Public Health Nurse – Department of Public Health and Environment

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

2d • $65,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Denver's Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) is dedicated to advancing Denver's environmental and public health goals. DDPHE works collaboratively with city, state and community partners to conduct education, community engagement, and enforcement to promote healthy people, healthy pets, and a sustainable environment. DDPHE oversees a number of services related to public health and the environment and is comprised of seven divisions: Division of Shared Services and Business Operations; Community & Behavioral Health; Public Health Investigations; Denver Animal Protection; the Office of Medical Examiner; Emergency Management and Medical Operations; and Environmental Quality. The Emergency Management and Medical Operations division within DDPHE has an opening for a Public Health Nurse. This position will support clinical health services including immunization program supporting childhood and adult vaccines; mobile public health services support to high-risk populations, including street medicine and field-based health assessments; sexual health services including STI testing and treatment in a mobile setting. We foster an inclusive culture by respecting the values, customs, and authenticity of everyone and by implementing equitable public health strategies so Denver communities can thrive.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) from a school accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
• One (1) year experience in nursing, public health nursing, or related community or clinical work
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification at the time of hire.
• Possession of a Colorado Registered Nurse license at time of appointment. Licensure in another state with endorsement may be accepted in lieu of this requirement, provided that the applicant has Colorado licensure by completion of probation.
• Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.

Nice To Haves

• Verbal and written fluency in a language other than English is preferred
• General knowledge of communicable diseases
• The ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient use of computers and basic software such as MS Word, Excel, & PowerPoint

Responsibilities

• Provides safe, effective, evidence-based patient care. Uses critical thinking skills, nursing expertise, and other relevant skills and knowledge to effectively provide care to patients.
• Perform direct patient care during home visits, clinic visits, or at other locations, including community clinics, fairs, and outreach events.
• Maintains specialty practice within nursing and public health. Encourages, promotes and protects the health of diverse populations.
• Collaborates with team members to provide resources and care/treatment options to patients. Refers individuals to higher level of care if needed.
• Maintains working knowledge of agency-wide and city-wide services and provides appropriate and necessary referrals as needed. Connect individuals to necessary personal health services.
• Maintains current and relevant knowledge and performs safe medication and medical supply use, storage, and handling.
• Completes all necessary training requirements.
• Applies agency and city policy and procedures to resolve issues. Solves problems of moderate scope where analysis and/or data requires a review of various factors. Exercises judgement and practices as needed and required to determine appropriate action.
• Takes action on behalf of individuals, families, systems and communities to protect or improve health status.
• Completes Public Health Nursing Orientation in timeframe decided with Nurse Manager, and based on prior experience and city/department priorities.
• Forms collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Utilizes data to help determine priorities. May assist in data collection, analysis.
• Supports a culture of teamwork, continuous-learning, growth, and collaboration; provides mentorship and professional support.
• Assess community needs and collaborate to develop program objectives, priorities, and policies.
• Regularly attends team, agency, and other meetings as required.
• Proficiently documents patient cases and complies with timely documentation standard.
• Along with all department staff, this position will actively participate on an emergency preparedness and response team to support DDPHE’s responsibilities outlined in the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. This may require being ‘on-call’ from time to time to help respond to emergencies. Additional training commensurate with assigned duties will be provided.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Collaborates with community members, including school personnel, childcare, and others to form partnerships and relationships to improve community health outcomes.
• Represents Denver Department of Public Health and Environment in the community.
• Interprets public health programs and policies to individuals, families, community groups, and others.
• Participates in the development of community planning, organization, education, and promotion of public health services through community outreach efforts and presenting public health education to individuals and community groups.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

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