Public Health Nurse - Immunization

POSITION: Public Health Nurse-Immunization

DEPARTMENT: Health

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F

STATUS: Full-time

FLSA STATUS: 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 Public Health Nurse-Immunization for Steuben County Health Department, responsible for providing clinical nursing services to prevent and treat infectious disease transmission within the community and to provide education and community referrals to assist clients in achieving optimal personal health.

DUTIES:

Plans, promotes, and implements immunization program, including giving immunizations, making physical assessments of patients, and maintaining computer and written client records.

Oversees weekly vaccine inventory audit of publicly funded and private purchase vaccines, including submission of results to Indiana Department of Health Immunization Division and vaccine supply reconciliation.

Investigates reports of communicable diseases according to state and Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, including interviewing patients, maintaining records, discussing with community organizations, and conducting follow-up interviews as assigned by the Public Health Nurse.

Conducts community health screening clinics, including blood pressure, blood sugars, pregnancy tests, lead, hearing, lice and tuberculosis. Promotes community education regarding various health topics by providing oral and printed information to patients and office or clinic visitors.

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.

Maintains current, accurate client records through data entry into the correct state database including, but not limited to, immunization records and TB skin tests.

Assists in maintaining inventory of vaccine and supplies. Places orders as needed, under the direct supervision of the Director of Public Health Nursing.

Conducts initial and follow-up home visits, including providing general lead education, gathering historical information, and providing information regarding blood lead level testing.

Conducts developmental assessments on lead poisoned children, including identifying delays, finding agencies to address needs, educating family members as to how they can assist, and ensuring Blood Lead Level follow-up appointments are scheduled.

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 Public Health Nurse.

Assists with community health projects, including health fairs and first aid stations at community events. Works with other public health agencies in providing improved service delivery.

Maintains current knowledge of medical practices and public health issues by reading professional publications and attending meetings and training seminars as required.

Performs duties of other Department personnel in their absence or as needed.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree or Associate of Science in Nursing and current Registered Nurse license, LPN, Paramedic license, or Certified Medical Assistant, with experience in public health or related area.

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

Ability to complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.

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, 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, 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.

• 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.

• RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent ensures proper implementation of public health programs according to technical specifications and standard practices of the profession. Incumbent works with minimum 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 and guidelines, and compliance with Department policies and procedures.

• 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 Health Officer, Administrator, and Chief Environmental Health Specialist.

• 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, sometimes overnight. Incumbent responds to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.