Public Health Nurse I/II Immunizations Program

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES Provides comprehensive professional services for individuals, families, and community groups in compliance with Tri-County Health Department policies and procedures, professional standards, and program protocols. Promotes the maintenance of health by providing nursing services and employing appropriate preventive treatment and rehabilitative measures.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS Supervision Received: Direct supervision is provided by a Nursing Program Coordinator.

Supervision Exercised: Will have lead accountability for employees in support positions which include: scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work, instructing/training in work methods, and providing input into hiring and performance evaluation processes.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This position is the journey-level job in the Public Health Nurse job series. The position is typically performed by fully functioning incumbents with preference given to candidates with 12 months experience in public or related clinical work. New graduate nurses are welcome to apply. The chosen candidate will routinely exercise professional judgment, and perform work independently with a minimum amount of supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Provides comprehensive public health nursing services for individuals, families, and the community in Immunizations, Core Nusing, and Disease Control programs.

Promotes the maintenance of health through teaching and counseling, conducting needs assessment and case management, providing direct client care and/or resource coordination, and employing appropriate preventive treatment and health maintenance measures.

Formulates and implements plans for nursing and general health care for individuals and families based upon evaluation of needs and a focus on meeting mutually accepted health goals and objectives. Delivers nursing services through clinics, home visits, case management, and community outreach programs.

Assists clients in finding resources to meet needs and makes referrals for services as appropriate.

Documents health history, assessments, goals and objectives, and care provided in compliance with department and program policy, procedure, and protocol.

Represents TCHD as a health resource person in the community. Interprets public health programs and policies to individuals, families, community groups, schools, physicians, and other collateral community agencies and service providers.

Collaborates with related community agencies and service providers through client referrals, written and verbal communications, and case/team conferences. Participates in the evaluation of community agencies and service providers and recommends the inclusion/exclusion of service providers for program collaboration.

Participates in the development of community planning, organization, education, and promotion of public health services through community outreach efforts including serving on community boards and committees and presenting public to individuals and community groups.

Participates in evaluating TCHD nursing programs and services through documentation, routine statistical reporting, and team conferences.

Assists in conducting epidemiological investigations related to disease control and infectious diseases. Conducts interviews of individuals and families, documents relevant information, and provides direct client care through administering and medications.

Conducts various needs assessment interviews, medical histories, and vitals measurements to determine appropriate health care measures or case management.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES May participate in student educational programs by providing demonstration, hands-on training, work review, and evaluation, and providing feedback to instructors and students.

Participates in the orientation of new staff members.

Performs related work as assigned or required.

HIPAA STATEMENT Maintain sensitive & confidential client information according to the HIPAA policy.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE DUTIES Employee responds, as required, to support public health emergencies, incidents and events. Employee participates in all exercises and drills on emergency preparedness and response, as required. Completes trainings identified as appropriate for this level employee.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Education and Experience: Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from a school accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. New graduates are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to candidates with applicable experience.

Some assignments require completion of an organized education program in a specific clinical or program area.

Special Qualifications:

Licensed to practice as a (RN) in the State of Colorado. Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge of:  Principles, practices, and objectives of professional and public health nursing.

 Scope and application of pertinent protocol, policy, and procedure.

 Inter-professional relationships utilized in program implementation.

 Tri-County Health Department services and community resources.

Ability to:  Apply consistently and appropriately the principles, techniques, and practices as they relate to nursing in a community public health program.

 Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Tri-County Health Department employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community.

 Provide professional and sensitive customer service to clients and public of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

 Assess client needs and recommend treatment and services as appropriate.

 Maintain sensitive & confidential client information according to the HIPAA policy.

 Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to exchange/present information/instruction to TCHD staff, clients, and the general public.

 Exercise independent judgment in making decisions and resolving problems and

issues impacting the health and welfare of clients and the general public.

 Have own transportation to go from one office to another several times per week during work hours.

Specific Job Duties Act as the lead clinic (charge nurse) for the Park Centre Immunization clinic. This position will be available to answer immunization questions of other nursing staff and clerical staff regarding policies, procedures, standing orders, and best practices for all immunization clinics in the Westminster office. On the job training will be provided.

Overall responsibility for the operation of immunizations clinics in the designated offices, and will make decisions in conjunction with the program coordinator regarding staffing, clinic flow, trouble shooting, and changes affecting these clinics.

May occasionally cover other clinic locations as needed when staffing shortages exist. Must be able to self-transport several times per day to other locations.

Recommend and be able to administer immunizations to infants, children, adolescents, and adults.

Help the program coordinator review and suggest revisions of immunization clinic standing orders, policies, and procedures.

Review and audit clinic charts for medication accuracy, complete documentation, and data entry into health record.

Complete inventory reviews as directed by the program coordinator, order vaccine as supplied diminish, transport vaccine to other clinic locations on occasion, be available off-hours for occasional vaccine transport due to emergency power failures, refrigerator malfunctions, etc.

EQUIPMENT USED Physical assessment and medical equipment including, but not limited to, blood pressure cuff, weight scales, stethoscope, thermometer, syringes/vaccines, blood borne pathogen kit, lab specimen kits, and oxygen tanks. Standard office equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer and associated hardware and software, telephone, copier, calculator, and fax.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Work is primarily conducted indoors with occasional travel to other TCHD locations or outside agencies to provide program services or attend meetings. Some program positions require frequent travel to client residences. In the course of traveling to and working in other locations may experience occasional exposure to noise, dust, solvents, fumes, smoke or gases, slippery/uneven walking surfaces, and sun. Continuously works closely with co-workers and clients, and occasionally works alone. Frequently

exposed to air/blood borne pathogens as a result of continuous contact with the public and children. May experience occasional threat of direct or indirect violence/conflict by angry or unstable clients or family members and work may involve occasional stress associated with angry clients, language or cultural variances.

1. Frequent light lifting/carrying of equipment/supplies and infants (under 15 lbs.), and occasional to frequent moderate lifting/carrying (15 – 49 lbs.) infants and small children.

2. Manual dexterity for administering shots, performing exams, and completing charts.

3. Frequent sitting and standing, occasional walking, bending/stooping, twisting, kneeling, and squatting.

4. Requires sufficient hearing and speech ability to communicate in person and via phone to respond to inquiries, and present information to individuals and groups.

5. Reading comprehension is necessary to understand client records and medical documents.

The Tri-County Health Department is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws and values that promote employee participation in the delivery of quality services to and on behalf of the community. Accordingly, the Department celebrates diversity in the workforce.

Salary: DOQ Employment Status: Full-Time, 40 hours per week Office Location: Westminster, CO Close Date: Open until filled