Public Health Nurse

Description

Working independently and with minimal supervision, provides public health nursing services to individuals, families, and population groups in assigned program(s.) Conducts professional planning and evaluation and implements actions directed toward goals of prevention, assessment, risk reduction, and health status improvement for individuals, families and communities. Collaborates and consults with multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams to achieve desirable outcomes for families and communities. Nursing interventions occur at individual, family, community and system levels depending upon position responsibilities and issues involved.

Essential Duties

• Promotes health of individuals, families and community through advocacy, education and/or counseling.
• Utilizes skilled nursing to provide essential and community-based public health services in assigned program area(s.)
• Organizes and provides assigned program-specific nursing services to individuals and/or families, directly or through referrals to appropriate services.
• Documents services utilizing program forms and/or electronic health records, in accurate and timely manner.
• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates services and outcomes of care on an ongoing basis.
• Conducts research, case investigations, or case management utilizing advanced nursing principles and evidence-based decision making.
• Collaborates with health care providers and community partners, as well as other health department staff to improve individual and population health.
• Participates in mentoring new staff and allied health professional students.
• Exercises significant independence and initiative in performance of responsibilities; receives general administrative direction.
• Maintains professional knowledge, and keeps current on assigned program rules, regulations, protocols, and practices to ensure continual compliance and quality improvement, including specific program MPR's and 340B program requirements.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary in response to emergencies, workloads or staffing shortages. Works flexible hours as needed.
• Participates in Emergency Preparedness Incident Command System (ICS) as assigned.
• Supports other program and office functions as necessary to ensure effective customer and community service.
• Maintains up-to-date vaccines including flu (influenza,) in accordance with CDC guidelines: Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers.

Requirements

• Graduation from accredited professional nursing program. Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.
• Advanced nursing skill and knowledge of public health policies, procedures and practices at a level normally acquired through two years of related, professional experience.
• Current license to practice as registered nurse from Michigan Board of Nursing.
• Ability to enter, retrieve and manage client data, notes and care plans in electronic health records, and other online or network databases or logs.
• Ability to plan and organize own work and accomplish multiple tasks in accordance with established practice and professional standards.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse communities and families.
• Communication and writing skills necessary to interview and instruct clients, conduct professional presentations, write care plans and reports, and collaborate with community partners.
• Manual dexterity and feeling by touch necessary to pick, pinch, and palpate; and grasp and use small instruments.
• Reliable transportation with valid Michigan driver's license and certificate of insurance to travel to other locations for work, training, meetings, and/or home or site visits.