Clinical Services -Public Health Nurse

Allen County Indiana•Fort Wayne, IN

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Clinical Services and Case Management Division Director, the Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management conducts a variety of health education, testing, screening and follow-up care programs throughout Allen County including assisting with Refugee Case Management, Communicable Disease investigations and follow-up, including outbreak investigations, performing testing, screening and follow-up healthcare/treatment services to clients in the Immunization and Clinical Services Division. The Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management investigates infectious disease cases, administers vaccinations and other health screenings to children and adults. This position is Covered as defined by The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen Employee Handbook.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in Nursing and one year previous nursing experience required.
Knowledge of Case Management skills
Strong written and verbal skills, including public speaking
Knowledge of accepted principles and practices of Public Health Nursing, with the ability to effectively examine and screen individuals, assess needs, and provide information, treatments, assistance, documentation and referrals
Knowledge of public health laws, regulations, and related operations, methods, principals, and safety measures, with the ability to effectively evaluate and treat individuals accordingly
Ability to effectively conduct field visits and resolve related emergencies and problems as situations demand
Knowledge of health and social services available to Allen County residents, with the ability to facilitate referrals as appropriate and work as a liaison with community organizations
Ability to maintain confidentiality of all Department records and information
Ability to properly compile statistics, conduct a great deal of data entry and forms completion, and accurately prepare files, documents, and reports
Indiana State Registered Nurse License in good standing
National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification upon employment as required for all public health staff.
CPR Certification.
Tuberculosis skin testing certification within six months of employment
Valid Driver’s License

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred.

Responsibilities

Responsible for Case Management for all active tuberculosis cases in Allen County including interpretation and coordination of labs, medical and pharmacological care.
Coordinates communicable disease investigations and TB contact investigations in accordance with applicable laws and regulations completing investigative paperwork, interviews with patients and reports to the Indiana State Department of Health.
Prepares TB medication for patients on Directly Observed Therapy.
Performs onsite and offsite infectious disease investigation in accordance with any communicable disease outbreak.
Coordinates patient care with outside agencies and organizations, including Federally Qualified Health Clinics, Indigent clinics, Public Transportation systems and private providers.
Assists with organizing, set-up, and participation in special immunization or infectious disease intervention clinics, including interviewing patients to ascertain health status and explaining precautions and reactions.
Prepares appropriate paperwork and forms for submission as required.
Administers and reads TB skin tests.
Answers all community phone calls regarding communicable diseases.
Collaborates with Healthy Homes Division, Lead Case Management and Fall/Injury Risk Assessments in providing comprehensive multidisciplinary care.
Coordinates and assists with various community health fairs and conducts training and in-service presentations.
Responds to and participates in immediate community health nursing needs/events as required including mass prophylaxis clinics, outbreaks/pandemics, mass treatment sites, preparedness drills, etc.
Compiles and prepares monthly, annual, and special reports as required by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Administration of the Health Department.
Serves as a member of the smallpox response team and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
Performs all other duties as assigned.