Public Health Nurse

Protects the community from vaccine preventable disease by providing education and immunization services. Assesses the immunization status of clients, administers vaccines, and educates clients and community groups regarding disease prevention through immunization. Provides and administers vaccines to international travelers.The following functions represent the majority of the duties performed by the position, but is not meant to be all-inclusive or prevent other duties from being assigned when necessary:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (100% of Time):

1. Interviews clients to obtain appropriate history to determine the need for immunization.
2. Administers immunizations from clinic sites and mobile immunization vans in community according to Health Department protocols.
3. Maintains and performs daily/monthly quality assurance of inventory of biologics and supplies.
4. Provides clients with appropriate referrals to ensure that their health care needs are met.
5. Triages telephone calls from professionals and community regarding immunizations, vaccine safety, and vaccination requirements for international travel.
6. Evaluates, plans and implements an immunization care plan based upon the client’s preventative health needs for his/her family, community, school, work, travel, immigration, etc.
7. Performs infant screening, counseling, and follow-up per Tulsa Health Department (THD) Child Health/ Immunization guidelines and protocol.
8. Offers resource and direction to support staff, peer professionals and students in a team effort to maintain and/or improve quality of care in immunization services.
9. Utilizes immunization related computer programs, resource links, and THD record management system for accurate and confidential immunization/child health recordkeeping.
10. Participates in staff meetings, quality circle activities and appropriate in-service training.
11. Completes required training in support of duties and responsibilities of this position.
12. Other duties as assigned including those required to fulfill activities in support of public health emergency operations.

Education: 

• Associate degree in nursing required. 
• Baccalaureate degree in nursing preferred. 

Experience: 

• Two years of experience as a professional nurse preferred. 
• Previous nursing experience in pediatrics and/or immunizations preferred.

Licenses:

• Possession of a valid registered nurse license issued by the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing is required.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge and technical ability to administer injections to all age groups.
• Assess physical needs and good interpersonal skills in interaction with infants, children, adults, other staff and outside agencies.
• Knowledge and experience with Oklahoma State Immunization Information System (OSIIS) and related computer programs helpful.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred but not required.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

• Frequent internal contact with physicians, nurses and other departments to exchange information regarding client care, test results, and to discuss medical problems and treatment.
• Frequent external contact with clients to gather and provide health information, as well as advice and counseling.

PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Lifting and restraining children. May move or store supplies weighing no more than 25 pounds. Other physical effort includes stooping, bending, twisting, standing, sitting and squatting.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/ACCOUNTABILITY:
Direct Supervision – None.
Indirect Supervision – Student nurses.
Budget/Money/Material – Responsible for assigned equipment.
Reports to – Supervisor, Immunizations

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Occasional exposure to communicable diseases, combative and resistive children, and sticks from needles or lancets. Noisy work environment, close quarters and high volume clinic may lead to stressful conditions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must maintain THD record confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations.
• Must possess ability and willingness to perform job-related travel.
• Occasional evening or weekend working hours may be requested for special clinics.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary : $66,560