Public Health Nurse

Tohono O'odham Nation Healthcare•Sells, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Health Nurse (PHN) serves as a community health advisor and provides comprehensive nursing services to schools, individuals, and families on the Tohono O'odham Nation. The position is located within Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care facilities, including Sells Hospital, San Xavier Health Center, Santa Rosa Health Center, and San Simon Health Center. Temporary relocation to other TONHC facilities may be required. The PHN works under the supervision of the Director of Public Health Nursing, who establishes program objectives and operations according to Public Health Nursing Program standards. Within established priority policies for home visits, the PHN independently plans and schedules services for an assigned geographic area and determines appropriate assessments, counseling, teaching, and treatment. The role provides prevention, screening, maternal and child health, communicable disease, emergency response, education, referral, and care coordination services in clinics, homes, schools, and community settings. Duties may vary according to assignment.

Requirements

Degree or diploma from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated state accrediting agency when the program was completed.
Two years of clinical nursing experience.
Active, current, and unrestricted Registered Nurse license in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.
Knowledge of Tohono O'odham traditions, language, history, geography, and culture.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and tribal laws, regulations, and requirements.
Knowledge of health-related issues, medical terminology, health education, and child care education.
Knowledge of comprehensive health programs and professional public health nursing principles, practices, and procedures for providing services in clinics, homes, schools, and community environments.
Knowledge of research methods, including statistical compilation and interpretation, for epidemiological surveys, field investigations, and community health program research and evaluation.
Ability to apply adult education methods to encourage behavior changes related to good health practices.
Cultural awareness and ability to appreciate Native American customs and cultural differences and their effects on health care delivery.
Ability to assess individuals, families, and communities physically and psychologically and recognize normal and abnormal conditions.
Knowledge of biological disease processes, illness complications, and required therapeutic interventions.
Knowledge of pharmaceuticals, drugs, and biologicals, including desired effects, side effects, and complications.
Ability to advise and counsel on preventive care, nutrition, common illnesses, child growth and development, mental health, immunizations, and maternal and child health.
Knowledge of primary care and referral resources.
Knowledge of performance improvement and evaluation for improving patient care, monitoring, and program planning.
Knowledge of health records and ability to accurately and completely document clinical data.
Ability to independently organize services for a patient caseload in an assigned geographic area and cooperate as a member of a PHN team.
Ability to communicate and work with tribal staff, health professionals, community members, and people with varying roles, knowledge, and care needs.
Computer skills and knowledge of RPMS and other case management systems.
Ability to instruct and provide job experience to trainees assigned to PHN and other training programs.
Ability to drive government vehicles.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees and the public.
Ability to maintain privileged and confidential information.
Ability to work extended hours and varied schedules, work independently, and meet strict timelines.
A criminal background check and National FBI fingerprint check are required upon recommendation for hire, including a 39-month driving record.
May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license, with no DUIs or major traffic citations within the previous three years.
If required to operate program vehicles, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation employer's insurance requirements for a driver's permit.
Depending on department needs, may be required to demonstrate fluency in both Tohono O'odham and English as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Public Health or Community Health Nursing experience or qualification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Evaluate, promote, and maintain the health of at-risk individuals, families, and the community through disease-prevention education, counseling, advocacy, referrals, care coordination, assessments, and interventions.
Assist with coordinating the immunization program, including tracking and follow-up.
Manage and participate in public health screening clinics, including client interviews and counseling, clinical tasks, prescribed treatment, documentation, and referrals.
Participate in emergency and bioterrorism preparedness and planning, and respond to emergencies such as flooding, fires, and microbursts.
Use the public health nursing process to assess needs, establish outcomes, implement nursing actions, evaluate progress, refer patients to appropriate resources, and organize the assigned geographic-area caseload.
Apply care, treatment, and interventions according to population-based health care principles and standing public health orders.
Identify and report child abuse, dependent adult abuse, and domestic violence incidents.
Provide maternal and child health services and make home visits as necessary.
Monitor prenatal patients, provide prenatal education, and participate in sonogram clinics.
Coordinate and exchange information with other health care entities and agencies to support effective patient care.
Use RPMS systems and enter information into RPMS patient care packages as required.
Coordinate responses to reportable and infectious disease outbreaks on the Tohono O'odham Nation; work with state and tribal health departments on testing and contact investigations; provide direct care and education in communities; and use MEDSIS for communicable disease investigation and surveillance.
Assist physicians with communicable disease control and treatment and consult with agencies on communicable disease issues.
Coordinate sexually transmitted disease care, case and contact investigations, education, and liaison activities with state and federal entities.
Coordinate and implement treatment plans for active tuberculosis cases and preventive therapy for infected individuals; conduct TB testing and surveillance; and plan and coordinate community investigations.
Respond to public health emergencies as required.
Promote, teach, and demonstrate nursing care to patients, families, and community groups, including information about specific diseases, health conditions, and health maintenance.
Provide public health consultation and health education to tribal programs, Head Start, schools, community settings, TONHC employees, and outside agencies; participate with local community groups in planning health services.
Serve on community task forces related to the position.
Help orient new employees and mentor nurses in public health nursing.
Assist with planning and conducting continuing education and maintain compliance with mandatory training requirements.
Lead and guide non-professional staff, such as Health Technicians and Disease Investigators.
Participate in performance improvement teams and committees; monitor work quality and quantity and recommend corrective action.
Maintain professional nursing and public health nursing knowledge and proficiency through continuing education, staff meetings, workshops, and nursing committees.
Perform other duties as assigned.