Public Health Nursing Director

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The job requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The County of Henry 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 those accommodations would present an undue hardship

Incumbent serves as Public Health Nursing Director for the Henry County Health Department, responsible for providing health education to patients, families, and the community, and assisting patients in obtaining medical treatment and health care and supervising Public Health Nursing staff.

DUTIES:

Oversees the day-to-day operations of the public health nursing division, including implementing policies and procedures, and ensuring division compliance with local, state, and federal health codes.

Supervises nursing personnel, including delegating work assignments, assisting in developing policies and procedures, and providing ongoing training and education to nursing personnel.

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

Investigates reports of communicable diseases according to state and Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, including interviewing patients, maintaining records, preparing reports, discussing with community organizations, and conducting follow-up interviews. Implements general preventive measures, making early identification of disease and providing care and supervision to reduce effects of disease.

Conducts community health screening clinics and outreach programs, including performing various tests such as vision, blood draws, sexually transmitted infections, blood pressure, blood sugars, pregnancy, lead poisoning, lice, and tuberculosis.

Promotes community education regarding various health topics by providing oral and printed information to patients and office and clinic visitors. Performs workshops and public speaking engagements and maintains contact with the media on health-related topics.

Supervises and provides nursing care in office and/or patient homes as referred by physicians and/or health agencies, including making physical assessments, providing information, making referrals and administering medications, injections and treatment as ordered.

Maintains current, accurate client records, and maintains statistics regarding Department nursing activities, such as surveillance, vaccine usage, disease investigations and home care. Compiles data, prepares and submits and distributes reports as required.

Conducts and maintains communicable disease and tuberculosis control and surveillance program. Performs tuberculosis tests in County jail for detainees and performs immunizations for county and city employees.

Identifies need for public health-related research and initiates, contributes to or participates in studies, as required.

Writes and applies for grant funds for various programs.

Prepares monthly progress report regarding nursing division activities.

Maintains inventory of vaccine and supplies, ordering as needed.

Performs the duties of other department personnel and assists with other department programs as needed.

Maintains current knowledge of medical practices, public health issues by reading professional publications, attending meetings and attending continuing education events.

Performs related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor Degree with two (2) years of experience, Master’s degree preferred.

Possession of and/or ability to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR and STD prevention counseling certifications.

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.

Ability to supervise assigned staff, including delegating work assignments, assisting in developing policies and procedures, and providing ongoing training and education to nursing personnel.

Ability to effectively examine and screen individuals, provide information, assess needs, and provide information, treatments, assistance, and referrals as appropriate.

Ability to properly use various medical equipment, including stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, glucometer, blood draw equipment, thermometer, and scale.

Ability to maintain inventory of vaccines and supplies, ordering as needed.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, state and local health agencies, other health care providers, community service organizations, media, school personnel, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to properly use standard office equipment, including computer, printer, telephone, copier, and facsimile.

Ability to operate various computer software, such as Microsoft Word, Power Point, Outlook, Excel, and other databases.

Ability to work on several tasks at the same time and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.

Ability to compute and calculate test results, prepare detailed records and reports, and maintain confidentiality of Department records and information.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain and follow oral and written instructions and work with other in a team environment.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department records and information according to State requirements.

Shall comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to respond swiftly, rationally, and decisively to emergency situations.

Ability to work extended evening and/or weekend hours as needed and travel out of town, occasionally overnight.

Possession of a valid driver’s license and demonstrated a 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 is responsible for the supervision of all members of staff, and is required to make non-routine decisions based upon general policies and guidelines. 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 primarily reviewed for compliance with Department policy and procedures and effect on Department goals and objectives.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, state and local health agencies, other health care providers, community service organizations, media, school personnel, and the public for a variety of purposes, including explaining information and rendering service.

Incumbent reports directly to Public Health Officer.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs majority of duties in a standard office environment, medical setting and at various residential sites, such as patient homes and institutions. Duties involve driving, sitting/standing for long periods, lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds, kneeling, crouching, bending, handling/fingering objects, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communications, keyboarding, and close vision. Incumbent is exposed to normal hazards associated with driving, such as adverse weather conditions, and normal hazards associated with public health nursing, such as communicable diseases and blood-borne pathogens, for which universal health precautions must be followed to ensure safety of self and others.

Incumbent is required to work extended, weekend and/or evening hours as needed, and travel out of town, occasionally sometimes overnight and required to respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.