Public Health Nurse

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Navasota, TX

15d • $4,522 - $6,150 • Onsite

About The Position

The Public Health Nurse plans and provides comprehensive public health essential services, case management, and population-based activities for assigned counties. The position serves as Team Leader for clinic staff, directing day-to-day essential public health services. It assesses population health status and factors affecting health promotion and disease prevention, helps coordinate data collection and analysis, and recommends and coordinates action strategies. Confidentiality is of utmost importance.

The nurse performs disease intervention functions that include case management, tuberculosis, HIV/STD, immunizations, and perinatal hepatitis B. The role uses computer systems to manage clinic services, inventory, and ordering, and an electronic health record to document patient and community outreach activities. It provides and monitors population-based family health services, including quality assurance, group health education, and leadership. The nurse also contributes to public health preparedness, including bioterrorism planning and all-hazards response, and interprets agency policies and philosophy to individuals, professionals, and community groups.

The position is based in Navasota, Texas, with another listed location in Brenham. Travel is up to 40%, generally during the workday, with a few overnight trips for trainings, conferences, or meetings; travel is reimbursed at state rates. The employee must provide transportation and may be required to work a flextime schedule that includes weekends and holidays, travel on short notice, or take an alternate/compressed schedule. After-hours call-out, including weekends and holidays, is required when vaccine-storage temperature excursions are reported. The employee must be able to use appropriate personal protective equipment, including frequent use of an N95 mask. The workplace is tobacco-free.

Requirements

• Current license from the Texas Board of Nursing or a compact state to practice as a Registered Nurse.
• Current healthcare provider cardiopulmonary resuscitation (basic life support) certification.
• Valid driver's license and proof of vehicle insurance coverage; employees must provide transportation.
• At least one year of experience providing health-related services in a clinical or field setting.
• Experience working with communities.
• Experience developing or providing health education presentations or training.
• Experience with computer software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and the internet.
• Knowledge of CDC tuberculosis treatment protocols and guidelines, including directly observed therapy, targeted screening for latent tuberculosis infection, and contact investigation.
• Knowledge of CDC STD treatment protocols and guidelines.
• Knowledge of American College of Immunization Practices recommendations for immunization use in routine or outbreak settings.
• Knowledge of professional nursing techniques, basic sciences, interviewing techniques, public health nursing principles and practices, family and group relationships, teaching methods, management techniques, basic strategic planning, public health systems, and health assessment tools.
• Skill in using computer data-entry systems, providing consultations, and communicating orally and in writing.
• Ability to plan, organize, and deliver training or educational presentations; perform general and public health nursing; establish effective working relationships; interpret laws, regulations, and policies related to health programs; and collaborate with community partners to promote population health.
• Ability to use appropriate PPE, including frequent use of an N95 mask.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of public-health-related experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform disease intervention functions in case management, tuberculosis, HIV/STD, immunizations, and perinatal hepatitis B.
• Use computer data-entry systems to manage clinic services, inventory, and ordering, and use the electronic health record to document patient and community outreach activities.
• Respond to after-hours vaccine storage temperature-excursion notifications, including weekends and holidays, and follow the vaccine contingency plan.
• Provide, promote, monitor, track, and review population-based family health services in assigned counties, including quality assurance, group health education, and leadership.
• Conduct public health preparedness functions, emphasizing bioterrorism response; participate in local community preparedness planning and directed all-hazards response.
• Interpret agency policies, functions, and philosophy to individuals, professionals, and community groups as assigned.
• Serve as Team Leader for clinic staff and direct day-to-day essential public health services for assigned counties.
• Participate in agency disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations (COOP) activities as needed, potentially on an alternate shift or at an alternate location.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Insurance coverage and other benefits through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).
• Travel reimbursement at state rates.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed