ACCESS TO CARE - PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

La Crosse County • La Crosse, WI

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a professional nursing position in the Health Department in Public Health Nursing. Employees are appointed by the Public Health Nursing Manager with approval of the County Health Director, and work within medically approved guidelines beginning with close supervision during probation and then general supervision. Employees may work independently to perform assigned tasks in caring for patients and providing preventative nursing care.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of professional nursing techniques, current Nurse Practice Act and related WI State Statutes and Administrative Code.
• General knowledge of community health nursing: communicable disease, childhood lead, public health preparedness and the ability to provide immunizations.
• General knowledge of community resources and their roles and functions.
• Ability to work and communicate with patients of a variety of socio-economic levels and to provide culturally competent care.
• Ability to follow precise oral and written medical instructions and complete charting paperwork accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, effectively prioritizes responsibilities, and makes sound nursing judgments.
• Requires Bachelor's Degree from an accredited nursing program.
• Current Wisconsin Registered Nurse license.
• Possess a valid driver's license and access to personal transportation (or access to other reliable means of transportation for county-wide travel) and carry indicated insurance on the automobile.
• Proficient in computer skills for charting, tracking and reporting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in maternal child health, immunizations, communicable disease investigation, coalition building, and program management.
• Work or internship experience in a community health or governmental public health setting.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to assessments of community health status and factors influencing health in a community; participates in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining and disseminating community health-related data and information; assesses needs pertinent to the health of individuals, families, populations or communities; makes evidence-based decisions using data; applies ethical principles on the use of data; advocate for the use of evidence.
• Participates in response efforts to identify, prevent, minimize, and contain adverse health events and conditions resulting from communicable diseases; food, water and vector-borne outbreaks; chronic diseases; environmental hazards; injuries; and health disparities.
• Makes presentations to community, academic groups or policy makers (ie-HHS Board) on public health related issues.
• Collaborates with other community partners in the planning and implementation of evidence-based public health programs; participates in and at times leads local and regional coalition efforts; assists with research, data collection, writing and evaluation of contracts and grants; works effectively within a team structure.
• Contributes to development and implementation of policies, programs and services, including program goals and objectives; collaborates in the development of evidence-based public health nursing practices and programs in collaboration with community and state partners (ie-universities, businesses); engages with creation and implementation of the organizational Strategic Plan and Community Health Improvement Plan; identifies current trends affecting the health of a community; gathers information that can inform options for policies, programs and services and describes their implications.
• Adheres to applicable guidance from the state and federal health departments relating to environmental health, immunizations and control of communicable diseases, including enforcement of isolation and quarantine measures; adheres to applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, such as those concerning exposure to blood borne pathogens, toxic substances, airborne pathogens or exposure to other hazards during routine assignments or during public health emergencies; coordinates activities among and between other governmental agencies that enforce laws and regulations that protect the public’s health.
• Promotes and provides population-based health services; sets up and operates public health nursing clinics (ie-foot care, immunizations, cholesterol/diabetes screening, and fluoride varnish application); works with and at times provides program management for programs such as Communicable Disease, Immunizations, Lead, Maternal Child Health, Oral Health, Preparedness, Tuberculosis, and the Wisconsin Well Woman Program; travels to patients' homes to provide nursing care, client evaluation, referral and case management; arranges and participates in multi-disciplinary meetings or medical appointments as indicated for the individual, family or group; advocates on behalf of vulnerable individuals and populations; participates in assessing and evaluating health care services to ensure people are informed of available health department and community programs and services and are assisted in the utilization of those services.
• Provides leadership in the orientation and guidance of new staff members, volunteers and students; assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing education and participating in professional committees and work groups; understands the diversity of La Crosse County residents; recognizes the influence of diversity in policies, programs and services; incorporate ethical standards of practice into all interactions.
• Assesses the effects of and evaluates policies, programs, and nursing services and makes recommendations for program enhancements; participates in Quality Improvement projects and uses Performance Management system to improve Department processes and impacts; uses public health sciences for policies, programs, services and research; collaborates in community-based participatory research.
• Participates in the identifying and sharing of best practices; collaborates with community partners to identify innovative solutions to health problems.
• In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful with the public and clients; establishes and maintains courteous, cooperative and respectful relationship with other employees/supervisors, community partners and public officials.
• Employee is expected to report to work when scheduled, with minimum use of sick leave, to build up sick leave balance for income protection for unexpected illness.
• The normal work week's hours may be modified to include evening, weekend and holiday rotations as needed for communicable disease case management, emergency preparedness response activities, or to meet other urgent needs in service of protecting the public.

Benefits

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS): A top-rated pension program.
• Affordable Insurance Premiums: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick, and 10+ paid holidays annually.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible schedules and wellness programs.

What This Job Offers

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