POSITION: Public Health Nurse-Community Health/STI

DEPARTMENT: Health

WORK SCHEDULE: As assigned

STATUS: Part-time

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Steuben County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless the accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Part-time Public Health Nurse-Community Health/STI for Steuben County Health Department, responsible for providing timely clinical nursing services to prevent and treat infectious disease transmission within the community, interacting with community medical providers, and providing education and community referrals to assist clients in achieving optimal personal health.

DUTIES :

Conducts sexually transmitted diseases (STD) exams, including, but not limited to, taking health history, collecting specimen, performing blood draw, recommending treatment per protocol, and providing Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing and education for HIV/STD Prevention Division clients.

Performs field testing, including finger sticks, venipuncture, and transporting specimens. Maintains proper chain of custody

Investigates sexually transmitted infection (STI) reports and performs related casework.

Collects specimens and performs associated tasks during patient visits.

Provides educational and risk reduction behavioral information.

Obtains contact information for active disease intervention or sex partner notification.

Assists with organizing, scheduling and carrying out community outreach for mobile and off-site clinics, community outreach educational programs, and community health screenings on a weekly basis. Drives and maintains mobile unit supplies and readiness for outreach events.

Participates in communicable disease control activities, including implementing general preventive measures, making early identification of disease, and providing care and supervision to reduce effects of disease under the direct supervision of the Director of Public Health Nursing.

Provides medical care not beyond the incumbent’s scope of practice in office ant patient homes as referred by physicians or health agencies, including making physical assessments, providing information, and making referrals and administering medications, injections and treatment as ordered under the direct supervision of the Director of Public Health Nursing.

Prepares patient charts for upcoming clinical and outreach appointments.

Maintains current, accurate patient records through data entry into the correct electronic medical record systems (EMR), including, but not limited to, immunization records, TB results, and diagnostic results.

Responds to telephone calls and questions from the public, including scheduling appointments, making referrals, counseling, and providing other health-related information through collaboration with and as delegated by the Director of Public Health Nursing.

Performs duties as needed in other nursing programs to provide immunizations, and related communicable disease prevention services.

Performs related duties as assigned.

**I. JOB REQUIREMENTS : **

Current Indiana Registered Nurse license or LPN in good standing, with experience in public health.

Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain required certifications or licenses, including Tuberculosis (TB) skin testing within three months of employment, CDC STD Clinical Intensive Training within six months of employment, National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification upon employment, and CPR Certification.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of public health laws, programs and sciences, and accepted principles and practices of public health administration.

Thorough knowledge of standard immunization practices, procedures and potential complications, with ability to effectively administer injections, supervise clinics, maintain appropriate schedules and resolve problems as needed.

Working knowledge and experience with culturally and economically diverse population, genders, and ethnicities, including gay, bisexual, transgender populations, people living with chronic disease, substance users, and persons with mental health diagnosis.

Working knowledge of health and social services available to County residents, and ability to coordinate services and facilitate referrals as appropriate.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare detailed reports.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, state and local health agencies, medical personnel, community service organizations, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Shall comply with employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to provide public access to, or maintain confidentiality of, Department information and records according to HIPAA, state, and Department requirements and policies.

Ability to effectively examine and screen individuals, assess needs, and provide information, treatments, assistance and referrals as appropriate.

Ability to collect, record, and calculate test results, prepare and maintain accurate Department documents and reports, and make related arithmetic calculations.

Ability to use appropriate universal health and safety precautions to avoid contamination in high-risk environments, including proper use of protective clothing and equipment.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to physically perform essential duties of the position.

Ability to be cross trained as needed in other nursing programs to provide immunizations, and related communicable disease prevention services.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, often under time pressures, and work on several tasks at the same time.

Ability to properly use various medical equipment, including stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, thermometer, microscope, and scale.

Ability to properly operate standard office, including computer, printer, scanner, copier, telephone, and calculator.

Ability to occasionally work extended, evening, and weekend hours, and travel out of town for meetings and training, sometimes overnight.

Ability to respond to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis. Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

** II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK** :

Incumbent's duties are broad in scope, involving many variables or considerations with interrelationships difficult to ascertain. Incumbent performs according to well-established standard practices of the profession and standard Department policies and procedures. Incumbent exercises independent judgment in effectively examining, screening and assessing individual needs, and providing information, counseling, assistance, and referrals.

** III. RESPONSIBILITY** :

Incumbent ensures proper implementation of public health programs according to technical specifications and standard practices of the profession. Incumbent works with moderate supervision, referring to supervisor any unusual and/or unprecedented situations, such as circumstances not covered by existing policies and procedures, adverse reactions to immunizations, and non-compliance of clients. Work is periodically reviewed for soundness of judgment, adherence to instructions/guidelines, and compliance with Department policies and procedures.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, state and local health agencies, medical personnel, community service organizations, and the public, for the purposes of exchanging information, controlling and monitoring communicable diseases, and providing educational programs and referrals.

Incumbent reports directly to Director of Public Health Nursing and receives indirect supervision from Administrator and Health Officer.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Incumbent performs duties in a variety of settings, including a standard office environment, medical settings, patient homes, and institutions, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting/standing for long periods, driving, crouching/kneeling, bending, reaching, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling objects weighing up to 25 pounds, close/far vision, color/depth perception, keyboarding, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication, and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent is exposed to normal hazards associated with driving, such as adverse weather conditions, and with public health nursing and medical care, such as communicable diseases and blood-borne pathogens, for which universal health precautions must be followed to ensure safety of self and others. Incumbent may encounter irate/hostile individuals.

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended, evening, and weekend hours, and travel out of town for meetings and training, sometimes overnight. Incumbent responds to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.