Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurse

The Public Health nurse performs direct nursing services for patients in the clinic with duties to include immunizations, family planning, STI, child health assessments and adult health. Additional assignments may apply, including communicable disease and TB control.

Essential functions include:

• Perform a variety of nursing duties providing confidential, medically sound, timely and respectful care and assistance to all patients
• Provide health education/counseling either one on one and in a group on communicable diseases, foreign travel, immunizations, reproductive health, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis testing and control, community resources, etc.
• Document assessments, referrals and follow-ups within 48 hours.
• Participate in emergency response efforts and provide support for Preparedness Coordinator.
• Evaluate immunization status and administer child and adult vaccinations per protocol and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
• Conduct child physical assessments, hemoglobin, lead screening, hearing, vision, fluoride varnish and developmental screening as trained and assigned
• Administer travel immunizations per protocol and CDC Guidelines.
• Obtain laboratory specimens for screening and diagnostic purposes.
• Distribute and administer approved contraceptive methods within standing orders and in consultation with APRN.
• Counsel clients on STI and HIV transmission and testing procedures. Treats STI clients per Riley County Standing Orders and CDC guidance.
• Keep current and accurate lab records reviewing daily lab work, signing daily lab sheets and maintaining lab logs ensuring lab controls are completed as per protocol as assigned.
• Collect program data for use in health promotion and prevention planning for the community.
• Coordinate Vaccine for Children's Program and maintain current knowledge of vaccine schedules, recommendations, inventory and orders assuring compliance with state guidelines.
• Conduct communicable disease investigation and follow-up to individuals, physicians, and family members regarding the spread and control of diseases using state reporting requirements.
• Enter communicable disease information in the Kansas Disease Reporting system within the timeframes set by the state.
• Maintain and update communicable disease protocols in accordance with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Disease Investigation Guidelines.
• Develop local protocols to enhance disease investigation and control spread of disease with the Preparedness Coordinator.
• Identify clients needing Tuberculosis medication, arrange for medications, monitor and manage medications in collaboration with the state and local medical consultant.
• Required to be on-call 24/7 for response to disease notification

Secondary functions include:

• Assists with ordering and managing inventories as requested by supervisor
• Coordinates and implements community/off-site flu clinics as requested by supervisor
• Assists with quarterly and annual reports
• Reviews materials for program use at least annually
• Will keep current CPR certification
• Participates with off-site clinic as needed
• Participates in staff meetings and nursing meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Education: Graduate of accredited education program with an associate, diploma or Licensed Bachelor's in nursing.

License(s)/Certification(s): Currently a registered nurse in the State of Kansas. Valid driver's license and good driving record.

Position requirements:

Education: Graduate of accredited education program with Registered Nurse licensure.

License(s)/Certification(s): Registered nurse in the State of Kansas. Valid driver's license required.

Experience: 1 year experience in public health or community health nursing is preferred.

Skills: Demonstrates excellent written communication skills. Must have ability to understand complex oral and written instruction, ability to speak and write effectively, and ability to give clear, concise instruction orally and in writing, including written reports to local, state and federal offices. Establish and maintain an image of the Health Department that represents service, vitality, and professionalism.

Appropriate combination of education and experience will be considered in lieu of requirements.

Conforms to HIPAA privacy regulations specific to position. The public health nurse creates and records PHI. Has authority use the following categories of PHI for treatment purposes: demographics, scheduling, treatment or procedures, reports and medical notes. Disclosures are only allowed as necessary for treatment to providers and/or Business Associates or as required by law. Does not have authority to access PHI for payment or health care (non-treatment) operations. May need to interact with the following departments for allowable access to PHI: WIC, Maternal and Child Health, and other providers as needed.

Physical demands: The physical demands represent those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear from both ears; smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work environment: The work environment characteristics represent those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually normal.

Use of personal vehicle may be required.

Must be fluent in English. Bilingual English/Spanish helpful.

Public Health facilities require a non-smoker.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a logical assignment of the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.