The Wilson County Health Department (WCHD) is looking for a Public Health Nurse I to join our team! We're looking for a Registered Nurse with a passion for Public Health. This position will focus on post partum care and sickle cell, but will also provide nursing services in various other public health programs.
 
 Work location: 1801 Glendale Dr. NW Wilson, NC 27893, this position will be required to make home visits to program participants.
 
 Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm. There may also availability to utilize a flex scheduling option, hours vary depending on your flex needs. Rotation to provide clinical coverage of night clinics may be required. Hours may vary depending on departmental and emergency services. Extended hours or weekend hours may be requested or required for special events, such as programmatic needs, health fairs, special clinics, shelters, or follow-up of possible communicable disease outbreaks.
 
 Hiring Range: $54,480.-$70,000 Commensurate with education and experience.
 
 Type of employment: Full-time, non-exempt.Primary Duties:

• To provide nursing services through the various medical programs within the Department.
•  Interviews, counsels, assists, and treats patients in Maternity, Child Health, Family Planning, Adult Health, Primary Care, Immunization and Communicable Disease clinics.
• Coordinate and manage the Post-Partum Home Visits Program. 
  • Act as the primary contact person for the program. Having a strong partnership with the Hospital and the Wilson County Community Paramedic.
  • Schedule appointments to assess patients in their home after child birth and offer support to the family unit.
  • Serves as nursing consultant and resource person for activities an/or questions involving postpartum and newborn assessment programs within the Health Department. This includes answering all incoming calls from the community and other agencies relating to these programs.
  • Obtain delivery information by contacting the hospital at least three times per week. Collecting information pertinent from patient prior to home visit and serve as liaison between clients and physicians to ensure appropriate care is being given.
  • Make Post Partum and Well Child appointments in Family Planning and Child Health Clinics. 
  • Provide necessary education and resources to program participants.
  • Ensure that appropriate documentation and reporting forms are completed and visits are billed to Medicaid.
  • Other duties as necessary to ensure success of the program
•  Coordinate and Manage the Sickle Cell Programs for the Wilson County Health Department.
  •  Act as contact person for the program between Health Department, regional Sickle Cell Counselor, and the client to see that appointments are made when necessary and that additional blood work is obtained prior to Sickle Cell Counselor’s visit when required.
  • Actively communicate with other agencies including social services and other medical facilities to ensure that clients have access to transportation to and from medical facilities out of town.
  • Provide health education to new employees and other agencies that are unaware of the problems related with Sickle Cell Disease.
  • Serve as nursing resource person when questions arise related to the Sickle Cell Program, both from Health Department staff and from the general public.
  •  Coordinate counseling and follow-up by state Sickle Cell Counselor.
  • Also responsible for informing staff of state changes in the Sickle Cell Program and work out plans so that these changes can be incorporated into the individual program area. Responsible for the Sickle Cell manual.
  • Ensure that program policies, standing orders, and procedures are current and that any changes are incorporated into the manual.
  • Other duties as needed to ensure success of the program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of, and skill in, the application of nursing theory, principles, and techniques employed in the field of public health and related programs.
• Understanding of best practices, safety standards, and therapeutic outcomes related to the specific area(s) of practice.
• Working knowledge of current social and economic problems relating to public health, including health disparities.
• Working knowledge of available resources and organizations.
• Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions.
• Ability to work in partnership with patients and with other service providers to elicit needed information and to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to accurately record services rendered and to interpret and explain records, reports and medical instructions.
• Some ability to oversee the work of others.
• Adequate computer skills to allow communication, patient record documentation, accessing information.

Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing.
Necessary Special Qualifications - A current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Administering the Class - Individuals employed in a local Health Department without a B.S. Degree which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation or a Master’s in Public Health, will be required to complete the “Introduction to Principles and Practices of Public Health Nursing” course within one year of employment as a condition of continued employment in accordance with Health Services Commission Rule.It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.*NOTE* Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application before submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted. 
Additional Information: This posting must be open until January 29 2024 11:59am. However, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. After January 29, 2024, 11:59am, the position may close at any time.