Cowlitz County Public Health Nurse II for Nurse Family Partnership (1.0 FTE)

Job Summary

Clark County Public Health administers Nurse-Family Partnership programming and services in Clark and Cowlitz Counties. The service region for this 1.0 FTE posting is for Cowlitz county. The Nurse-Family Partnership nurse home visitor (NHV) is responsible for providing comprehensive nursing services to pregnant individuals and their families who are categorically eligible for the Nurse-Family Partnership Program. The NHV is responsible for maintaining the highest standards in clinical and public health nursing practice and adherence to the Nurse-Family Partnership model, policies, procedures, and standards of Nurse-Family Partnership and of Clark County Public Health. This position receives specific direction and assignments from, and reports to, the Nurse-Family Partnership Nurse Supervisor assigned to Cowlitz county. The Public Health Nurse II classification emphasizes health promotion and prevention. Job tasks and activities may be focused on the individual-, community-, or the systems-level, depending on how the issue may best be addressed to improve health outcomes. Organizational responsibilities include understanding and promoting Clark County Public Health's mission; providing courteous, respectful, efficient customer service to all department clients; honoring diversity of all department employees and constituents; participating in department training; and striving for personal excellence in public health work. This position is an onsite position.

Job Functions

Nurse-Family Partnership Model Basics:

• Provides home visits to pregnant individuals and their families eligible for the Nurse-Family Partnership Program.
• Adheres to nursing process and the Nurse-Family Partnership model of home visitation.
• Carries a case load of 21-25 clients per 1.0 FTE.

Administrative:

• Adheres to Clark County Public Health and Nurse-Family Partnership standards, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in community coalitions in support of families as requested.
• Promotes public awareness of Nurse-Family Partnership and public health practice.
• Develops and maintains community relationships to support client referrals.
• Participates in weekly, one-hour reflective supervision with NFP supervisor.
• Attends and participates in weekly team meetings, held both virtually and in-person.

Clinical:

• Completes all required Nurse-Family Partnership education.
• Attends and participates in dyadic assessment and parenting curriculum training.
• Develops therapeutic relationships, utilizes concepts of reflection and motivational interviewing with pregnant individuals and their families in a home visiting environment.
• Performs home visiting in accordance with the Nurse-Family Partnership model.
• Follows nursing process in implementing NFP model elements as part of nursing practice.
• Using specific program guidelines and tools, develop a working relationship with clients and their families, assess individual and family needs and promote goal setting and problem solving in six domains:
• Personal Health addresses clients' health maintenance practices, nutrition and exercise, substance use involving cigarettes, alcohol or illicit drugs, and mental health functioning.
• Environmental Health addresses adequacy of home, work, school, and neighborhood settings for pregnant individuals, birth and support parents, and infant health.
• Life Course Development focuses on clients' goals related to childbirth planning, completion of their education, and finding employment.
• Parenting Role assesses clients' acceptance of the birthing role and their acquisition of the knowledge and skills needed to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers.
• Family and Friends focuses on helping clients deal with relationship issues and enhance support for their own goals and management of childcare.
• Health and Human Services addresses linking families with community services for which current family resources are not adequate.
• Provides education, support, and referral resources in assisting birthing and parenting individuals and their families in attaining their targeted goals.
• Consults and collaborates with other professionals involved in providing services to birthing persons and families.
• Evaluates client progress toward stated goals and Nurse-Family Partnership outcomes.
• Plans home visits in accordance with client goals and Nurse-Family Partnership outcomes.
• Actively engages in professional development to meet all Nurse-Family Partnership nurse home visitor competency requirements including nurse licensure education requirements for Washington.
• Utilizes reflective practice.
• Schedules joint home visits with Nurse-Family Partnership nurse supervisor every four months.
• Participates in the review and analysis of NHV and team reports in alignment with NFP model elements and community need.
• Participates in quality improvement efforts.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Documents appropriately.
• Ensures clients receive services in their preferred language, assuring accurate and complete communication between client and Public Health staff through use of interpreters and translated program materials as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned or required.

Team Functions:

• Understands, supports, and coaches others in the Nurse-Family Partnership vision, mission, and model.
• Represents the Nurse-Family Partnership vision, mission, and model in actions as well as verbally to both internal and external customers and colleagues.
• Assists in creating a positive work environment that promotes productivity, mentoring, teamwork, and cooperation.
• Elicits and considers differing viewpoints when analyzing issues.
• Recognizes accomplishments of team members.

Communication:

• Maintains clear, effective, open, and honest communication with both internal and external customers and colleagues.
• Creates, maintains, and supports a safe environment for open discussion.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Seeks and responds appropriately to feedback.

Professional Development:

• Accurately assesses own learning needs and develops strategies to meet them.
• Motivated to utilize computer technology for distance learning.
• Stays informed of current health care and nurse practice developments to provide safe, quality home visiting services.
• Establishes and records progress toward annual goals.
• Participates in training related to Electronic Medical Record systems and use of field-based technology, laptop computers and "smart" phones.
• Must successfully complete basic emergency management/incident management courses and participate in public health emergency response trainings as requested.
• Must be able to respond to public health emergencies or exercises, except while on scheduled vacation or other leave.
• In addition, leaves may be cancelled under public health emergencies.
• May be called upon to be on site at a public health event, outbreak, emergency, or intervention.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Current Washington state Registered Nurse (RN)* license in good standing, CPR certification, and a valid Washington or Oregon driver's license and insured automobile required.
• BSN**, home visiting experience and two years recent experience in maternal-child health, public health, or mental/behavioral nursing preferred.

*Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) prepared RN applicants will be hired using the Public Health Nurse I (PHN I classification)

**Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared RN applicants will be hired using the Public Health Nurse II (PHN II classification)

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Carry 30 pounds of paper, equipment, materials, etc.

Drive a car, fly as a passenger in a plane, or other misc. travel as required.

Bend, lift, walk, and use equipment in the performance of duties.

May be exposed to clients or members of the public, including individuals or small groups with potential for violent or aggressive behavior.

Knowledge of:

• Core functions, competencies, and essential services of public health
• Life-course theory as it relates to the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and application of trauma-informed care principles.
• Washington State Nurse Practice Act.
• Interviewing and counseling techniques including motivational interviewing.
• Local services and referral processes.
• The impact of systemic and institutional racism and discrimination (including discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, mental or physical ability, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity,