PURPOSE OF POSITION: Public Health Nurses carry out the core functions and essential services of public health using knowledge from nursing, social and public health sciences to protect and promote the health of populations. This Public Health Nurse position will primarily work within a variety of programs including but not limited to, communicable disease, immunization and reproductive health with the Cudahy Health Department.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following are normal for the position but shall not be construed as exclusive or inclusive. Other related duties may be required and assigned.
Provides communicable disease prevention and control programs and services:
- Investigations and surveillance of reported communicable diseases.
- Provides immunizations.
- Collaborates on environmental health and human health hazard situations.
- Provides case management services to individuals and families by assessing individual and family physical, mental, and environmental needs, identifying appropriate resources and coordinate services with other community providers.
- Enforce State statutes, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Administrative Rules, and local ordinances for the protection of community public health.
Provides public health nursing programs and services to promote health and prevent diseases:
- Provides public health nursing expertise, education and oversight to assure safe and competent public health nursing practice for individuals and families through home, office or telephone visits.
- Plans, organizes and implements, public health programs and grant activities.
- Actively collaborates with community agencies, partners, and other health or governmental entities to advance health priorities and coordinate care for the community, families, and individuals.
- Develops and provides health education to community partners, organizations and individuals through programs and community outreach events.
- Serves as a public health resource by offering expertise, information, and guidance on various health issues and programs to healthcare providers, schools, community groups, and other related agencies.
Support organizational competencies and performance management:
- Documents all nursing activities in electronic health record. Maintain health records in confidential manner.
- Participates in staff development programs and ongoing education to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of public health issues, reproductive health and current nursing best practices
- Participate in emergency preparedness planning, response, and recovery.
- Monitors and evaluates health data and trends.
- Actively participates and applies quality improvement principles to address current and emerging health needs.
- Assists with the development and implementation of strategies to increase integration of health equity into department programs and services.
- Assists on a 24/7 basis in response to public health emergencies.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education/Certification/Licensure/Experience Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program
- Current licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Wisconsin.
- Current State of Wisconsin driver’s license.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to write plans, technical reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals with excellent grammar, punctuation and syntax for the appropriate audience.
Preferred Requirements:
- Previous experience in Public Health or Reproductive/Sexual Health experience.
- Communicable disease or family planning experience.
- CPR certification.
- Bilingual in Spanish or Arabic.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of the theory, techniques, practices and standards of professional nursing.
- Knowledge of public health programs including nursing, environmental health, communicable disease
- Knowledge of legal environment and constraints associated with the provision of public health services.
- Ability to function independently and make decisions based on public health regulations and requirements.
- Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
- Effective oral and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to understand and consistently follow directions based on health department policies and procedures.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, community groups and state and regional public health agencies.
- Ability to use standard office equipment, i.e., personal computers and related software.
- Ability to prioritize projects and time.
- Skill in the administration of immunizations and the use of screening equipment.
- Ability to work flexible hours and/or days.
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific journals and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients, regulatory agencies, or members of the public. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or elected officials.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to read and understand statistical materials. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required
to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to contagious diseases and to toxic or caustic chemicals and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
EQUIPMENT USED:
General medical equipment, such as stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, otoscope, audiometer, first aid equipment, syringes, bandages, etc; computer, copy machine, telephone, fax machine, cell phone.
MEDICAL:
Applicants may be required to submit to a medical examination prior to appointment consistent with requirements of the position, at the discretion of the Director of Human Resources.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Wages and benefits are determined by the current non represented resolution in effect.
BACKGROUND:
All appointees may be fingerprinted and a record check made of local, state or federal authorities. A conviction is not an automatic bar to employment.