Congenital Syphilis Nurse Consultant

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

58d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nurse II performs complex nursing work that includes the delivery of congenital syphilis and HIV/STD direct patient services and case management services working under the general supervision of the Director of Public Health nursing and located within the DSHS central Austin offices. The Nurse II is authorized to have their job duties include the coordination of services, technical consultation and clinical support for Communicable Disease, in particular, STI/HIV activities. Primary responsibilities include developing and implementing CS education for regional CS nurse positions, covering regional CS nurse position duties and responsibilities when absent, developing community STI/HIV education, patient care, reporting/documentation and disease intervention activities under the general supervision of the Director of Public Health Nursing. Nurse II duties include participation in current and long-range planning for HIV/STI prevention with central DSHS programs and supporting STI/HIV activities in assigned areas that include central programs, the Public Health Regions and Local Health Entities. In coordination with the Communicable Disease Manager and Program Manager of Public Health Regions or central DSHS offices supports the program goals and objectives. Works under limited supervision of the Director of Public Health Nursing with considerable latitude for use of initiative and independent judgment. This Nurse II position will be based in the central DSHS Austin office and report to the Director of Public Health Nursing.

Requirements

Have working knowledge and be familiar with the Outbreak Response Plan, the STD program objectives, the CDC Program Operation Guidelines for STD prevention and adheres to all relevant DSHS policies and guidelines.
Comprehensive knowledge of Department of State Health Services HIV/STD Program standards of operation, policies and procedures.
Knowledge of the CDC HIV/STD treatment protocols and guidelines
Knowledge and understanding of current social, economic and public health issues.
Knowledge of HIV/STD epidemiology and transmission, and case management techniques.
Knowledge of and ability to comply with Texas DSHS confidentiality guidelines.
Skill in performing basic adult and pediatric physical assessment and obtaining relevant clinical history.
Skill in case analysis and providing clinical case management services.
Skill in interpreting treatment, radiographic and bacteriological data.
Skill in communicating effectively with others (internal / external) both orally and in writing.
Skill in performing phlebotomy; obtaining and processing specimens; administering medications and immunizations.
Skill in using a personal computer and applicable software programs (Microsoft Office and Adobe)
Ability to interpret public health laws and regulations;
Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions;
Ability to conduct objective, comprehensive nursing assessment plans;
Ability to direct and conduct contact and outbreak investigations;
Ability to function independently;
Ability to apply time management principles to tasks;
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public and medical community using tact and diplomacy;
Ability to work independently exercising sound judgment
Ability to work well and effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment
Must be licensed and registered as a Registered Nurse in the State of Texas with an active, unrestricted license.
Current and valid driver's license for the State of Texas.
RN licensed in Texas or compact license equivalent (Required)
Registered Nurse with a minimum of two years' experience with at least one year experience within the last five years working with persons at risk for HIV/STD. (Required)
BSN (Required)
Experience in working with communities. (Required)
Graduation from a Nursing Program accredited by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners. (Required)

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish and English (Preferred)
Experience in developing and/or providing health education presentations/training. (Preferred)
Experience with computer software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, electronic health/medical records systems and the internet. (Preferred)

Responsibilities

Supports the CS regional nurses, regional medical directors and Texas DSHS recognized medical experts on complicated Congenital Syphilis cases or HIV/STD cases
Distributes technical guidance and education to regional CS nurses and their patients, according to the guidance from DSHS and DSHS recognized experts on Congenital Syphilis and STI/HIV.
Develop implement and support high quality Congenital Syphilis and STI/HIV education to the Public Health Regions.
Provide case management and patient coverage(physical or virtual) for Congenital Syphilis cases in regions when regional CS nurse is not available.
Analyze data from PHR studies on CS/HIV/STI assessments and other studies to make recommendations and prepare reports for PHR leadership.
Collaborate with internal DSHS syaff and community leaders in PHRs to address Congenital Syphillis/ HIV and STI case management needs.
Consult with DSHS agency staff and contractors regarding the analysis of statewide CS/STI/HIV health needs, CS/STI/HIV program issues and the interpretation of state and federal rules, regulations and statues.
Participate in quality assurance monitoring reviews of CS data to determine compliance with policies and procedures.
Serves as a support resource to individuals, providers and stakeholders by providing information on CDC/DSHS standards regarding the current testing, diagnoses and treatment of Congenital Syphilis, as well as other STIs and HIV.
The facilities supported can be health facilities, county correctional facilities, residential substance abuse facilities, and other community agency facilities.
Communicates with private healthcare providers as directed by the Public Health Region, in the community providing CS/STI/HIV clinical guidance according to the recommendations given from the CDC and DSHS.
Participates in multidisciplinary meetings and trainings to review all aspects of Congenital Syphilis case management and provide support to promote consistent and optimal patient care.
Collaborates with local health entities, community leaders within PHRs and internal DSHS staff at both the central and regional level to address educational needs for CS/HIV/STIs.
Under limited supervision and in adherence with Public Health Region's Standard Delegation Orders, performs detection, intervention, reporting, surveillance, notification, and referral activities related to persons with HIV/STI infections and their contacts, at high risk for HIV/STI transmission.
This includes injection drug users, and other hard-to-reach and special populations, including, homeless persons, sex industry workers, transgender and intersexed persons, incarcerated populations, and persons whose primary language is not English.
Supports statutory disease reporting, achievement of Regional and Central DSHS program performance standards, and abides by the DSHS DIS guidelines, DSHS HIV/STI Surveillance guidelines, DSHS Congenital Syphilis guidelines and HHS HR manual.
Under limited supervision and adherence to the SDOs, evaluates patients for Congenital Syphilis/STI/HIV risk factors, clinical presentation, and screening results.
In collaboration with the authorizing physician develops a treatment plan; establishes mutual goals, and monitors the patient's treatment response.
Engages patients in behavior modification to promote treatment adherence.
Performs other duties as assigned

Benefits

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

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