Public Health Nurse

City of New Haven•New Haven, CT

4d•$69,411 - $88,310

About The Position

Are you a compassionate and dedicated nursing professional looking to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of the community? The Department of Health, City of New Haven, invites you to join our team as a Public Health Nurse. In this vital role, you will have the opportunity to provide essential nursing care and expertise to individuals and their families in one or more public schools, non-public schools, and throughout the community. As a Public Health Nurse, you will play a crucial part in strengthening the educational process by removing health-related barriers to learning, promoting optimal wellness for students and families, and ensuring that state laws and local health and education policies are adhered to. If you possess a passion for improving the lives of school-age children and youth, we encourage you to apply and become an instrumental force in enhancing the overall health of our community. Join us in our mission to build a healthier and thriving future for the City of New Haven. The Nursing Section Service s is committed to ensuring an optimal level of wellness for a culturally diverse urban community by promoting and encouraging a healthy lifestyle for its residents. One of the primary functions of the Nursing Section Services is the School Nursing Program, one component of the School Health Services provided by the City of New Haven. The majority of the Public Health Nurses serve as school nurses for the schools located in New Haven. PRIMARY FUNCTIONS This is a position as a Public Health Nurse in the Department of Health, City of New Haven. The Public Health Nurse will assume responsibility for providing professional nursing care and expertise to individuals and their families in one or more public schools, non-public schools, and in the community. Primary emphasis will be on the health needs of school age children and youth. In this capacity, the nurse strengthens the educational process by modifying or removing health-related barriers to learning, and by promoting optimal levels of wellness for students and families. The Public Health Nurse implements state laws, local boards of health and education policies and procedures relative to school and community health services, and adheres to standard nursing practice. TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES As a provider of health services, the public health nurse utilizes a distinctive clinical knowledge base, and a systematic approach to problem-solving/decision-making. The Public Health Nurse applies appropriate theories from nursing as well as the physical, behavioral, public health and social sciences. The Public Health Nurse responsibilities include:

Requirements

Possession of a valid, current Registered Nurse license issued by the State of Connecticut.
Graduation from an accredited National League of Nursing (N.L.N.) program with a Bachelor of Science degree program in Nursing or, a diploma from a three-year hospital school of nursing, or an Associates Degree in nursing.
Two years full-time employment in nursing within the past five years, preferably one year in public health, pediatric, or emergency room nursing or related specialty.
Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification
Valid and current Connecticut drivers license
Knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices and techniques of professional nursing, including growth and development of school-aged child and youth
Ability to provide direction and guidance to others on the health team
Knowledge of current community health issues
Knowledge of functions and services of other community agencies and resources.

Responsibilities

Implementing program objectives
Collecting data regarding the health and developmental status of the individual
Identifying and evaluating individual chronic health needs and referring as appropriate
Assessing and making referrals for injuries (including first aid) and acute illnesses
Coordinating and implementing mandated screening tests
Discussing and counseling students and parents/guardians on findings and implications of health assessments/screenings
Administering medication and providing specialized physical health care procedures as prescribed
Communicating with parents/guardians and health care providers regarding student’s response to medication and procedures
Collaborating with evaluation/intervention teams to discuss and plan for health, safety and educational needs of individual students in the school community
Providing health information/in-services in the schools and community
Acting as a mentor and providing direction and guidance to newly assigned nursing staff
Carrying out selective home visits on behalf of school-aged children and youth
Maintaining school health and immunization records
Responsibility for the training and supervising of the administration of medication by school personnel
Responsibility for the training and delegating of specialized physical health care to other school personnel
Collaborating with other health care providers and educators to identify, design, implement, and evaluate health curriculum
Assuming responsibility for pursuing continued professional growth and development through education and national certification
Participating in research concerning school and community, including the collection of health data, evaluation and outcomes
Acting as an advocate for the health rights of individuals and their families in the school setting and community at large
Other duties as assigned
The Pubic Health Nurse adheres to and incorporates the Standards of School Nursing Practice while performing their responsibilities, as adopted by the National Association of School Nursing.