Public Health Nurse III

Advanced Specialized Professional Nursing Position

This position has been reposted. Previous applicants are still being considered and do not need to reapply. Hiring rate will be determined based on qualifications and internal equity. We are accepting Work Against applicants for this position.

This is an advanced specialized professional nursing position that manages the daily operations of Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program services. It involves implementing the annual Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program Addenda and budget and coordinating services for patients. This nurse practices independently and demonstrates autonomous decision-making skills. The primary purpose is to ensure women who obtain care at the health department receive timely screenings for early detection and treatment of breast and cervical cancer. The position serves to manage, consult, develop, execute, and evaluate plans that impact the health care of each woman who receive services.

Examples of Duties

Duties for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate the work assignments, plans Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program clinics and oversee the overall quality of services.
• Develop and provide ongoing training as needed for agency staff and staff who provide Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program services.
• Track and follow up on all abnormal findings on abnormal pap smears and mammograms in Family Planning and Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program.
• Organizes annual Breast Cancer and Heart Disease Awareness activities.
• Conducts triage of patients who call or present to clinic.
• Conducts patient interviews and determines their health status, birth control concerns, and needs.
• Cross-train in Family Planning/Teen Wellness to provide coverage during staffing shortages and/or serve as backup to the Family Planning Clinic Coordinator.

This position requires the nurse to provide contraceptive methods, subject to appropriate training, when working Family Planning. Employee is subject to be called upon anytime to help the agency respond to a public health emergency which may include, but is not limited to, outbreak investigations, staffing mass dispensing or immunization clinics, providing disaster relief, or other incidents (man-made or natural and intentional or non-intentional) as they arise, or any public health response requested by the Health Director.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a B.S. in Nursing which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation and two years of Public Health nursing experience; or a Master's in Public Health and graduation from a school of professional nursing and two years of professional nursing experience; or graduation from a school of professional nursing and three years of professional nursing experience including two years of Public Health nursing experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Necessary Special Qualifications - A current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the N.C. Board of Nursing.

All Public Health Nurses employed by a local health department shall complete an introductory course in principles and practices of public health/public health nursing and any refresher courses sponsored by the NC Department of Health and Human Services. 10A NCAC 46 .0301 (2),(b), (c).

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited universities. Applicants who have obtained their education outside of the U.S. and its territories must have their academic degrees validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough 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 available resources and organizations and the ability to coordinate these as needed.
• General knowledge of current social and economic problems relating to public health, including health disparities.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee the work of others.
• Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and make 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.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and practices of public health.
• Adequate computer skills to allow communication, patient record documentation, and accessing of information.

Must have or obtain and maintain a valid North Carolina driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Background check and negative drug test are required.

Benefits

Cumberland County offers a generous benefit plan including a Government Retirement Plan, 13 paid holidays per year and an Employee Wellness Center Clinic.