COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE - HEALTH

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE - 7090

GRADE - 116

PAY RANGE - $32.25 - $45.98/hr- plus a comprehensive benefits package

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Performs professional nursing duties and public health education; performs directly related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The principal function of an employee in this class is to promote good health practices and maintain the health of individuals, families and the general public through instruction, counseling and appropriate disease investigation and prevention measures. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of an assigned supervisor but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional and medical providers, municipal officials, clients and the general public. The principal duties of this class are performed in both a general office and community/home setting with potential exposure to infectious agents and illicit drugs.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL WORK:

• Plans, directs and evaluates community health programs across numerous program areas, including but not limited to, communicable disease investigation, clinical services for STDs and HIV/HCV, immunization services, and home visiting for chronic conditions and environmental exposures;
• Ensures all programming and services are consistent with Federal and State guidelines, regulations and statutes governing nursing practice, as well as local policies and ordinances;
• Compiles, analyzes and interprets narrative, statistical and program reports and records;
• Prepares grant applications;
• Provides training, technical consultation for clinical decision making and/or performs duties related to specialized credentialing;
• Manages patient caseloads and communicable disease investigations include individuals with severe medical, behavioral and/or psychological health concerns requiring trauma informed practices to meet their complex health needs;
• Completes community and/or public health investigations, including documentation and reporting;
• Performs complex medical procedures consistent with individualized health care plans as dictated by medical orders;
• Assures that standing medical orders and public health counter measures are deployed as directed by the Medical Director and State;
• Performs public health and department public relations and public health promotional activities;
• Provides specialized nursing consultative services, public health education, and recommendations to physicians and other health care providers;
• Performs immunizations, testing, health screening and assessments;
• Provides expanded off-site clinical services to reach vulnerable populations, such as immunization clinics in homeless shelters and via mobile outreach;
• Coordinates services and information with other agencies in order to provide clinical case management for clients, including referrals to primary care practices and other specialty services and community-based services as needed;
• Develops and maintains medical records and other related confidential documentation of case management for clients receiving direct nursing care services, including utilizing multiple confidential databases to record communicable disease cases;
• Collects and maintains data relating to public health issues;
• Responds to medical emergencies as necessary;
• Provides guidance and demonstrations to new employees in similar positions;
• Keeps supervisors informed of work progress, issues, and potential solutions;
• Attends meetings and training to stay current on relevant practices and developments;
• Responds to citizen inquiries courteously and promptly;
• Coordinates regularly with others to enhance interdepartmental efficiency; and
• Performs additional duties as required by the classification.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of the practices, principles and techniques of public and community health nursing;
• Thorough knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and municipal laws, regulations, and policies relating to community and public health nursing;
• Substantial knowledge of training the adult learner;
• Thorough knowledge of public health nursing safety practices;
• Substantial knowledge of counseling practices and techniques;
• Thorough knowledge and the ability to develop, organize and administer community nursing health programs;
• Substantial knowledge of information systems and hardware related to electronic documentation and maintenance of medical records;
• Skill in the use and operation of medical apparatus, equipment and screening instruments;
• Skill in the development, organization, and performance of required screening tests, and client support service programs;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing; and
• Zero to two years of experience in community health or general nursing; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

REQUIRED SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Registered Nurse (RN) - New Hampshire;
• Valid Driver's License;
• Certified in Public Health (CPH) through the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE);
• CPR & First Aid Instructor Certification.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform assigned medical assessments;
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to use all related medical equipment;
• Sufficient strength and endurance, with or without reasonable accommodation to lift, carry and move objects, through a full range of motion, up to 50 pounds occasionally, 30 pounds frequently and 20 pounds consistently;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to have access to all areas of the City.