Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) - STI Program

STI Advanced Practice Nurse

The STI Advanced Practice Nurse provides direct clinical care of clients related specifically to the specialty care and treatment of STIs, HIV, viral hepatitis, breast and cervical care, and gender health services which includes collecting and ordering of laboratory tests, counseling of patients, developing treatment plans and prescribing medication within the scope of their education and certification of the collaborative agreement with their collaborating physician, when required as assigned at one or more clinical facilities in the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center. This position reports to the Prevention Medical Director and works with the STI Program Coordinator to achieve clinical and practice goals set by the LCHD/CHC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Scheduled Hours: 40 hours per week

Essential Functions

• Reviews client charts for medical evaluation and compliance with the CDC and IDPH control and surveillance guidelines.
• Obtains and screens medical histories, performs physical examinations.
• Collects specimens while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Requests, interprets and performs laboratory tests.
• Assesses, identifies and evaluates health problems.
• Prescribes medications promptly, and correctly as per clinical practice guidelines from the LCHD/CHC and appropriate agencies (e.g. CDC, IDPH, etc.).
• Provides preventive health screening education to clients, as per clinical practice guidelines from appropriate agencies (e.g. CDC, IDPH, etc.).
• Refers clients for follow-up and referrals, when appropriate.
• Refers clients to appropriate community and health resources.
• Consults and meets with collaborating physician, as appropriate.
• Partners with the STI program coordinator to ensure that grant guidelines are followed, and grant deliverables are met.
• Participates in collaborative relationships with the STI Program Coordinator and Community Health Specialists for patient navigation services.
• Conducts individual and/or group educational sessions.
• Completes accurate documentation for each client contact within set timelines.
• Formulates mutually agreed upon measurable treatment plans or self-management goals with each client.
• Assists in preparation of informational materials for dissemination to clients; professionals; and other agencies.
• Participates in orientation of new staff and students.
• Collaborates with external specialists to ensure comprehensive care of client.
• Supervision of interns as assigned.
• Collaborative agreement with appropriate physician when required.
• Develops and maintains a basic knowledge of services available at the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center (LCHD/CHC).
• Develops and maintains a basic awareness of the Chronic Care Model Processes to reduce health disparities within our communities.
• Assists patients in developing self management goals as per established guidelines of Chronic Care Model.
• Develops and maintains a working knowledge of individual Emergency Preparedness roles.
• Demonstrates adherence to National Patient Safety Goals.
• Participates in quality improvement activities to assess, monitor and improve program services.
• Participates in mandatory in-services and drills, attends staff meetings and other trainings, including appropriate educational trainings offered on a regular basis for professional development, including, but not limited to gender health services, HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis.
• Reports all unusual occurrences that may involve the safety and well being of the clients, patients and/or co-workers, directly to the supervisor and/or Safety Officer.
• Performs duties to meet or exceed productivity, quality and customer service standards.
• Maintains orderliness and cleanliness of clinic and work area.
• Participates in clinical conferences and provides medical expertise, as appropriate.
• Provides STI, HIV, viral hepatitis and gender health services consultation to the LCHD/CHC FQHC and community providers regarding testing, treatment, and prevention.
• Utilizes the electronic health record and any other programmatic software necessary for the efficient and effective functioning of the program.
• Understands and is sensitive to the dynamics of relapse, drug addiction, toxicity, intoxication, withdrawal symptoms, mental illness, trauma, danger to self or other. Understands client readiness for treatment and stages of change.
• Provides trauma-informed care and utilizes correct gender/sexual orientation language.
• Takes clinical leadership in the clinic team, in coordination with grant requirements, consisting of medical assistants, health educators, and case managers
• Delegates follow up/tasks for clients to appropriate staff promptly via a clear, concise method of communication (i.e., electronic health record message, MS teams, etc.,)
• Works in a collaborative fashion with the STI nurse to provide preventative and curative treatments.
• Performs breast and genital exams, documents, and orders appropriate screening tests.
• Compliant with Joint Commission and HRSA FQHC requirements for evaluation, treatment, management, and clinical documentation of patient care.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Education Required

• Master's Degree in Nursing or postmaster certification as an APN.
• Appropriate certification by National certifying body as required by state law.
  • ANCC
  • NCCC
  • NAPNAP
  • AMCB
  • ACC
• Apply and obtain full practice authority license within six (6) months of eligibility for full practice license.
• Current Illinois licensure as a Registered Nurse or Advanced Practice License
• Controlled Substance Licensure.
• Requires certification from ANA.
• Ability to work on weekends, holidays and overtime if necessary.
• Ability to maintain and keep records.

Supplemental Information

As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community.

At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary grades at . For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: .

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics

Benefits

Here at the Health Department, we are proud to employ a diverse workforce of dedicated individuals focused on promoting the health and well-being of all who live, work, and play in Lake County. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought and collaboration, enabling each employee to perform at their maximum potential and to more effectively work with clients, patients, and employees. We offer:

• Comprehensive Benefits package (medical, dental, vision, etc.) for full-time employees
• Paid Time Off to support work-life balance
• IMRF Pension and 457 retirement plans
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement

You can find more details on our benefits on our website at