Clinical Services -Public Health Nurse

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE 

INFECTIOUS DISEASE & CASE MANAGEMENT - RN

Under the direction of the Clinical Services and Case Management Division Director, the Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management conducts a variety of health education, testing, screening and follow-up care programs throughout Allen County including assisting with Refugee Case Management, Communicable Disease investigations and follow-up, including outbreak investigations, performing testing, screening and follow-up healthcare/treatment services to clients in the Immunization and Clinical Services Division. The Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management investigates infectious disease cases, administers vaccinations and other health screenings to children and adults. This position is Covered as defined by The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen Employee Handbook.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for Case Management for all active tuberculosis cases in Allen County including interpretation and coordination of labs, medical and pharmacological care.
• Coordinates communicable disease investigations and TB contact investigations in accordance with applicable laws and regulations completing investigative paperwork, interviews with patients and reports to the Indiana State Department of Health.
• Prepares TB medication for patients on Directly Observed Therapy.
• Performs onsite and offsite infectious disease investigation in accordance with any communicable disease outbreak.
• Coordinates patient care with outside agencies and organizations, including Federally Qualified Health Clinics, Indigent clinics, Public Transportation systems and private providers.
• Assists with organizing, set-up, and participation in special immunization or infectious disease intervention clinics, including interviewing patients to ascertain health status and explaining precautions and reactions.  Prepares appropriate paperwork and forms for submission as required.
• Administers and reads TB skin tests.
• Answers all community phone calls regarding communicable diseases.
• Collaborates with Healthy Homes Division, Lead Case Management and Fall/Injury Risk Assessments in providing comprehensive multidisciplinary care.
• Coordinates and assists with various community health fairs and conducts training and in-service presentations.
• Responds to and participates in immediate community health nursing needs/events as required including mass prophylaxis clinics, outbreaks/pandemics, mass treatment sites, preparedness drills, etc.
• Compiles and prepares monthly, annual, and special reports as required by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Administration of the Health Department.
• Serves as a member of the smallpox response team and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate’s Degree in Nursing and one year previous nursing experience required.  Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred.
• Knowledge of Case Management skills
• Strong written and verbal skills, including public speaking
• Knowledge of accepted principles and practices of Public Health Nursing, with the ability to effectively examine and screen individuals, assess needs, and provide information, treatments, assistance, documentation and referrals
• Knowledge of public health laws, regulations, and related operations, methods, principals, and safety measures, with the ability to effectively evaluate and treat individuals accordingly
• Ability to effectively conduct field visits and resolve related emergencies and problems as situations demand
• Knowledge of health and social services available to Allen County residents, with the ability to facilitate referrals as appropriate and work as a liaison with community organizations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all Department records and information
• Ability to properly compile statistics, conduct a great deal of data entry and forms completion, and accurately prepare files, documents, and reports

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

The Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management provides clinical nursing services in accordance with generally applicable guidelines and established procedures and requirements, exercising judgment to effectively examine and evaluate individuals and provide information, treatment, assistance and/or referrals accordingly. The work involves a variety of nursing duties that include a broad range of individual situations of substantial intricacy and often requires careful consideration of complex circumstances and multiple variables.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management provides standardized practices when examining, educating, testing and treating individuals/patients.  Purposes and desired results are known with unusual problems discussed with the supervisor.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

The Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management maintains communication with other County employees, community partnerships and the general public regarding tuberculosis, communicable disease and lead poisoned children.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Public Health Nurse is exposed to health and physical concerns normally associated with public health nursing for the general public, including lifting up to forty pounds, bending, reaching over head, pushing/pulling loads, and kneeling with some exposure to temperature extremes, chemicals, noise and noxious odors/fumes.

SUPERVISION:

None

LICENSING:

• Indiana State Registered Nurse License in good standing
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification upon employment as required for all public health staff.
• CPR Certification.
• Tuberculosis skin testing certification within six months of employment
• Valid Driver’s License

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Clinical Services and Case Management Director

HOURS:

8:00 am – 4:30 pm and as needed with the ability to respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis as required

EEO CATEGORY:

0802

WORKERS’S COMP CODE:

8832

Salary : $35