Public Health Nurse

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Navasota, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Plans and provides comprehensive public health essential services, case management and population-based activities for county/counties of responsibility. Serves as Team Leader for staff by directing day to day essential public health services for assigned county/counties. Assesses the health status of populations, determinants of health and illness, and factors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention. Participates in coordination of data collection and analysis. Recommends and coordinates action strategies. Confidentiality is of utmost importance.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tuberculosis treatment protocols and guidelines including directly observed therapy, targeted screening for latent tuberculosis infection and contact investigation.
• Knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STD treatment protocols and guidelines.
• Knowledge of the American College of Immunization Practices recommendations for immunization use in routine or outbreak settings.
• Knowledge of professional nursing techniques, basic sciences and interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public health nursing, family and group relationships, teaching methods and management techniques.
• Knowledge of basic strategic planning principles.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health systems.
• Knowledge of the use of health assessment tools.
• Skill in using computer data entry system.
• Skill in providing consultations.
• Skill in communicating orally and in written communications.
• Ability to plan, organize and carry out training/educational presentations.
• Ability to perform general and public health nursing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to identify and interpret laws, regulations and policies related to specific programs that protect health and inform communities about these policies.
• Ability to collaborate with community partners to promote the health of the population.
• Currently licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing or a compact state to practice as a Registered Nurse.
• One year of experience providing health related services in a clinical and/or field setting.
• Experience in working with communities.
• Experience in developing and/or providing health education presentations/trainin
• Experience with computer software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and the internet.
• Licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing or a compact state to practice as a Registered Nurse.
• Current cardiopumonary resuscitation certification (basic life support).
• Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of their official duties, employee must possess a current valid Texas driver's license for the appropriate type vehicle and proof of insurance.
• Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, annual vaccination against influenza (and hepatitis B if applicable).
• Must be able to wear N95 and other PPE for extended periods of time.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of public health related experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of disease intervention functions essential to public health to include Case Management, Tuberculosis, HIV/STD, Immunizations, and Perinatal Hepatitis B. Utilizes computer data entry system for management of clinic services, inventory, and ordering. Call Out: Will be called out after hours, including weekends and holidays, in response to temperature excursion notification from Sensaphone System on vaccine refrigerator and/or freezer vaccine storage units. Will follow vaccine contingency plan.
• Conducts essential Public Health Nursing functions in county/counties assigned by providing, promoting, monitoring, tracking and reviewing population based health services as relates to family health issues to include quality assurance, health education for groups and leadership.
• Conducts public health essential functions related to public health reparedness with emphasis on bioterrorism response. Participates in local planning for cummunity preparedness in responding to bioterrorist or public health event. Participates as directed in all hazards response.
• Interprets policies, functions and philosophy of the agency to individuals, professionals and community groups as assigned. Serves as Team Leader for clinic staff.
• Other duties as assigned: “Other duties as assigned" include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.”

Benefits

• DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed