JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for ensuring the provision of the defined public health programs services in a professional, coordinated, and collaborative manner; assisting in promoting the health and well-being of communities, families, and individuals in the County of Grand.  Under general supervision, performs comprehensive professional public health nursing services in a variety of office, clinic, and community settings.  Represents the department as a health resource person in community health organizations, programs, and activities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assess:

• Completes health assessments of clients, identifies health care needs, and takes actions to ensure the effective resolution of clients’ issues within the public scope of practice.
• Maintain records for patients/clients as required using the electronic health record system.
• Conducts surveillance for reportable communicable diseases among health care providers, hospitals, and laboratories using Epitrax.
• Assesses needs of individuals, groups, and the community.
• Provides case management and care coordination for clients in each program assigned.
• Routinely assesses program impact and effectiveness and provides analysis of needs and trends to the Director; assists Director in the identification of community health needs and the development of plans and community activities to effectively address these needs
• Provide support for oral health screenings for early childhood health education and outreach events.
• Performs immunization education & administration to adults, adolescents, children & infants.

Diagnose & Investigate:

• Initiates and conducts epidemiological investigations of reported communicable diseases of public health importance; follows guidelines set forth by the CDPHE.
• Collects lab specimens as needed for communicable disease surveillance and reproductive health clinic.
• Determines and implements the necessary control measures for all investigated communicable diseases following the guidelines contained in established protocols and references.
• Provides follow-up on reported cases of communicable disease, their contact, and others as necessary.

Educate:

• Identifies or develops public health educational materials and implements community health education activities.
• Educates and counsels individuals, families, and groups for the prevention of disease and disability, and for maintenance of health.
• Provides educational training sessions to the community, medical providers, and agency staff regarding public health issues.
• Prepares promotional materials and conducts presentations to improve community awareness of public health services.
• Provides professional leadership and training to other public health staff members on issues related to the area of specialty; develops and implements staff development plan for assigned program areas; assures cross-training activities.
• Contributes to preceptorship of professional nursing students as assigned.
• Participates in group teaching to client and community groups.

Mobilize community partnerships and solve health problems:

• Collaborates on projects with other county agencies, community agencies, non-profit organizations, and vendors to effectively serve the needs of the citizens.
• Serves as a resource to other community agencies.

Develop Policies:

• Coordinates employee health services as needed.
• Assists public health and collaborates with other community agencies in establishing policies for the improvement of public health in the community.
• Organizes, oversees, and participates in immunization and/or outbreak control clinics.
• Maintains adequate clinical supplies, biological supplies, medical equipment, and personal protective equipment.

Enforce laws and regulations:

• Ensures actions comply with state, federal, and county regulations.
• Takes an active role in emergency preparedness, participating in planning, exercising, preparing, and evaluating the effectiveness of activities.

Link people to health services and ensure services are available if unavailable:

• Provides public health nursing services involving public health program areas such as reproductive health, Women, Infants & Children’s Program (WIC), immunizations, communicable disease, education and outreach programs, and home care.
• Conducts health clinics, immunizations, and screenings; performs applicable laboratory work.
• Conducts nurse visits and administers treatments, vaccines, and medications per physician-provided standing orders independently or with provider oversight.

Maintain a competent workforce:

• Provides superior customer service to all clients, medical providers, internal staff, and the public.
• Attends conferences and workshops; reads current literature and attends formal continuing education courses.
• Maintains accurate and complete client files and records.
• Maintains confidential data and information.
• Ensures clients receive culturally appropriate communication and care.
• Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent injury.

Evaluate the effectiveness of programs:

• Prepares monthly and quarterly Statistics reports for each program managed.
• Prepares data for billings.
• Alerts the Director of Public Health of any changes in program utilization or reimbursement that vary from approved budgets and work plans.
• Researches for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems:
• Prepares grant applications and reports to funding sources.
• Develops innovative health prevention and intervention programs.
• Assists in creating and implementing specific public health programs, collaborating with other community agencies and/or writing grants.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.