Registered Nurse - Public Health

Chippewa County•Wi 54729, WI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The RN – Public Health Nurse provides services for the Community Health Division within the Public Health Department. The role involves assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating public health nursing services for individual clients, families, public facilities, and populations. The primary goals are to prevent disease, promote healthy behaviors, and protect communities from threats to public health. This position aims to provide responsive, courteous, and efficient service to County residents and the general public. The current job opening is for the RN-Public Health Nurse.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a nursing program accredited by the National Professional Nursing Accrediting Organization is required.
Two (2) years full-time nursing experience, or the equivalent of four (4) years part-time nursing experience required.
Wisconsin Registered Nurse license required.
Knowledge of and experience applying community and public health nursing principles.
A valid driver’s license required.

Nice To Haves

Recent work experience in environmental and/or public health nursing preferred.
Valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification preferred.
A cell phone is recommended.
Associate’s degree within the nursing discipline with six (6) years full-time nursing experience, or the equivalent of part-time nursing experience required (for RN-Intake Nurse Only).
Bachelor’s degree from a nursing program accredited by the National Professional Nursing Accrediting Organization with two (2) years full-time nursing experience, or the equivalent of four (4) years part-time nursing experience preferred (for RN-Intake Nurse Only).

Responsibilities

Investigate reported suspected cases, or contacts of communicable diseases; assure correct disease follow up is provided to individuals and assess need for population-based interventions using epidemiologic methods.
Serve as resource person for other staff for the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS) system.
Conduct or facilitate the investigation of food and waterborne disease outbreaks including implementation of appropriate follow-up, following approved epidemiologic procedures.
Provide immunizations to prevent diseases within the community.
Monitor the clinical area and work with assigned support staff to assure appropriate functioning of vaccine storage units, clinic supply inventory, clinic workflow, and vaccine inventory.
Identify areas of concern, suggest improvements and work in conjunction with the Community Health Division Manager to assure safe and efficient clinic operations.
Assess needs of individuals and families, develop individualized plans to assist client/family in meeting identified needs, assure plan implementation through care coordination services, and participate in outcome evaluation of services provided in home, school, jail or clinic setting.
Complete investigations on rabid animal cases.
Educate on lead poisoning prevention and intervention program according to federal and state guidelines to families as needed in coordination with the Environmental Health Division.
Provide family-centered case management to community clients as well as those receiving Medicaid Prenatal Care Coordination (PNCC) services.
Coordinate with community care providers and outreach to potential clients to assure all clients receive appropriate, non-duplicated service.
Provide reproductive health services to clients of the department that follow current department, state, and CDC recommendations and policies.
Assist Nurse Practitioner in a reproductive health clinic as requested.
Provide School Nurse Consultation duties including consultation and education for schools regarding student health and health screening programs, and assist in the development and review of policies and procedures as requested and defined in the Memorandum of Understand (MOU) with each participating local school district.
Provide public health clinical experiences for students and interns as directed.
Assure public health staff readiness to respond to public health emergencies.
Complete assigned trainings for Incident Command Structure (ICS) job duties, demonstrating competencies of roles and responsibilities for assigned ICS position and participate in exercises and/or drills.
Collaborate with other agencies involved as determined based on the emergent situation.
Participate in department-wide preparedness activities and assists in public health emergency response as assigned.
Coordinate with Community Health Division Manager, Director and other assigned staff to assure preparedness plans are current and required activities are completed.
Facilitate required trainings in this area that are done within the Department.
Assist in the development of special projects as assigned; Coordinate projects to assure goals are addressed as assigned; Collect data and assist in analysis and outcome evaluation throughout all public health services and activities as appropriate.
Assist in the investigation of environmental health-related concerns or complaints as directed by the Community Health Division Manager.
Complete other assignments as directed by the Community Health Division Manager.
Evaluate own needs for professional development, especially in accordance with Public Health Competencies, and work with the Community Health Division Manager to develop a plan to meets those needs.
Attend training/ in-services as assigned by the Community Health Division Manager.
Follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state guidelines to assure evidence-based practice.
Identify and collect information regarding new evidence-based practices and share with Community Health Division Manager to incorporate into practice as appropriate.
Recommend improvements or changes of program procedures and guidelines to Community Health Division Manager.
Complete and submit timely reports and electronic and/or paper documentation according to agency policy utilizing databases such as Nightingale Notes.
Serve as resource person for other staff on documentation systems.
Support and participate in Public Health accreditation, re-accreditation, 140 review, annual report, and department strategic plan as assigned by manager.
Participate in department-wide performance management/quality improvement and strategic planning activities as assigned.
Complete other assignments as directed by Manager.
Provide health education, environmental health and education on other health issues to the public, schools, and community organizations in conjunction with other public health staff.
Work cooperatively other applicable county and state agencies coordinating public health activities as appropriate.
Provide or assure communication of culturally appropriate health education to individuals, schools, community groups, and the media based on identified needs.
Communicate effectively with community groups, partners, and inter-professional teams as assigned.
Coordinate with Community Health Division Manager for data collection and analysis for input relating to community health needs assessments and plans.
Collaborate in program and public health policy development through leadership/involvement with schools, community-based committees or boards as assigned.
Direct inquiries from the public for referrals to other programs/facilities.
Receive referrals via telephone, fax or in person assign to Public Health Nurses.
Communicate with the Community Health Division Manager for assistance with assigning if needed.
Manage inquiries from the public and professionals regarding concerns that they may have.
Forward inquiry to Community Health Division Manager if further guidance needed.
Educate and provide resources to the public and professionals that reach out to Public Health Department via telephone, email, or in person.
Schedule appointments for clinics as needed.
Look up immunization records in the Wisconsin Immunization Records (WIR).
Collect specimens from the public for testing.
Initiate shipping process and package specimen to be sent out for testing.
Head lice checks.
Conduct animal bite investigations.