Public Health Nurse II, Communicable Disease (STD/HIV)

Deschutes County Human Resources•Bend, OR

2d•$7,353 - $9,853•Hybrid

About The Position

The Public Health Nurse II plays an important role in decreasing sexual health disparities within Deschutes County. This position will provide Disease Investigation Specialist (DIS) services and community outreach with the goal of preventing and reducing reportable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Duties include, but are not limited to, receiving and managing reportable STD cases; interpreting lab results; investigating and controlling the spread of STD-related communicable diseases and outbreaks; notify persons infected with, or exposed to, sexually transmitted diseases through office and field work; provide testing and treatment services for cases and contacts; provide screening services through our STI/HIV safety net clinics, conducting individualized risk reduction counseling for those with or exposed to STDs, HIV and Hep C; coordinating with medical providers and health care systems regarding client evaluation and treatment guidelines; conducting community outreach testing services on the mobile medical unit; providing community education and health promotion; completing timely and accurate case and data entry; providing active surveillance of targeted populations; participate with internal and community stakeholders and partners to achieve programmatic priorities; and other duties as assigned. This position is housed within the larger Communicable Disease Team and may be required to conduct case investigations (other than STDs) during an outbreak or pandemic. Position may require travel throughout the tri-county region to include Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and functions. Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status. Additional information regarding the position may be found by clicking here . Key Responsibilities: Work with communities impacted by sexually transmitted infections in a professional and non-judgmental manner. Create trust through effective communication both verbally and in writing with clients, community members and co-workers. Explain medical and health information accurately and in an understandable manner to clients. Apply knowledge of public health issues related to communicable disease, trends affecting health care, social conditions and population groups.

Requirements

Associate's degree in Nursing, AND two (2) years of relevant experience; OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job.
Basic epidemiology and understanding of disease symptoms, causes, transmission, and control concepts.
Nursing assessment and intervention skills in specialty area.
Use of electronic health records systems such as EPIC platform.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community partners, the general public and other employees at all times.
Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing on health-related topics to audiences with diverse backgrounds.
Driving is a requirement for this position.
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date.
Dependable transportation and willingness and ability to drive throughout the tri-counties (Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook) in sometimes adverse weather conditions.
Computer literacy with strong typing and computer skills required.
Sufficient ambulatory ability to drive throughout Deschutes County and to provide face-to-face services in the community.
Ability to work in an office that is environmentally controlled.
Sufficient hand coordination to perform keyboarding and data entry.
Arm/hand movements to retrieve work materials and operate a variety of general office equipment.
Ability to sit, walk, stoop, bend, kneel, reach, stand, grasp, talk, hear, see, and lift up to 10 pounds on an occasional basis.
Possession of an Oregon Registered Nurse license or ability to obtain by hire date.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Nursing.

Responsibilities

Receive and manage reportable STD cases
Interpret lab results
Investigate and control the spread of STD-related communicable diseases and outbreaks
Notify persons infected with, or exposed to, sexually transmitted diseases through office and field work
Provide testing and treatment services for cases and contacts
Provide screening services through STI/HIV safety net clinics
Conduct individualized risk reduction counseling for those with or exposed to STDs, HIV and Hep C
Coordinate with medical providers and health care systems regarding client evaluation and treatment guidelines
Conduct community outreach testing services on the mobile medical unit
Provide community education and health promotion
Complete timely and accurate case and data entry
Provide active surveillance of targeted populations
Participate with internal and community stakeholders and partners to achieve programmatic priorities
Conduct case investigations (other than STDs) during an outbreak or pandemic
Work with communities impacted by sexually transmitted infections in a professional and non-judgmental manner
Create trust through effective communication both verbally and in writing with clients, community members and co-workers
Explain medical and health information accurately and in an understandable manner to clients
Apply knowledge of public health issues related to communicable disease, trends affecting health care, social conditions and population groups