As directed by the Director of Public Health Services and the TB/STD/HEPB Program RN-Case Manager, and under general supervision, the PH LVN – TSIP monitors, investigates and controls communicable diseases; investigates, immunizes, educates and conducts serological testing to prevent and/or stop the spread of disease and promote public health as part of the County’s Health Department. Specifically, this position provides support for the RN-Case Manager and clinic operations, assists in the diagnosis and treatment of clients in the TB, STD, and Perinatal Hepatitis B (PHB) programs. This position also serves in a bilingual English and Spanish interpreter/translator role (medical Spanish) for all programs in the Department.
This position will work in both the City of Angleton and City of Brazoria Clinic locations each week.

This is an essential duty position in relation to a designated Public Health Emergency and local disasters. During public health emergencies and local disasters, this position will be required to take on additional tasks and work additional hours to meet the needs of the community as it relates to the Health Department. In the event of a public health emergency, you shall report to work if ordered to do so by either of the following officials or positions: (1) District Attorney’s Office (Civil Division), (2) County Judge/Emergency Management Coordinator, (3) Commissioners’ Court liaison or a member of Commissioners’ Court, (4) Director of Public Health Services, or (5) PHEP Program Manager.
 
This is not a remote work position. Daily in-office attendance is required 8 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday. Some week- end and evening work may be required. During a public health emergency or local disaster, remote work could be required.
Hours:  8 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday, and additional hours as job requires.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
 
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. 


Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
GENERAL DUTIES

• Ensures client confidentiality as stated in HIPPA Privacy Notice.
• Under supervision of RN-Case Manager /physician: Assists clients with health care services, such as Tuberculosis (TB) control and medications, STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) clinics, Immunizations, and the Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program.
• Answers questions about all Health Department client-centered programs.
• Makes community referrals of patients to various health care programs.
• Performs data entry into automated records systems; retrieves information.
• Ensures clinic is well-stocked with necessary supplies; places orders with BCHD Administrative Coordinator for supplies.
• Maintains and records temperature for refrigerators and freezers.
• Attends seminars and meetings to ensure quality practices and keep current on necessary information and skills.
• Attends and participates in meetings and conferences as required.
• Cooperates fully with Department of State Health Services survey teams.
• May occasionally be required to work at other BCHD clinic locations.
• Performs related work as necessary and/or as assigned.
• During public health emergencies (and local disasters), will be required to take on additional tasks and work additional hours to meet the needs of the community as it relates to the Health Department.

 
 
TB DUTIES

• Assists RN-Case Manager with TB clients.
• Screens patients for tuberculosis; administers Tuberculin Skin Test; reports suspected cases.
• Facilitates testing (CXR, HIV, Liver function), prepares medical lab paperwork, mails lab specimens to appropriate facility for testing, and ensures results are received by physician.
• Under supervision of RN-Case Manager issues TB medications to patients needing refills on therapy treatments.
• Mails reminder letters to TB patients and letters regarding clients that are delinquent in picking up medication.
• Refers TB clients to WIC when applicable, such as pregnant women and women with children under the age of four.
• Administers medication therapy and documents current vital signs, weight and responses to therapy for TB patients.
• Conducts TB screenings for foreign-born students needing school clearance.
• Conducts TB screenings/completes TB worksheet for immigrants referred to BCHD.
• Performs medication toxicity assessments (including vision testing [Snellen, Ishihara]).
• Performs blood draw for Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) testing; interprets and provides results to physician and client.
• Maintains charts/all documentation related to TB care.

 
 
STD DUTIES

1. Assists RN-Case Manager in conducting the weekly STD clinic, in cooperation with other staff, to offer testing for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. This includes blood draws for HIV & Syphilis, assisting physician with collection of appropriate swabs for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia and coordinating delivery of all specimens to the appropriate lab for testing (including running blood tubes through centrifuge).
2. Maintains STD patient data charts and STD log at RN-Case Manager ’s request.
3. Under the supervision of the RN-Case Manager:
   • Prepares medical lab paperwork for STD patients and mails lab specimens to appropriate facility for testing.
   • Counsels/educates patients on sexual safety and contraceptive use.
   • Ensures receipt of lab results and communicates with patients about how they can obtain their results, as well as recommendations if results are positive.
   • Provides treatment for STDs (Bicillin IM and Rocephin IM) per MD orders.
   • Coordinates patient care with Galveston County Health Department.
   • Refers clients to other providers for additional services when needed.

 
 
IMMUNIZATION DUTIES

1. Educates patients about diseases and promotes health and the use of vaccines.
2. Presents information and responds to questions from health care professionals, patients, parents and the general public regarding clinic operations and vaccines.
3. Accesses online data for Immunization clients.
4. Completes immunization screening forms for clients, and updates medical information.
5. Performs basic patient assessments, patient education, administers vaccines and emergency protocols ensuring the safety of patients. 
   • Reviews patient vaccine records and charts for accuracy; 
   • Reviews and discusses history, allergies and previous adverse reactions to vaccines or medications, and researches records and obtains records from schools or doctor’s offices as necessary; 
   • Evaluates patient history including and especially allergies or previous adverse reactions to vaccines or medications to determine which vaccinations the patient should receive; Educates patients about the vaccines and possible side effects.
   • Examines the administration site; administers vaccinations; monitors patients for adverse reactions to vaccines; administers emergency protocols as needed ensuring the safety of patients.
   • Following department and DSHS protocols accurately documents vaccine administration.
6. Transports vaccines to other clinics on an emergency basis.

Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program DUTIES

• Assists RN-Case Manager with clients and cases as instructed.
• Call patients to ensure compliance with recommendations.
• Request medical records from OB/Pedi offices. 

Important Note: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position and is assigned by the supervisor. In addition, they are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:


Education, Experience and Training Guidelines:

High school diploma or equivalent and technical training in a state-approved school of vocational training; Texas licensure as a Vocational Nurse, and a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience in a hospital, school, clinic, or doctor’s office OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources. Bilingual: English and Spanish required.
 

Knowledge of, or, Ability to quickly learn:

• County government operations.
• Department policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.
• Healthcare-related support tasks including but not limited to: Document preparation/updating of forms, charts, files, etc.; client conversations for information gathering purposes; assisting RN-Case Manager and Doctor with patients; specimen collection; restocking medical supplies.
• Anatomy, pathophysiology and biology. 
• Texas Vaccines for Children Program.
• School and childcare facility immunization requirements. 
• Laboratory procedures and processes.
• Principles and practices of case management.
• Communicable diseases.
• Principles and practices of disease surveillance.
• Vaccine administration, treatment, and reactions.
• Principles and practices of effective customer service. 
• Records management principles and practices.
• Modern office procedures and systems and modern office equipment.

Skill in:

• Bilingual: English and Spanish, especially medical Spanish.
• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing (in-person, telephone, email, written correspondence, etc.)
• Using initiative, discretion and decision making within established procedures, guidelines and rules.
• Providing effective customer service.
• Ensuring strict patient confidentiality.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with clients, supervisors and co-workers, school nurses, physician’s offices, external public agencies and organizations, , and the general public. 
• Performing effectively under fast-paced and stressful working conditions.
• Multi-tasking, prioritizing and organizing.
• Problem-solving.
• Defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts and drawing valid conclusions.
• Performing basic mathematical calculations.
• Operating a personal computer and various software applications, as well as modern office equipment.
• Using/operating various medical equipment.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Texas licensure as a Vocational Nurse.
• Certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. 
• Texas Driver’s License.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work of this job is typically performed in an office work environment similar to that of a traditional medical office or medical clinic environment (health department office) and also involves field work outside the office which may be noisy and which may involve biohazards. Exposure to communicable diseases is possible.
 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the non-essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds. Exposure to communicable diseases is possible. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.