Public Health Nurse II - Communicable Disease Program Manager

Jackson County•538 Scotts Creek Road -- Sylva, NC

About The Position

The Public Health Nurse II will primarily serve as the Community Disease Program Manager, including responsibility for sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, and infection control. The nurse will also provide backup for general clinic and immunization services and may work across clinical programs including family planning, adult health, prenatal and perinatal care, communicable disease, employee health, Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP), WiseWoman, sports physicals, and school health assessments. Under general supervision, the nurse provides public health nursing services in homes, clinics, and community settings; case-manages high-risk clients; coordinates specialized clinic activities; and provides preventive nursing services such as health assessment, education, counseling, and referrals. The role includes coordinating disease-control activities, supporting community health education and outreach, and working independently on community-based health promotion projects. The nurse may lead staff or sub-professionals during clinic and project work, while referring unusual situations to a higher-level supervisor. Public health preparedness duties may be required, including work during emergencies with extended hours and long shifts. The position is 40 hours per week. Depending on department needs and supervisor approval, the schedule may be four 10-hour days or five 8-hour days, generally Monday through Friday. Occasional late-evening or weekend work may be required; the position is on call 24/7 for unusual surveillance activities or events and requires night and weekend work when necessary. Occasional travel may be required, and the nurse must have a personal vehicle and a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing.
At least one year of professional nursing experience.
Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina through the N.C. Board of Nursing.
Personal vehicle and a valid North Carolina driver’s license; occasional travel may be required.
Knowledge and skill in nursing theory, practice, principles, and techniques used in public health and related programs.
Knowledge of community resources and organizations and ability to coordinate services.
Knowledge of epidemiologic investigation, control, and care of chronic and communicable diseases and illnesses.
Knowledge of technical nursing procedures, medical terminology, physiological development and behavior, public health laws and regulations, and public health practices.
Working knowledge of prevention, detection, reporting, and treatment of child abuse and neglect, as well as interviewing, counseling, and teaching techniques.
Ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee the work of others and to exercise sound judgment.
Ability to partner with patients and service providers, maintain effective working relationships, and communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
Ability to document services accurately, interpret records and reports, and use computers for communication, patient documentation, and information access.
Ability to assess health care needs and develop and implement care plans, including for high-risk groups in homes, clinics, and community settings.
Ability to coach, counsel, teach, and inform clients about public health issues; administer treatments and medications; and teach or supervise health professionals and volunteers.
Ability to work sensitively with people from different cultural, environmental, and social backgrounds.
Ability to speak effectively before groups, assess community health needs, assume a leadership role in community health programs, and prepare statistical and other reports, records, and charts.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Community Disease Program Manager, primarily covering sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, and infection control.
Provide backup for general clinic and immunization services and provide nursing services across assigned clinical programs.
Direct clinic work by assigning tasks to lower-level staff, managing clinic flow, and advising staff about unfamiliar patient situations.
Coordinate and/or provide public health nursing services, including assessment, counseling, teaching, follow-up, referrals, therapeutic care, medication administration, and treatments.
Organize and coordinate specialized clinics as assigned.
Participate in epidemiological studies and conduct investigations to control diseases.
Make home visits to high-risk clients and families for case management and other public health nursing activities.
Assess clients’ physical, psychosocial, and health care needs; arrange medical and social services; consult with physicians; and counsel clients and families on sensitive issues.
Advocate for clients with health care providers and coordinate referrals to County programs, community agencies, and physicians.
Help define community health needs and develop, coordinate, and implement community and specialized health education programs.
Serve as a consultant on public health nursing issues to social workers and other staff, as assigned.
Coordinate specialized programs or provide specialized nursing services to target populations, including program-manager assignments.
Assist with grant or demonstration-project preparation, implementation, and evaluation.
Participate in preparing procedure manuals, forms, instructional materials, surveys, and questionnaires.
Attend staff meetings, in-service training, and team meetings; make presentations to community groups.
Maintain automated and manual records and use electronic health records and other electronic documentation.
Work independently in community-based health-promotion projects, including developing programs or support groups, promoting community advocacy, and building partnerships with residents.
Lead teams by coordinating work assignments and the quality of services delivered by sub-professionals.
Manage program-level support activities such as in-service training or quality assurance, and participate in planning, audits, and program reviews.
Participate in public health preparedness activities and work during public health emergencies as needed, potentially including extended hours and long shifts.
Observe federal, state, and local HIPAA laws and regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor, Health Director, or Deputy Health Director.