Infectious Disease Prevention Nurse

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS

7d

About The Position

Plans and provides comprehensive public health essential services, case management and population-based activities for county/counties of responsibility. Serves as Team Leader for clinic and support staff by directing day to day essential public health services for assigned county/counties. Assesses the health status of populations, determinants of health and illness, and factors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention. Participates in coordination of data collection and analysis. Recommends and coordinates action strategies. Confidentiality is of utmost importance.
Position is headquartered in Marble Falls, TX (alternate headquarters in Johnson City or Llano will be considered) and will cover our Johnson City clinic and Llano clinic as additional work locations. Frequent travel within Llano, Blanco, Burnet, San Saba, Mills, Hamilton, Coryell, Bosque, and Hill Counties is required. This position is of part of our regional Infectious Disease Prevention Team (IDP Team) with a primary focus on active tuberculosis, syphilis, and perinatal hepatitis B. Under the general direction of the Public Health Nurse Program Manager, and medical direction of the Regional Medical Director and Advanced Practice Nurse, this position performs public health nursing work in clinical and/or non-clinical settings.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tuberculosis treatment protocols and guidelines including directly observed therapy, targeted screening for latent tuberculosis infection and contact investigation.
• Knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STD treatment protocols and guidelines.
• Knowledge of the American College of Immunization Practices recommendations for immunization use in routine or outbreak settings.
• Knowledge of professional nursing techniques, basic sciences, and interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public health nursing, family and group relationships, teaching methods, and management techniques.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of  public health systems.
• Knowledge of  the use of health assessment tools.
• Skill in using computer data entry system.
• Skill in providing consultations.
• Skill in communicating orally and in written communications.
• Ability to plan, organize and carry out training/educational presentations.
• Ability to perform general and public health nursing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to identify and interpret laws, regulations and policies related to specific programs that protect health and inform communities about these policies.
• Ability to collaborate with community partners to promote the health of the population.
• Licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing or a compact state to practice as a Registered Nurse.
• Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification (basic life support).
• Employee must provide reliable transportation.
• Employee must possess a current valid Texas driver's license for the appropriate type vehicle and proof of insurance.
• Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, annual vaccination against influenza (and hepatitis B if applicable).

Nice To Haves

• Two years of public health related experience preferred.
• One year of experience providing health related services in a clinical and/or field setting.
• Experience in working with communities.
• Experience in developing and/or providing health education presentations/training.
• Experience with computer software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and the internet.

Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of disease intervention functions essential to public health to include Case Management, Tuberculosis, HIV/STD, Immunizations, and Perinatal Hepatitis B.
• Utilizes computer data entry system for management of clinic services, inventory, and ordering.
• Will be called out after hours, including weekends and holidays, in response to temperature excursion notification from Sensaphone System on vaccine refrigerator and/or freezer vaccine storage units.
• Will follow vaccine contingency plan.
• Conducts essential Public Health Nursing functions in county/counties assigned by providing, promoting, monitoring, tracking and reviewing population based health services as relates to family health issues to include quality assurance, health education for groups and leadership.
• Conducts public health essential functions related to public health preparedness with emphasis on bioterrorism response.
• Participates in local planning for community preparedness in responding to bioterrorist or public health event.
• Participates as directed in all hazards response.
• Interprets policies, functions and philosophy of the agency to individuals, professionals and community groups as assigned.
• Serves as Team Leader for clinic and support staff.
• Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
• Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.”

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).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed