Public Health Nurse

Hamilton County • Noblesville, IN

14h • Hybrid

About The Position

Incumbent serves as Public Health Nurse for the Health Department, responsible for providing health screening, treatment and education. Duties include implementing immunization programs, monitoring tuberculosis prevention and treatment, providing follow-up care for immigrants/refugees, investigating communicable diseases, assisting with lead screening, responding to health inquiries, promoting community health education, serving as a resource and referral agency, conducting home visits for SIDS deaths and with the Environmental Health Division, and protecting sensitive patient health information (PHI) by utilizing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) standards. The work involves many variables and requires independent judgment in adapting to varying work environments and determining appropriate treatment and referrals. Work is periodically reviewed for technical accuracy and adherence to guidelines. Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County personnel, IDOH, local health care providers, school personnel, community service organizations, local Department of Family and Children, children, and adults, for purposes of exchanging and explaining information, and providing health screening, treatment, referrals, and education. Incumbent reports directly to Director of Nursing.

Requirements

• A current Indiana registered nurse license and certifications in basic life support and tuberculosis testing are required.
• Working knowledge of and ability to apply state and local public health regulations, accepted principles, practices and common issues in public health nursing, including, but not limited to, administering immunizations and potential complications, communicable disease symptoms/treatment/control, TB testing/case management, lead screening/testing, and public health education.
• Ability to effectively examine and screen individuals, assess needs, and provide appropriate information, treatment, assistance, and referrals.
• Ability to properly use various medical equipment, including stethoscopes, sphygmomanometers, syringes, lancets, and blood collection tubes/filter paper.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, IDOH, health care providers, school personnel, community organizations, local Department of Family and Children, children, and adults, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, prepare detailed reports, and properly use standard office equipment, including computer, printer, telephone, copier, fax machine, and mobile phone.
• Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position.
• Ability to work on several tasks at the same time, often under time pressure, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions/directions and appropriately respond to constructive criticism.
• Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile people.
• Ability to comply with all employer/department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements.
• Ability to occasionally work extended and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town for home visits, but not overnight.
• Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.
• As a result of the duties associated with this job, there is the potential of becoming exposed to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious diseases. To safeguard employees and eliminate the liability placed on Hamilton County, employees working in this position shall begin the three-shot Hepatitis B vaccination and subsequent training within 10 days of their initial job assignment per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2)(i).
• Employment immunizations include up-to-date vaccinations for Tdap, MMR, and Varicella vaccine, or a blood test confirming immunity.
• An annual TB test is required and provided to employees.

Nice To Haves

• Baccalaureate Degree in nursing, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Implements immunization programs according to the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) guidelines, including scheduling appointments, interviewing/educating parents, explaining consent forms, pre-registering children, conducting insurance status checks, determining/administering appropriate vaccines, and maintaining written and computer client records.
• Monitors/maintain tuberculosis prevention and treatment program, including administering/interpreting Mantoux tests for children and adults; maintaining detailed records; counseling/explaining treatment and universal health precautions and monitoring adherence; conducting periodic follow-up tests and testing contacts for disease spread; and communicating with medical personnel regarding patient care.
• Provides TB medication for both latent and active Tuberculosis.
• Conducts Direct Observed Therapy (DOT) for all cases of active TB, involving watching individuals take each dose of medication for 6 to 9 months either in person or using electronic DOT.
• Provides follow-up care for those immigrants/refugees listed as Class B upon entry to the US that includes interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) blood test and chest x-ray.
• Investigate reports of communicable diseases according to state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, including interviewing, educating and testing patients and their contacts, maintaining records, communicating with/reporting to IDOH, and conducting follow-up interviews.
• Communicates using the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System Base System (NBS) and obtains secure patient information via the Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE) system.
• Assists in lead screening, testing and obtaining blood samples from children ages 9 months through 6 years and submits samples to IDOH lab using LimsNet.
• Communicates sample results to parents and physicians.
• Conducts follow-up for elevated lead levels per IDOH requirements, conducts home visits, and provides case management as needed.
• Responds to telephone inquiries regarding disease information, immunizations, appointments, and provides approved health information.
• Promotes community health education, including providing printed information to office/clinic visitors, and by using the website and social media.
• Serves as a resource and referral agency for schools, physicians, and the community.
• Conducts home visits for all Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) deaths, gathering and providing information, consoling parents, and making referrals to community service agencies as appropriate.
• Periodically conducts home visits with the Environmental Health Division.
• Protects sensitive patient health information (PHI) by utilizing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) standards.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The initial and two subsequent vaccinations shall be administered by the Hamilton County Health Department and free of charge to the employee.
• If the employee has previously received the three-shot Hepatitis B vaccination, official documentation must be provided to the supervisor identifying the dates on which each shot was appropriately administered.
• A Temporary Medical Declination may be made for a period of up to six months.
• If not up to date or if no immunization record is available, these vaccines will be provided upon the start of work, free of charge.

What This Job Offers

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