Public Health Nurse

Baltimore County•Towson, MD

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, plans, coordinates, and provides professional public health nursing services to individuals, families, and groups in the home, community, and health centers. This role involves comprehensive public health nursing and case management services for individuals with active tuberculosis (TB) disease and latent TB infection (LTBI). The nurse will conduct nursing assessments, provide health education and counseling, administer and monitor prescribed treatment, evaluate medication adherence and potential side effects, and coordinate appropriate follow-up care. Services will be provided in clinic settings, client homes, and other community settings as appropriate. The position requires conducting home visits to assess clients, monitor treatment progress, provide medications, and identify barriers to treatment completion. The nurse will monitor clients throughout therapy, communicate changes in condition to medical providers, and work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary TB team, including physicians, nurse practitioners, public health investigators, laboratory staff, and nursing assistants, to develop and implement individualized care plans. Coordination with hospitals, primary care providers, specialists, pharmacies, and other healthcare organizations is essential for continuity of care. The role includes coordinating and monitoring Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), providing oversight and delegation to nursing assistants, and assessing clients for medical, social, financial, transportation, insurance, language, and other needs that may interfere with treatment. Referrals to internal and external programs and follow-up to support access to services are also key responsibilities. Education will be provided to clients, families, healthcare providers, and community partners regarding TB transmission, prevention, treatment, medication adherence, and infection-control practices. The nurse will reinforce the importance of completing treatment and attending appointments, maintain accurate documentation, and participate in TB-related public health activities such as contact investigations and screenings. Assistance with the orientation and training of new staff, nursing assistants, and students involved in TB services is also expected.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in nursing.
OR Graduation from an accredited diploma school of nursing: Plus At least one-year of professional nursing experience.
OR Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate in arts degree in nursing; Plus At least two years' professional nursing experience.
Possession of a valid license to practice as a professional registered nurse, issued by the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nurses, is required at the time of appointment.
Possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a noncommercial, class C Maryland driver's license is required at the time of appointment.
Applicants are required to submit proof of education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position.
Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant's major field of study.
Proof of license(s) certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Nice To Haves

Additional qualifying education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Responsibilities

Provides comprehensive public health nursing and case management services to individuals with active tuberculosis (TB) disease and latent TB infection (LTBI).
Conducts nursing assessments, provides health education and counseling, administers and monitors prescribed treatment, evaluates medication adherence and potential side effects, and coordinates appropriate follow-up care.
Provides services in the clinic, client homes, and other community settings as appropriate.
Conducts home visits to assess clients, monitor treatment progress, provide medications, and identify barriers that may affect successful completion of treatment.
Monitors clients throughout the course of therapy and communicates changes in condition or concerns to the appropriate medical provider.
Works collaboratively with physicians, nurse practitioners, public health investigators, laboratory staff, nursing assistants, and other members of the multidisciplinary TB team to develop and implement individualized plans of care.
Coordinates services with hospitals, primary care providers, specialists, pharmacies, and other healthcare organizations to promote continuity of care.
Coordinates and monitors Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), including in-person and electronic/video DOT when appropriate.
Provides oversight and delegation to nursing assistants involved in medication delivery, DOT, and other assigned client services.
Assesses clients for medical, social, financial, transportation, insurance, language, and other needs that may interfere with treatment.
Makes appropriate referrals to internal Health Department programs and external community-based organizations and follows up to support access to needed services.
Provides education to clients, families, healthcare providers, and community partners regarding TB transmission, prevention, treatment, medication adherence, and infection-control practices.
Reinforces the importance of completing treatment and attending required medical, laboratory, and radiology appointments.
Maintains accurate and timely nursing documentation, case management records, treatment information, and required reports.
Monitors client progress and ensures appropriate communication and coordination among all providers involved in the client's care.
Participates in TB-related public health activities, including contact investigations, screenings, coordination of testing and evaluation, and other disease-control activities as assigned.
Assists with the orientation, training, and oversight of new staff, nursing assistants, students, and others involved in TB services.
Performs other related duties as required.