PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE SPECIALIST- 40007501

Durham County • Durham, NC

6d • $76,422 - $129,825

About The Position

The Public Health Nurse Specialist works in the School Health Program within the Medical Services Division. The program provides nursing services to students and families enrolled in Durham Public Schools, including alternative educational programs, as well as school faculty and staff, administrators, and the broader community. Its purpose is to promote the health and welfare of children enrolled in Durham Public Schools through health promotion activities, plans of care for students with special health needs, input on school health and safety, and support for health policy development.

The role identifies and helps address health issues, needs, and barriers to care; educates clients about medical compliance; builds relationships with community, public health, and other partners; documents work in the electronic medical record; participates in outreach, community events, and assigned emergency preparedness activities; and performs related work as assigned. The position has primary work hours between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM and may be called upon at any time to assist with public health emergencies. Emergency duties may involve travel during inclement weather.

Employees must meet Durham County Department of Public Health vaccination and tuberculosis screening requirements, with Hepatitis B vaccination/immunity additionally required for employees with potential bloodborne pathogen exposure. Proof of required vaccination and screening must be provided to Human Resources within seven business days prior to employment.

Requirements

• Meet one of the stated education and experience pathways: a four-year college or university degree with a B.S. in Nursing including a Public Health Nursing rotation and one year of Public Health Nursing experience; or a Master's in Public Health and graduation from a school of professional nursing plus one year of professional nursing experience; or graduation from a school of professional nursing plus two years of professional nursing experience, including one year of Public Health Nursing experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Be licensed to practice as a registered nurse in North Carolina by the NC Board of Nursing.
• Have a current valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Possess thorough knowledge of and skill in applying public health principles and techniques, particularly in school health.
• Be able to work independently and apply critical thinking in complex health-related situations.
• Have good verbal and written communication skills.
• Have considerable knowledge of relevant resources and organizations and the ability to coordinate and use them as needed.
• Be able to deal tactfully with others and foster and maintain effective working relationships.
• Be able to interpret medical documents accurately and plan, coordinate, and evaluate related nursing interventions.
• Be proficient in computer systems such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Be flexible and receptive to changes in staff, program and agency needs, patient populations, program requirements, and community agencies.
• Comply with required employee vaccination/immunity and tuberculosis screening policies, and provide documentation before employment. Hepatitis B vaccination/immunity is required for employees with potential bloodborne pathogen exposure.
• Be available for assigned public health emergency response; emergency duty may require travel during inclement weather.

Responsibilities

• Identify and help address health issues, needs, and barriers to care.
• Educate clients about the importance of medical compliance.
• Build relationships with Durham community members, Public Health, and other community partners as needed.
• Document work-related tasks in the electronic medical record according to policy and protocol.
• Participate in outreach and community events as indicated.
• Participate in assigned emergency response and preparedness tasks.
• Perform additional related work as assigned.
• Support school health services and the program’s efforts to promote the health and welfare of Durham Public Schools students.

What This Job Offers

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