Public Health, Registered Nurse (RN)

Public Health Registered Nurse

This position works to assure the delivery of preventative health care and services that use the public health framework to promote the health and well-being of communities, individuals and families in Alamosa County. The position works to mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems, develop plans, link people to resources and evaluate effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population-based health services. Responsibilities include communicable disease control, immunization coordination, emergency preparedness, health education, tobacco prevention, maternal-child health, tuberculosis testing/treatment and interagency collaboration. Public Health regularly participates in health events in the community, which can occur on weekends and evenings. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions:

• Identify the physical, social, and emotional health needs of individuals and families through systematic assessment utilizing professional skills, health history, physical evaluation, laboratory, and other diagnostic tools. Teach and counsel individuals, families, and groups for the prevention of disease and disability, and for maintenance of health.
• Participate in establishing community care goals and assure quality of care by measuring health care goals and standards.
• Plan and participate in public education and awareness activities related to public health, disease control and prevention.
• Participate in the Colorado Health Assessment and Planning process within the department.
• Participate with Public Health colleagues to establish program priorities and evaluate the effectiveness of programs in terms of health status of individuals, families and the community.
• Provides tobacco and nicotine prevention education in schools, helping students develop the knowledge and skills to make healthy, informed choices.
• Collaborates with community partners to support tobacco and nicotine prevention efforts and connects individuals with cessation resources to help them quit.
• Assist with immunization program management, including on-site and off-site clinics, as needed. Remain current on all immunization education, ACIP guidelines, and agency policies and procedures in order to assure safe and accurate vaccination of persons across the lifespan.
• Maintain current licenses and certifications. Complete position-specific training, maintain program information and protocols by attending continuing education courses related to program responsibilities. Keep up-to-date with technology and apply new knowledge to the job.
• Attend required meetings, trainings, conference calls or other technical assistance methods required by contract deliverables and prevention best-practices, as well as department meetings and local trainings.
• Comply with federal, state and local procedures, rules and regulations and employer policies and procedures.
• Enter data into applicable computer programs; learn and apply new computer skills on a regular basis.
• Manage grant reporting and writing, as needed within the scope of specific programs or assignments.
• Investigate health problems and health hazards (communicable disease) in Alamosa County.
• Conduct tuberculosis testing and follow up.
• Maintain professional conduct, use exceptional customer service skills to respond to community needs, enhance public relations, coordinate activities, and represent Alamosa County Public Health Department in order to promote and maintain a positive public health image and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.
• Work independently while maintaining strong professional boundaries.
• Participate in collaborative activities with community partners, including mobilization to identify and address health problems, health inequities and service gaps.
• Submit progress reports for primary programs as assigned, completing these in compliance with designated deadlines, and following accepted standards for professional and technical writing.
• Support Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response. Obtain and maintain NIMS certification. In the event of an exercise or emergency with a public health component, may serve in the Incident Command Structure as assigned by the Incident Commander.
• Maintain sensitive and confidential records information. Adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines, including HIPAA, program-specific guidelines and the appropriate non-disclosure and/or release of information. Record proper documentation of client care, condition, progress, and problems; involve supervisor when appropriate.
• Work the scheduled hours each day/week established for this position and be available as needed outside of Health Department operating hours to attend and assist with night meetings, communication events, community outreach events and to assist with response to public health emergencies.
• Perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to efficiently communicate in English both written and verbal.
• Ability to complete communicable disease investigations.
• Understanding of the community and its assessment in terms of health status, behaviors, practices and attitudes.
• Working knowledge of the Colorado Nurse Practice Act.
• Working knowledge of MS Office and other software, able to apply knowledge of computers within secure databases, able to learn new technologies.
• Can read, analyze, and interpret documents.
• Can respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to create trusting, therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Able to compose presentations and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.
• Ability to work independently, with resources and support, to complete assignments, as well as ability to work as part of a team.
• Working knowledge of public health principles and practices.
• Professional nursing skills, including assessment and safe immunization practices.
• Ability to effectively prioritize assignments.
• Time management skills.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to colleagues, public groups, and/or stakeholders.
• Bilingual, English/Spanish preferred.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in Nursing or Associate's Degree with one to two years related experience and/or training.
• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Colorado.
• Valid Colorado Driver's License required.
• Current BLS Certification preferred.
• NIMS certification required; can be obtained at job.

Physical Requirements, Work Conditions and Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Minimal physical effort generally required in the performance of duties under typically office conditions. Position requires the ability to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment at efficient speed. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The position is required to walk, stand, sit for long periods of time, talk and hear. Hearing and vision correctable to normal ranges; close-up vision and the ability to adjust focus across an audience. Occasionally, the position may stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, carry, twist and push and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight. The employee is required to communicate both orally and in writing. Employee must be able to reach and manipulate objects, tools or controls, drive, and lift up to 30 pounds. The noise level may be very quiet to noisy depending on the situation.