Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurse

Provide general public health nursing services, including screening, immunizations, both environmental health and maternal child health home visits, communicable disease follow up, and health education and promotion activities for Richland County Health and Human Services Public Health Unit.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides nursing care in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, administrative rules, established agency procedures and accepted professional standards following universal precautions and all other OSHA required programs and procedures.
• Schedules and conducts immunization clinics and is responsible for vaccine management and inventory activities. Functions as the Vaccine for Children Program Coordinator or Backup Coordinator for Richland County Public Health.
• Provides nursing services under the Maternal-Child Health program, including pregnancy and postpartum assistance, home visits to parents and newborns, nutrition information, fetal and infant growth and development information, physical assessment as required, safety information and make referrals as needed.
• Provides follow up services for communicable disease investigations and routine surveillance utilizing the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance program for documentation, including rabies and animal bite investigations and response.
• Assists in developing unit policies, procedures, and program evaluations.
• Provides information and nursing services for environmental health, water, and blood lead testing programs.
• Make visits for reported violations of public health regulations and make recommendations as required.
• Provides information and preventative health programs for community, including communicable diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, environmental health, etc.
• Provides consultation to school nurses, serving as a health resource person.
• Responds to phone calls and inquiries including loan closet equipment dispensing and inventory management.
• Maintain confidential records and prepare reports as required.
• Participates in preparedness exercises and trainings.
• Represents Richland County Health and Human Services to the community at large through professional interaction, clinical consultation, public speaking, media presentations, and participation in community advisory groups. Prepares public education materials for distribution and participates in public meetings.
• Maintains confidentiality of client information and protected health information as required by State and Federal regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Act.
• Maintains current knowledge of program requirements and best practices and participates in continuing education opportunities.
• Participates in committees, trainings, and meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nursing, Public Health, or related field; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• The qualifications of a public health nurse are under state statute ch.250.
• Current RN License required.
• Valid Driver's License required.

Benefits

Dental, Health, Vision, Short-term Disability, and Life Insurance, Paid vacation and sick time off, Flexible Spending Account, Wisconsin Retirement System