Public Health Nurse I/II - Nurse Residency

Public Health Nurse Residency Program

With equity and compassion, we protect, serve, and educate, empowering everyone in Gaston County to achieve their best health.

The hourly pay rates for the Public Health Nurse Residency Program are as follows:

• Public Health Nurse I: $27.45
• Public Health Nurse II: $30.43

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

Public Health Nurse I:

• Clinic Duties: Provides professional nursing care to individuals and families in public health programs under general supervision. Delivers care through assessment, counseling, education, and treatment to promote health and prevent disease. Performs duties in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, provider orders, and evidence-based practices. Works in clinic and community settings with limited supervision, applying nursing knowledge and critical thinking to ensure safe, effective care. Provides clinical support, as needed or assigned, for programs and services relevant to the position, which may include Family Planning, STI, Immunizations, Communicable Disease, and Tuberculosis Control. Provides appropriate follow-up based on assessment findings. Adapts Public Health Nursing care to individuals, families and groups based on cultural needs and differences. Conducts comprehensive assessments and screenings based on program guidelines and client needs. Other duties as assigned.
• Disaster Response: Responsible for preparedness activities in the event of a natural disaster, disease outbreaks and other threats to the health of the public. This position will be required to participate in preparedness response activities which may include mass vaccination clinics or sheltering.
• Education: Participates in yearly competency activities for PHS Division staff. Participates in in-services, trainings and meetings. Completes required competencies per NC Board of Nursing to ensure compliance with nursing license.
• Health Equity: Implement strategies aimed at achieving Health Equity, including but not limited to: attending trainings to better understand inequities, identifying and addressing barriers to health, serving on the Health Equity Team or its subcommittees, engaging in internal or external efforts to eliminate health disparities.
• Performance Management: Carryout Performance Management (PM) roles and responsibilities, including identifying and communicating performance improvement opportunities and adjusting performance and practice to achieve established PM goals.

Public Health Nurse II:

• Clinic Duties : Provides advanced professional nursing care to individuals and families in public health programs such as Family Planning, STI, Immunizations, Communicable Disease, and Tuberculosis Control with increased independence and responsibility. Delivers care through comprehensive assessment, counseling, and treatment to promote health and prevent disease. Participates in program activities such as data collection, review, and quality improvement. Performs duties in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, provider orders, and evidence-based practices. Applies advanced clinical judgment and critical thinking in more complex situations.
• Leadership : Assumes expanded clinical duties, including functioning as charge nurse when assigned, supporting clinic operations, and ensuring quality and continuity of care. Participates in program activities such as data collection, review, and quality improvement.
• Assigned Follow-up : Performs triage, completes patient follow-up, performs routine clinic audits and checks, and provides clinical support across programs as needed.
• Disaster Response: Responsible for preparedness activities in the event of a natural disaster, disease outbreaks and other threats to the health of the public. This position will be required to participate in preparedness response activities which may include mass vaccination clinics, or sheltering.
• Education: Participates in yearly competence activities for PHS Division staff. Participates in in-services, trainings and meetings. Serves as a preceptor to new staff. Completes required competencies per NC Board of Nursing to ensure compliance with nursing license.
• Health Equity: Implement strategies aimed at achieving Health Equity, including but not limited to: attending trainings to better understand inequities, identifying and addressing barriers to health, serving on the Health Equity Team or its subcommittees, engaging in internal or external efforts to eliminate health disparities.
• Performance Management: Carryout Performance Management (PM) roles and responsibilities, including identifying and communicating performance improvement opportunities and adjusting performance and practice to achieve established PM goals.

Upon successful completion of the 1-year Nurse Residency Program, the NC Public Health Nurse Credentialing Course, and fulfillment of the minimum experience requirements, employees will advance to the Public Health Nurse II classification and assume additional responsibilities.

The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment. In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2 (b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.

At Gaston County, we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees, job applicants, and members of the community we serve. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws. Gaston County will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Full-Time employees are eligible for the total compensation package which includes:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Savings Plans
  • Pension
  • 401K (with 5% county contribution annually)
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Discounted YMCA Membership

Part-Time employees are eligible for certain benefits as a part of employment with Gaston County such as:

• Pro-Rated Sick and Annual Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Local Government Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Half-Time employees are not eligible for benefits. To learn more details about the many benefits we provide view our Employee Benefits Guide. Overall, if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career with competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, Gaston County is the place for you.