Family Recovery Nurse I/II

What Success Looks Like In This Job

The Adams County Health Department (ACHD) Nursing Division provides services through programs including Nurse Family Partnership, Nurse Support Program, Harm Reduction, Sexual Health, Immunizations, Child Maltreatment and Fatality Prevention, and Care Coordination for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. The division includes clinical support staff, medical assistants, harm reduction specialists, operational staff, nurses, advanced practice nurses, and midwives who deliver services in clinical, community, and home-based settings.

Public health nursing at ACHD focuses on disease prevention, health promotion, and improving access to care within the community. Services are delivered in partnership with community organizations and healthcare providers and may occur in a variety of settings to meet community needs.

This position may be filled at the Public Health Nurse I (entry level) or Public Health Nurse II level depending on qualifications and experience. Both levels perform similar core functions, with the Nurse II expected to demonstrate greater independence in care coordination, consultation, and program collaboration.

The Family Recovery Public Health Nurse supports individuals and families experiencing substance use and behavioral health challenges, particularly those who are pregnant or parenting. This position works collaboratively with ACHD programs and community partners to coordinate services, improve access to treatment and support, and reduce the impacts of substance use on families and children.

Primary areas of responsibility include:

• Provide care coordination and consultation for pregnant and/or parenting individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) or those impacted by SUD who are enrolled in ACHD programs.
• Provide care coordination and consultation for pregnant and/or parenting individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges that increase the risk of developing or escalating substance use disorder.
• Support families served through ACHD programs, including those working with children and youth (ages 0–21) with special health care needs who are experiencing substance use challenges or related behavioral health risks.
• Coordinate with Adams County Human Services and community partners—including behavioral health providers, substance use treatment programs, schools, hospitals, and clinics—to facilitate access to services and treatment options.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case consultations with ACHD programs supporting individuals and families experiencing substance use or behavioral health challenges.
• Support prevention strategies, including participation in policy and systems-level efforts aimed at addressing barriers to care and reducing the impacts of substance use on families, including risks related to child morbidity and fatality.

Examples of Duties for Success

• Engagement of families -develops a strong, cooperative working relationship with families.
• Collaborate with ACHD referring programs to assesses family’s needs, including issues/concerns of domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect, unmet medical/educational needs, mental health issues, environmental conditions, and caretaker's capacity to parent, provide for, and protect children.
• Recognize and respond to the diversity of families, in terms of structure, culture, race, religion, economic status, beliefs, values and lifestyles.
• Develops mutually agreed upon client goals and reports and monitor progress of such.
• Connects families with complex specialized therapeutic treatment and services.
• Conducts telehealth, community, or in-home visits with family, either in conjunction with program visits or individually as needed.
• Collaborates with community agencies such as schools, mental health systems, probation, diversion, the medical community, police agencies, substance abuse treatment providers and extended family members to provide coordinated services to families.
• Collaborates with ACHD divisions and programs to identify gaps in staff education, knowledge, and practice to facilitate training opportunities.
• Models respectful, professional behavior at all times.
• May be involved with various work groups/committees including but not limited to EHR, DEI, Division, or agency focused activities.
• Meets expected goals and outcomes.
Performs related work as required.

• Completes trainings identified as appropriate for this level employee.
• Employees respond, as required, to support public health emergencies, incidents, and events.
Employees participate in all exercises and drills. This may require evening, weekend, and occasional on-call duties including but not limited to work outside of your normal duties.

• Assist in the orientation and training of new employees, students, and volunteers.
• Participate in quality improvement projects.
• Maintain electronic health record (EHR) proficiency and skills as necessary for daily duties.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications for Success

Commitment to Equity:

• Integrates Health Equity into all areas of work.
• Creates and maintains partnerships and processes that support and integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of Adams County Health Department work.
• Prioritizes transparency and supports a no wrong door culture.

• Possess strong foundation of knowledge in field of practice with demonstratable experience in working with individuals and families experiencing behavioral health and substance use challenges.

• Understanding of Population Health: Public health professionals think beyond individual patients and consider the health of entire communities. They understand how social determinants of health, like poverty and access to education, influence health outcomes.
• Epidemiology and Data Analysis: These professionals are familiar with how diseases spread in populations and can analyze data to identify health trends and areas of concern.

• Patient Education: They excel at explaining complex medical information in a clear and understandable way to people from diverse backgrounds.

• Must demonstrate proficiency in using personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Computer use including internet, email, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Audio-visual and other teaching equipment.
• Healthcare equipment.
• Must be able to learn and become proficient with equipment and software programs as required to perform assigned duties effectively and efficiently.

More Qualifications for Success

Public Health Nurse I
Experience:

• 3 years of nursing experience is preferred, ideally in adult, pediatric, or community-based services.
• Clinical rotation hours, internships, and volunteer hours completed as part of an accredited nursing program may count as qualifying experience.

• Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited program is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is preferred and will substitute 2 years’ professional experience.

• Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited program is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) from a program accredited by NLNAC or AACN is preferred and will substitute 2 years’ required professional nursing experience.

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Colorado or a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Licensure must be maintained throughout employment.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

• Spanish-speaking ability is preferred. Adams County Health Department provides additional compensation for employees who demonstrate bilingual proficiency.
• Ability to practice at the full scope of licensure as a Registered Nurse.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required to support community events, meetings, and outreach activities.
• Travel within the community and occasional evening, weekend, or on-call duties may be required.

Adams County and the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office complies with Colorado’s Job Application Fairness Act (“JAFA”). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.