Public Health Nurse

Incumbent serves as Public Health Nurse for the Morgan County Health Department, responsible for providing nursing services for the County’s various public health programs preventing disease, and promoting wellness under the supervision of the Health Department Director and Health Officer.

DUTIES:

Manages the care of clients using established protocols, ensuring compliance with all applicable County Health Department policies and procedures, Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) standards, HIPAA regulations, and all other federal and state laws relating to privacy, confidentiality, and service delivery.

Performs various clinical services duties including but not limited to administering immunizations in accordance with CDC and IDOH guidelines, conducting cardiovascular disease screenings including blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose testing, assisting with sexually transmitted infection testing, education and follow up, and participating in communicable disease investigations, assisting with lead screening, and Preparing, storing and documenting vaccines, maintaining vaccine inventory and cold chain management,

Administers, reads, Tuberculin Skin Tests (TST) and participates in tuberculosis (TB) and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) case management and follow up.

Maintains accurate medical records and program documentation in compliance with HIPAA and state regulations including utilizing Children and Hoosier Immunization Registry Program (CHIRP) for vaccine documentation and reporting.

Participates in public health emergency preparedness and response activities, assisting with response efforts during public health emergencies are activated by department.

Supports implementation of evidence based public health practices and clinical guidelines, provides nursing support for Public Health Programs including assisting with development, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs, and supporting evidence-based interventions to improve population health outcomes.

Participates in departmental quality improvement activities to improve service delivery and community health outcomes, including assisting with data collection, program evaluation, and performance management utilizing public health data and community health assessments to inform nursing practice and program planning.

Collaborates with community organizations, healthcare providers, and social service organizations to address social determinants of health including access to healthcare, nutrition, and preventive services, providing culturally responsive health education and services, and promoting equitable access to public health services for all. Provides community education related to disease prevention and healthy lifestyles, and participates in outreach activities including health fairs, community events, and coalition initiatives.

Attends Indiana Department of Health meetings, trainings, and continuing education as assigned. Participates in departmental meetings, training, planning sessions and Board of Health meetings as required, and maintains professional competencies and required certifications.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Associate Degree in Nursing, and Registered Nurse Certification in the State of Indiana. Two years nursing experience and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Must obtain and maintain CPR for Healthcare Providers and Tuberculosis Certifications, , and be current on immunizations, including flu vaccine.

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Ability to meet all County hiring requirements, including passage of a drug test.

Extensive knowledge and demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of standard policies and practices of the Morgan County Health Department.

Knowledge of public health laws and accepted principles and practices of public health nursing, with ability to effectively examine and screen individuals, assess needs, and provide information, treatment, assistance, and referrals.

Knowledge of health and social services available to County residents and ability to implement public health programs and facilitate referrals as appropriate.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare correspondence, patient charts, and detailed written reports as required.

Knowledge of standard filing systems and ability to create and maintain Department and patient files.

Ability to operate standard office equipment, such as computer, calculator, scanner, printer, vehicle, vacuum, TV/VCR/DVD player, and telephone.

Ability to comprehend and correctly use a variety of information documents, including, but not limited to, patient records, laboratory records, and x-ray reports.

Ability to comprehend a variety of reference books and manuals, including, but not limited to, Policy and Procedures, IDOH Immunization Manual and Communicable Disease Reporting Manual, Physician’s Desk Reference, Denver Screening Manual, Medical Dictionary, and Red Book.

Ability to prepare a variety of reports, including, but not limited to, immunization reports, patient records/charts, and epidemiology reports.

Ability to operate standard medical instruments and equipment, such as Cholestech, otoscope, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, hemoglobin meter, ophthalmoscope, blood pressure cuff, refrigerator and freezer temperature monitors, lancets, and Vax Care Hub.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, patients, clients, physicians, hospitals, Health Officer, Board of Health, IDOH, hospitals, schools, Head Start, jail, homeless shelter, senior citizens center, the media, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements.

Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with difficult/distraught persons.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out oral and written instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate decimals and percentages.

Ability to compile, analyze and evaluate data, make determinations, and take action based on data analysis.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, often amidst frequent distractions, interruptions, and time constraints, and on several tasks at the same time.

Ability to apply knowledge of people and locations, and plan/coordinate work assignments.

Ability to write/edit reports and news releases.

Ability to use/interpret medical terminology/language and read/interpret lab reports, x-rays and detailed reference books, medical texts and nursing manuals.

Ability to maintain positive community support and present public speaking presentations and special events.

Ability to occasionally serve on-call and respond to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

Ability to occasionally work extended hours, evenings and/or weekends and occasionally travel out of town for meetings/conferences, sometimes overnight.

Possession of a valid Indiana driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent's work is broad in range and often requires careful consideration of complex circumstances and variables. Incumbent performs duties according to established policies and procedures, exercising judgment to effectively develop and maintain health programs, examine and evaluate individuals, and provide information, counseling, treatment, assistance and/or referrals.

III. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent assures proper implementation of public health programs. Incumbent receives administrative direction from Health Department Director and is able to develop objectives for areas of responsibility. Work is periodically reviewed for compliance with IDOH requirements and standards.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, patients, clients, physicians, hospitals, Health Officer, Board of Health, IDOH, hospitals, schools, Head

Start, jail, homeless shelter, senior citizens center, the media, and the public for purposes of exchanging information and providing education, information, and efficient health care services.

Incumbent reports directly to Health Department Director.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs majority of duties in a standard office setting and, in a clinic,, involving sitting/walking at will, standing for long periods, keyboarding, lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, crouching/kneeling, bending, reaching, close/far vision, depth perception, handling/grasping/fingering objects, hearing sounds/communication, speaking clearly, and driving. Incumbent maintains considerable contact with the public and may be exposed to difficult persons or crying/screaming/struggling children. Incumbent is regularly exposed to normal health hazards associated with public health nursing for which universal health precautions must be followed to ensure safety of self and others.

Incumbent occasionally works extended hours, evenings and/or weekends and occasionally travels out of town for meetings/conferences, but not overnight. Incumbent occasionally responds to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.