Details
 

08/20/2019

Public Health Nurse 2

Ross County Health District

POSITION INTRODUCTION

The Public Health Nurse 2 utilizes nursing and public health concepts to provide health promotion and disease prevention, control, and surveillance for individuals, families, facilities, and the community.  Participates in public health programs including communicable disease control, immunizations, community education, injury prevention, health screenings, and selected grant-sponsored programs.  Nursing actions are directed towards goals of prevention, assessment, investigation, case management, monitoring, and surveillance.  Upholds quality assurance, safety and other program initiatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree program in nursing with strong clinical, communication and presentation skills.  The ability to uphold standards related to HIPAA, OSHA and universal precautions. Must have an understanding of nursing scope of practice and delegation. Must have the ability to appropriately interact with a diverse population.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Active license as a Registered Nurse in Ohio in accordance with ORC 4723.12.
• Current CPR Certification.
• Valid Ohio Driver’s License, proof of insurance that meets required Board minimums, record of safe driving, and reliable transportation. Meets all prerequisite and on-going qualifications to be covered by the employer’s liability insurance carrier.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:

The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Computer with accompanying software and web-based programs
• Copier/Scanner/Fax
• Other Office Equipment
• Multi-line phone
• Department Vehicle
• Medical equipment (e.g. syringes, N-95 respirator, sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, etc.)
• Vaccine Storage and monitoring equipment
• Scales

Working Conditions While Performing Essential Functions:

General office setting in a health department facility; as well as in community sites.

The employee is exposed to, must negotiate, use, or work with or in the vicinity of chemical compounds found in an office environment (e.g. toner, correction fluid, etc.). The employee has regular contact with the public, including potentially violent or emotionally distraught individuals. Work performed in the community is sometimes subject to conditions that range from inclement weather to dangerous conditions such as snow/ice, cold, heat, noise, wetness/humidity, vibration, sudden temperature changes, and poor illumination at the job site or due to travel on the job. Travel to and from field locations may subject worker to increased risk of driving hazards. Community locations may subject worker to communicable diseases, insects and other disease vectors, toxins, hazardous materials, chemicals and animals. There will be routine exposure to blood, body fluids, and tissue. Work may require the wearing of personal protective equipment including an N-95 respirator.

REQUISITE PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDES:

The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Willingness to expand one’s knowledge base.
• Willingness to participate in workforce development.
• Willingness to participate in and/or lead agency wide initiatives, including but not limited to the pursuit of national accreditation and participation in times of public health emergencies.
• Willingness to assist clients independent of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and/or socioeconomic status.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

• Performs surveillance and control of Communicable Diseases:
• Investigates reports of infectious diseases both naturally occurring and bioterrorists incidents.
• Required reporting of infectious diseases.
• Interprets and implements local, state, and federal guidelines related to infectious disease.
• Monitors various infectious disease surveillance systems (i.e., epicenter anomalies, ODRS, etc.) for significant disease trends and early detection of emerging infectious diseases.
• Investigates, coordinates, and/or assists with all reported disease outbreaks or illness clusters.
• Collaborates with internal and external partners on special projects as assigned.
• Reviews, evaluates, and analyzes reportable infectious disease data monthly and annually, compiles monthly Infectious Disease Reports.
• Interprets surveillance data, collects health data from appropriate sources (e.g. case interviews, medical records, vital statistics records, laboratory reports, or pathology reports.
• Uses statistical software to analyze and characterize epidemiological data (e.g., Epi Info).
• Interprets findings from epidemiological studies, recommends control measures, prevention programs, or other public health interventions based on epidemiologic findings.
• Writes investigation reports regarding infectious disease or outbreak investigation.
• Writes surveillance reports, gives oral presentations using appropriate media.
• Collaboration with community partners.
• Collects specimens for testing.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with health professionals in the community Collaborates with laboratory personnel, infection control specialists and healthcare providers.
• Coordinates and provides clinical support in the Tuberculosis Control Clinic through direct nursing care (e.g., assists physician in clinic, Tb skin testing, direct observed therapy, collection of specimens). 
• Case Management of latent and active Tb cases.
• Performs contact investigations
• Assesses for, monitors and reports adverse reactions to treatment to the medical director.
• Provides public health nursing services (e.g. assessment, history taking, TB skin tests, immunizations, collection of patient specimens (e.g. urine, sputum, stool, blood), point of care testing or prepares specimen for submission to laboratory, health screenings.
• Provides public health nursing services in clinic, patient homes, schools and the community.
• Responds to vaccine emergencies.
• Participates in Quality Assurance activities and Quality Improvement initiatives. Participates on committees and/or in educational and research activities as needed.
• Plans, trains and responds to public health emergencies using principals of the Incident Command System (ICS). Participates in public health emergency response exercises. Completes appropriate training to ensure NIMS compliance as required.
• Ability to work irregular work schedule to include, but not limited to nights, weekends, and Holidays during public health emergencies.
• Coordinates and tracks screenings of home births for the Ohio Infant Screening Program.
• Keeps current with technological advances and workplace innovations that support job functions.
• Adheres to all Ross County Health District policies and procedures.
• Promotes health and maintains health of individuals and families in clinic and community.
• Assess, monitor, and evaluate the health of individuals and families.
• Provide information, resources, and referral services to persons contacting Ross County Health District.
• Develop and provide health education to individuals, families, and communities.
• Represents the Health District as requested by Director of Nursing at community coalitions, forums, meetings and work groups, etc.
• Demonstrates proficiency in technical skills in order to provide nursing care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.  
• Compiles and prepares reports for submission to the appropriate entity (i.e. Ohio Department of Health).
• Consults with school nurses, parents, health provider offices and community members on infectious diseases.
• Attends and participates in trainings, meetings, conferences, seminar and other job-related training sessions as necessary.
• Interacts effectively with other staff members.
• Seeks educational opportunities to increase skill and knowledge competencies.
• Assures program compliance with the agency’s records retention policy.
• Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA safety standards that pertain to essential functions.
• Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.
• Ability to work irregular hours, nights, week-ends and holidays during public health and vaccine emergencies.
• Responds to public health emergencies in accordance with response plans using the incident command system.
• Independently provides direct nursing care services to clients in home, community, and clinic setting.   

E.E.O.

Closing Date:  08-23-19

Send resumes to:  datchison@rosscountyhealth.com

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