Public Health Nurse

Hendricks County Government•Danville, IN

16h

About The Position

The Public Health Nurse promotes individual and population public health by providing the essential services of public health within a variety of settings. Public health nursing actions are directed toward serving individuals, families and population groups with the goal of promoting and protecting health through knowledge of professional nursing practice based on public health sciences, principles, and concepts.

Requirements

Must be able to maintain and hold a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Indiana
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for public health nursing preparation - if no BSN, graduation from an accredited school of nursing supplemented by a bachelor’s degree AND one or more years experience as a Registered Nurse
CPR certification within four months of employment and maintained thereafter
Tuberculosis (TB) certification upon employment and maintained thereafter
National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS-100-400, IS-700, IS 800 certification within one year of employment
Must have and maintain a valid Indiana Driver’s License, current certificate of vehicle insurance, and have use of a vehicle for full-time business use
Ability to work day, evening, and week-end hours as department programs require
Must be able to be fitted for and wear National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 95 mask
Comprehensive knowledge and skill in current nursing practices and public health sciences.
Ability to interpret and apply state and county regulations appropriately
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, clients, community groups, and other public and private agencies.
Ability to perform, provide and document public health services in a clinic, home, or institutional setting using the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation, with minimal direct supervision.
Ability to communicate well and interact professionally, humanely, tactfully, with dignity, both verbally and in writing; follows appropriate phone etiquette
Good conflict resolution skills
Good organizational skills
Good computer, smart phone, and mathematics skills
Basic data collection, analysis and interpretation techniques
Knowledge and use of computerized data management systems
Attention to detail
Ability to prioritize tasks
Ability to work in a team atmosphere
Ability to maintain confidentiality

Nice To Haves

Two years public health nursing experience preferred

Responsibilities

Interprets, implements, and enforces compliance of public health laws, codes, rules, and ordinances.
Prepares and administers medications per Health Officer’s standing orders for immunizations or as prescribed by patient’s physician, i.e. tuberculosis medications.
Conducts individual health assessment, provides patient education about potential side effects, and monitors for adverse reactions.
Assesses and translates immunization records to determine recommended vaccines.
Organizes and facilitates immunization, child health, and adult wellness clinics.
Demonstrates knowledge of vaccine storage and handling procedures, and stores vaccines per policy.
May be called upon to secure safety of vaccines during after hours power failures when notified that monitor alarm has been activated. If necessary, must transport vaccines to hospital for safe storage.
Performs epidemiological investigations of communicable diseases in the office setting, patient home, or medical facility.
Institutes disease outbreak control measures.
Coordinates investigation efforts with physicians, school personnel, the Indiana State Department of Health, and other stake holders as appropriate regarding spread and treatment of disease.
Provides health care services, instruction, education, and information to clients in compliance with public health laws.
Conducts contact investigations and surveillance of individuals who may have been exposed to a communicable disease.
Provides Tuberculosis (TB) case management in the office setting and in patient’s homes including directly observed therapy (DOT) of TB medications.
Provides follow-up, education, post exposure prophylaxis recommendation, and referral for all county residents receiving an animal bite.
Identifies public health needs in the county and works in a team environment to facilitate interventions and address the needs using concepts of prevention, assessment, risk reduction, and health status improvement.
Receives referrals and completes home visit assessments of clients’ needs and families’ ability to provide and maintain adequate care in the home, providing education and referrals as indicated.
Provides home visits and health assessments for pregnant women, children 0-5 years, elderly, physical and/or mentally challenged clients, and other individuals as assigned.
Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized health care plans for patients and families based on nursing assessment and includes input from the client, family, other health care personnel and referral agencies.
Provides education to individuals, families and groups in office or home setting regarding relevant public health needs and issues, i.e. prenatal care, parenting, breast feeding, nutrition, health care, safety, substance abuse, or communicable diseases.
Provides management and coordination of services through a multidisciplinary approach collaborating extensively with multiple community agencies for abnormal public health conditions.
Assists clients in obtaining health care through referral when the Health Department cannot meet their needs.
Complies with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements and health department policies and procedures ensuring that clinical documentation is kept secure and confidential.
Prepares, submits, and maintains accurate medical records and all other related or required reports and documents for programs and patient/client records, reporting to other agencies and physicians as appropriate.
Acts as a professional consultant, committee member, or guest speaker to outside agencies and public groups regarding health promotion, disease prevention, and various health related topics.
Serves as a preceptor for field experiences of Community Health Nursing students, volunteers, and new employees.
Conducts vision and hearing screenings in county schools.
Collects laboratory specimens and transports to laboratory.
Provides lead, hemoglobin and tuberculosis screenings.
Interprets laboratory and health screening findings for clients and families and makes referrals to appropriate community resources.
Serves as a liaison between the Health Department and county school nurses.
Performs duties and maintains documentation outlined in Health Department grants.
Promotes optimal working relationships within the agency as well as with other health, county and community related groups.
Recognizes, in a non-judgmental manner, the influence of beliefs and cultures on behaviors and accepts strengths and limitations in others.
Demonstrates leadership skills to set positive, attainable expectations, objectives and goals for self and others within the department.
Adheres to all agency infection control and safety policies, including education, reporting and practice implementation.
Knows and understands the department’s mission, vision, and values in relation to own job position and duties.
Possesses a general understanding of all services delivered by the Hendricks County Health Department.
Adheres to all agency policies and procedures.
Maintains and conserves agency property, supplies and equipment in a manner that demonstrates ownership and accountability.
Demonstrates knowledge of the core functions and the essential services of public health.
Demonstrates knowledge of emergency preparedness plans and the ability to perform the assigned duties.
Attends trainings as assigned such as workshops, seminars, and conferences regarding nursing, public health nursing, and certifications, i.e. CPR, TB.
Responsible for continuing education and personal professional development.
Maintains current, mandatory personnel file certificates and licenses, i.e. nursing license, TB certification, etc., and provides information to agency in timely manner.
Reports observed or suspected child or adult abuse pursuant to mandated requirements.