Public Health Nurse
Performs intermediate professional work providing primary, preventive, and rehabilitative care to individuals and families in Public Health programs, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Home Health and Hospice Supervisor.
On call work will be required.
Responsibilities:
- Demonstrate and implement techniques of nursing care and counsel for promotion of health and prevention of disease through outreach in homes and schools.
- Assist in data collection and review in any project they are associated with.
- Direct the work done during a clinic, assign tasks to lower-level staff appropriately, manage clinic flow, and advising other clinic staff about management of unfamiliar patient situations.
- Provide community outreach services by making home visits for the purpose of case management or any other nursing activity that involves functioning independently outside of the agency.
- Carry a caseload of patients and/or families and work in partnership with them to identify strengths and needs and develop a plan for health maintenance or improvement.
- Make referrals to medical facilities, social service agencies, etc. when needed and agreed on by the patient or family; take a lead role in coordinating all plans and resources for their clients.
- Work with considerable independence in a community-based health promotion project that involves developing programs or support groups, promoting community advocacy, and developing strong partnerships with residents.
- Serve as team leaders by coordinating the work assignments and quality of services delivered by a small team of lower-level nurses and sub-professionals that are part of a subgroup of a full project.
- Participate in program or agency-wide planning and quality assurance activities contributing observations or data related to patient or community trends or practices, ideas for improved program performance, and will participate in record audits and other program reviews.
- Participate in Public Health Preparedness activities as directed by agency management.
- Perform staff nursing duties in the event of a natural or induced disaster or in related practice drills.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in nursing (which includes a public health rotation) accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing and moderate experience in public health nursing, or equivalent combination of education
and experience.
Registered Nurses without a bachelor's or master's degree that included a public health nursing rotation will be required to complete the "Introduction to Principles and Practices of Public Health Nursing" course within one year of employment in accordance with the Health Service Commission Rule.