Temporary Public Health Nurse

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

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This position is essential to the operation of Region 3 Office of Public Health because it provides critical nursing expertise and leadership in emergency preparedness, response, and communicable disease control activities. The Registered Nurse 4 serves as the Public Health Emergency Response Nurse (PHERN), acting as a vital liaison between public health, healthcare facilities, emergency management agencies, and community partners to ensure coordinated planning and response efforts.

The position is responsible for maintaining and implementing federally required emergency preparedness plans, coordinating training and exercises, supporting Strategic National Stockpile and CHEMPACK readiness, leading the Regional Rapid Response Team, and providing CPR and emergency medical training throughout the region. Responsibilities also include supporting communicable disease response efforts, maintaining emergency equipment and volunteer databases, providing emergency preparedness training, and ensuring compliance with state and federal preparedness requirements. In addition, the position supports public health emergency responses, disease outbreak investigations, medical needs planning, volunteer management, and regional healthcare coordination.

Possession of a current Louisiana Registered Nurse license or a temporary permit or multi-state license issued by a Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC/eNLC) state to practice as a registered nurse plus one of the following:

Two years of experience as a licensed registered nurse; A bachelor's degree in nursing plus one year of experience as a licensed registered nurse; A master's degree in nursing or public health plus one year of experience as a licensed registered nurse; A doctorate in nursing or public health.

Develop, maintain, and update regional emergency preparedness plans, including Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), CHEMPACK, pandemic response, medical sheltering, emergency operations, continuity of operations (COOP), and other public health emergency plans.

Coordinate emergency preparedness activities with hospitals, emergency management agencies, healthcare providers, first responders, local governments, schools, and other community partners.

Assist with planning, conducting, and evaluating emergency preparedness drills, tabletop exercises, functional exercises, and full-scale emergency response exercises.

Serve as the Regional Rapid Response Team Lead by coordinating communicable disease response activities, supporting investigations, and working closely with the Regional Epidemiologist.

Coordinate planning and readiness for emergency medication distribution (Points of Dispensing/PODs), including site assessments, agreements, and community planning.

Deliver emergency preparedness education and training for healthcare providers, first responders, public health staff, and community partners. Assist with emergency response operations during disasters, disease outbreaks, and other public health emergencies.

Serve as the Region 3 instructor for CPR, AED, Stop the Bleed, Bloodborne Pathogens, and other emergency preparedness training programs.

Maintain emergency preparedness equipment, supplies, and medical shelter resources, including coordinating routine inspections, testing, and documentation.

Maintain emergency preparedness databases, volunteer credentialing systems, emergency contact information, and required monthly reports.

Participate in regional, state, and local emergency preparedness meetings, planning committees, trainings, and professional development activities. Serve as a medical and public health resource for Region 3 health units and healthcare partners.

Location: Office of Public Health / OPH-Region 3-BRCO / Lafourche Parish

LA Department of Health (LDH)

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LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.

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