Offers above $39.32 require approval from the Personnel Committee and Common Council

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under general supervision and/or as part of workgroups and teams, the Public Health Nurse performs the following within the framework of the core competencies and essential services of public health:

• Conducts communicable disease surveillance.
• Investigates communicable diseases in diverse settings and makes recommendations for control in accordance with state guidelines.
• Conducts home visits as needed or requested to support individuals and families in the areas of pregnancy care, infant care, older adult concerns, among others.
• Provides referrals to other local agencies for needed services.
• Advises and assists individuals and families in carrying out recommendations made by a physician, and in making the necessary adaptations so that the treatment regimen can be followed.
• Conducts medication administration for latent tuberculosis and tuberculosis.
• Plans and participates in monthly immunization clinics. Administers vaccines to children and adults.
• Develops and engages in educational and outreach activities and programs to promote chronic and communicable disease prevention and community public health.
• Serves as a preceptor for undergraduate and graduate university students.
• Collaborates with nursing instructors to coordinate activities of visiting nursing students.
• Represents the health department on various community committees, coalitions, or work groups.
• Participates in department and community public health emergency response planning, training, and exercising in support of public health emergency and disaster preparedness.
• Performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with job classification in response to threats to the public's health. Maintains 24/7 communication for public health response.
• Participates in the community health assessment process and in departmental strategic planning.
• Engages in and may lead contingency planning (e.g. succession plans, continuity of operations plan).
• Contributes to the development, revision, and implementation of health department policies and procedures as assigned or requested by the PH Director.
• Contributes to the development and management of program work plans and budgets.
• May contribute to the preparation of proposals for funding from external resources.

School Nursing

• Reports to assigned schools during the school year at a frequency determined to be mutually beneficial to the health department and the schools.
• Triages student health concerns and provides direct care to students. Treats injuries and assesses the need for communicable disease management in school.
• Reviews student immunization records and tracks immunization compliance.
• Communicates with school personnel and families regarding student health concerns, injuries, communicable disease control requirements, and recommended vaccinations.
• Works with school personnel and healthcare providers to develop and follow a plan of care for students with chronic health conditions.
• Completes charting on student health, medications, and treatment received utilizing Infinite Campus.
• Conducts training for school health aides and additional school personnel on student health needs.
• Coordinates work tasks, schedules, and monitors performance of school health aides.
• Collaborates with partners to conduct or coordinate hearing and vision screenings in the schools.
• Assists school personnel in the development of 504 and Individualized Education Program (IEP) plans.
• Assists schools in supporting the overall health of students.
• Reviews school health policies, procedures, and protocols and recommends updates or changes.

Other

• Provides classroom instruction in CPR/First Aid.
• Adheres to nursing standards of practice and follows department policies, procedures, and protocols as well as local, state and federal regulations.
• Maintains adequate and confidential records according to statutes, codes, standards, policies and procedures.
• Fosters a healthy work environment through team collaboration, mutual respect, and support.
• Applies principles of ethics, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
• Performs other duties as assigned consistent with job classification.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program, including preparation in public health nursing or community health nursing, as indicated in Wisconsin Administrative Code 139.08. At least two (2) years of experience in public health or school nursing is preferred. Also, an equivalent combination of experience and training providing the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Knowledge of the core functions and essential services of public health, and social and structural determinants of health.
• Knowledge of and skill in current public health nursing and school nursing principles, processes, and practice.
• Ability to implement the nursing process: assessment, problem identification, care planning, intervention, follow-up and evaluation.
• Knowledge of legal limitations and standards of nursing practice in Wisconsin.
• Knowledge of disease prevention, universal precautions and infection control, bloodborne pathogens, respiratory protection, health assessment, and health promotion.
• Knowledge of electronic medical record documentation standards.
• Knowledge of grant coordination, implementation, evaluation and reporting.
• Ability to carry out general instructions and to make independent judgments in relation to the application of nursing principles.
• Ability to exercise tact, initiative, and good judgement in dealing with people.
• Ability to express ideas clearly, orally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate with persons of varying levels of education, understanding, and values and work with diverse populations in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of persons, including community members, healthcare organizations, school personnel, students and families, and community-based agencies.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability and skills to administer injections.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to organize work activities to meet objectives and manage multiple programs/tasks/priorities.
• Skilled in using Microsoft Office software; proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to operate a variety of standard office equipment, including telephone, computer, printer/copier, and fax machine.
• Ability to effectively train and coordinate activities of health aides and visiting students.
• Ability to perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and timely nursing records, reports, and charts.
• Ability to comply with all laws, policies, and procedures related to maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, needs, and workloads and to accommodate flexible scheduling to address department, program, or client needs.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must possess a Registered Nurse License for the State of Wisconsin.
• Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license and proof of current automobile insurance.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Must obtain American Heart Association BLS CPR and First Aid Instructor certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Completion of National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) 100 and 200, 700 and 800 certifications within six (6) months of employment.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Physical Demands The physical