Public Health Nurse - Tuberculosis Unit

El Paso County • El Paso, CO

20h • Onsite

About The Position

El Paso County Public Health is seeking a Public Health Nurse with strong teamwork skills for our Tuberculosis Program. As a member of the TB team, you will develop expertise in TB care to support local healthcare providers and assess and treat patients of the TB clinic. The Public Health Nurse will see patients in the clinic and in the field to support timely, low-barrier access to care. This role provides the opportunity to gain experience in a unique public health specialty that heavily incorporates principles of infection prevention and epidemiology. If you want to expand on your foundational nursing knowledge while improving the health of our community as part of a highly motivated team, apply today. Our hiring team reviews applications regularly and will be in touch within 5 business days. We won't leave you wondering. El Paso County Public Health — Building a Healthier Future, Together.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or master’s degree in nursing (MSN).
• Senior Nurse: Two years of nursing experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must have current Registered Nurse licensure to practice in the State of Colorado; nurses with compact licensure must meet all licensure requirements set forth by the Colorado Board of Nursing within ninety days of employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid CPR Certification.
• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, drug screen, and physical examination.
• Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 25 pounds and bend at waist or knees to get down to child's level.
• Public Health employees are responsible for providing proof of vaccinations and/or tuberculosis testing as applicable to the specific position and must provide proof of completion of required vaccinations/testing or proof of initiation within sixty days of hire date.

Nice To Haves

• Full training and support from experienced TB nurses will be provided.
• Spanish or other language skills are a major plus.
• Bilingual fluency and proficiency in English and Spanish, including reading, writing, speaking, and translation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of TB care from evaluation through treatment completion for both latent and active tuberculosis clients.
• Attend regular TB Program meetings to discuss the status of our patients.
• Evaluate clients in clinic and in the field, including home visits and outreach events.
• Lead contact investigations to stop the spread of TB and treat new infections.
• Coordinate medication therapy with Medical Direction and program consultants.
• Provide consultation services to physicians, hospital Infection Prevention staff, and the public.
• Maintain patient records in the EpiTrax database.
• Performs clinical public health nursing services in department clinics and in community outreach settings for assigned program area.
• Provides immunizations, immune globulin, placement and reading of tuberculosis (TB) skin tests, health testing, and education for individuals, families, and community groups.
• Manages clinic activities, providing health and history assessment, disease prevention, and health promotion activities.
• Provides clinical public health nursing services in accordance with program and department guidelines.
• Screens and assesses clients for recommended services based on standard protocols and industry best practices.
• As assigned, prepares, measures, and administers immunizations to clients in a clinic setting; counsels clients about vaccine reactions and effectiveness; assesses for immediate reactions to vaccines.
• Administers TB skin tests and interprets results as needed.
• Assists clients and their families in establishing goals and outcomes.
• Provides education, support, and referral resources in assisting clients in attaining their targeted goals.
• Evaluates client progress toward stated goals.
• Maintains records, files, data collection, and prepares correspondence.
• Develops and maintains community relationships to support client referrals.
• Assesses the impact of local environmental, cultural, and social patterns on the public's health through collaboration with service providers and systems.
• Collects, compiles, and analyzes data to identify needs and service gaps for individuals, families, and communities and informs the agency of the need.
• Recognizes patterns of illness indicative of disease and environmental hazards.
• Implements action necessary to curtail negative impacts of disease.
• Participates in Public Health outreach activities in the community.
• Serves as liaison between the medical and public health communities.
• Responds to inquiries from the public, community partners, and providers.
• Provides expert Public Health Nursing consultation within the agency and the community.
• Articulates the mission of public health and develops partnerships to accomplish agency goals.
• Interprets rules and regulations to sub-groups in the community.
• Practices within the professional nursing model as described by the Colorado Nurse Practice Act.
• May be called upon to provide immunizations or support emergency response activities outside of the assigned program area as needed for public health response activities for which El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) is the lead agency.
• Participates in departmental emergency planning and response activities.
• Promotes public health within the community.
• Takes personal responsibility to provide exceptional customer service in order to promote and maintain a positive Public Health image, constructive working environment, and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.
• Performs other duties as required.

Benefits

• Full training and support from experienced TB nurses will be provided to ensure your safety while working with infectious clients and to support clinical decision-making.

What This Job Offers

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