Public Health Nurse I/II

County of Weld • Greeley, CO

2d • $84,136 - $113,589 • Onsite

About The Position

We are actively recruiting for a full-time Registered Nurse who will work as a Generalist, providing comprehensive clinical services in the Fort Lupton office, along with being a part of our outreach team providing STI/Immunization services within Weld County. In addition to direct patient care, this role includes on-going community outreach to increase utilization and expand services in southeast Weld County. The ideal candidate will bring experience in public health including immunizations, pediatrics, and women’s health, and a passion for the community they serve. A strong commitment to community engagement and the ability to thrive in dynamic environments are essential. Nurse I: $76,315.20 - $103,022.40 Nurse II: $84,136.00 - $113,588.80 The anticipated starting salary for Nurse I is $76,315.20 and for Nurse II is $84,136.00. Spanish speaking is preferred but not required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.
• 2 years of professional work experience with maternal and public health, family planning, child health, pediatrics, case management, or closely related field in a public health setting is preferred, but not required.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary skills will be considered.
• Current Colorado nursing license in good standing is required.
• BLS - Basic Life Support
• Have and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license and use of personal, insured vehicle is required to perform job duties.
• Dependable transportation and auto insurance, maintained at all times, as required by State law, is required.
• Pre-employment substance screening is required for this position.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment drug screening.
• Employment is contingent upon successfully passing the screening in accordance with Weld County policy.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in Spanish preferred, but not required.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to read and comprehend information and ideas presented in written form, including all forms of correspondence, instructions, procedure manuals, departmental policies, safety rules, operating manuals, and maintenance instructions.
• Ability to competently respond to questions in one-on-one and small group situations to a variety of audiences, such as managers, colleagues, customers, and clients.
• Ability to appropriately tailor messages to meet the needs of the audience.
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences; give full attention to what other people are saying; take time to understand the points being made; ask questions as appropriate; and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
• Ability to understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making situations.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand with a thorough knowledge of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak clearly and communicate information and ideas verbally so others will understand.
• Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It may not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions; apply common sense to problem solving in a work environment; apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense; deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations; solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; and combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Ability to work well in a team environment; work with a diverse group of people; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, professionals, other departments, agencies, and the public; and bring others together to reconcile differences.
• Ability to manage one's own time and the time of others.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, high-volume, and ever-changing work environment and to handle high-stress situations.
• Ability to determine how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Ability to identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance relative to the goals of the system.
• Ability to develop creative ideas to solve problems.
• Must have the ability to be reached (such as on a cell phone) and work outside of normal business hours as necessary, especially during emergencies and as needed by the Health Department Executive Director or Division Directors.

Responsibilities

• Nursing Assessment
• Establish and maintain therapeutic client relationships with a nonjudgmental attitude while delivering individualized client services, either in the home or in clinic.
• Interview clients, gather a complete health history, and develop plan of care based on client needs.
• Conduct home visits to determine client and family needs.
• Assess the physical, emotional, social, and environmental needs of clients and their families as they relate to health and life-course development and develop plans to meet these needs according to program guidelines.
• Evaluate progress of family members toward targeted goals and revise plan of care as appropriate.
• Determine when laboratory specimens should be collected, collect specimens, and prepare specimens for laboratory transport.
• Interpret lab results and establish plan of care based on results, provider recommendations, or standing orders.
• Therapeutic Relationships
• Develop an effective working relationship with clients and their families to enhance problem-solving competence.
• Use logic and reasoning skills to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each family and guide them to consider alternative solutions or approaches to problems when appropriate.
• Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to help the client/family choose the most appropriate solution for themselves.
• Work independently while maintaining strong professional boundaries.
• Care Coordination and Education
• Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate client care plans; modify client treatment plans as indicated by clients' responses and conditions; administer medications and/or vaccines according to protocol to clients and monitor clients for reactions and/or side effects.
• Maintain familiarity with immunization schedules, family planning birth control methods, tuberculosis treatment, and communicable diseases.
• Understand VFC requirements and guidelines, as well as vaccine management plans, and respond to urgent situations regarding vaccine storage and handling as assigned.
• Teach clients about healthy behaviors, provide technical expertise to clients regarding best practices for appropriate provision of care for their child's and family's health and well-being.
• Assist clients and their families in establishing realistic goals and measurable outcomes for promoting their health and life-course development.
• Provide education, resources, and referrals as appropriate.
• Identify gaps and barriers in community systems for clients and families.
• Consult, coordinate, and collaborate closely with community resources to link families with appropriate services.
• Professional Conduct
• Maintain professional conduct and adhere to the Public Health Code of Ethics.
• Use exceptional customer service skills to respond to community needs, enhance public relations, coordinate activities, and represent the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment in order to promote and maintain a positive public health image and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.
• Maintain current licenses and certifications.
• Update program information and protocol by attending continuing education courses related to program responsibilities.
• Keep up-to-date technically and apply new knowledge to the job.
• Complete position-specific training for public health emergency response activities.
• Acquire and retain knowledge of policies, procedures, and various local, state, and federal regulations related to Health Department programs.
• Maintain sensitive and confidential records information.
• Follow the Weld County Code of Conduct and adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines, including HIPAA, program-specific guidelines and the appropriate non-disclosure and/or release of information.
• Record proper documentation of client care, condition, progress, and problems; involve supervisor when appropriate.
• Comply with Federal, State, and local regulations and employer policies and procedures.
• Prepare rooms, equipment, supplies, and prepare instruments for sterilization.
• Ensure that appropriate stock of supplies is maintained.
• Provide treatments to clients following physician's instructions and assist with expanded procedures.
• Work the scheduled hours each day/week established for this position and be available as-needed outside of regularly scheduled work hours or Health Department operating hours to attend and assist with night meetings, communication events, community outreach events, and assist with response to public health emergencies.
• Commute and work from all Health Department locations including the Greeley and Southeast Weld offices and/or other office/clinic locations as needed.
• Finance and Operations
• Conduct activities within the financial and operational plan of the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment.
• Enter data into several difference computer programs; learn and apply new computer skills on a regular basis; have a strong working knowledge of computer programs used on a daily basis such as electronic health records, program specific software applications, Microsoft Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneDrive, database user interface and query software (client databases), and web browser software.
• Minimum essential functions of a Public Health Nurse I.
• Program Evaluation and Outreach
• Participate in evaluation of programs and provide input into how to further develop and enhance programs.
• Provide assistance with community outreach efforts to meet and exceed programmatic deliverables.
• Serve as a resource to other community agencies and other health department staff.
• Provide guidance to community in area of specialty.
• Leadership Roles
• Assume expanded or leadership roles as needed when responding to public health emergencies.
• Assume expanded roles and responsibilities within programs and the Health Department.
• Demonstrate increased involvement in Health Department operations such as strategic planning, CHIP and committee assignments.
• Additional Responsibilities
• Demonstrated proficiency in assignments.
• Display a high level of initiative, effort, adaptability, and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate responsible behavior and attention to detail.
• Obtain additional certifications such as lactation consultant, Yellow Fever, and STI training.

Benefits

• Use the link below to get a closer look at the generous benefits offered: https://www.weld.gov/Government/County-Information/Join-Our-Team/Employee-Benefits
• Weld County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level