Public Health Nurse
Job Summary: Under the direction of the Health Officer/Director the Public Health Nurse provides public health nursing services to individuals, families, and population groups. Nursing actions are directed toward the goals of prevention, assessment, risk reduction, and health status improvement for individuals, families and communities based on professional nursing and public health principles, concepts, and practices. Nursing activities include, but are not limited to, systematic analysis of health data, care plan development, health education and advocacy, coalition building, and collaborating with community partners to promote the health of a population. Public Health Nurses often collaborate and consult within multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams in order to achieve desirable outcomes for families and communities. Public Health Nursing interventions depend upon the responsibilities of the position and the issues involved.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under general supervision and/or as part of various workgroups and teams, the Public Health Nurse performs the following essential functions within the framework of Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department’s provision of the core functions and essential services of public health. The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.
Assessment
1. Monitor health status and understand health issues facing the community
Participate in the assessment of public health needs in the community through Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) activities.
2. Protect people from health problems and health hazards
Conduct immunization clinics, administer vaccines and provide client education concerning vaccines, influenza and other diseases
Conduct communicable disease investigation, surveillance, and control activities Policy Development
3. Give people the information they need to make healthy choices
Implement evidence-based health promotion programs in accordance with contracts or grants in the areas of maternal child health, preparedness, lead poisoning prevention, oral health, and others.
Present public health educational seminars to the general public and other community groups, including information on wellness and safety, communicable disease, immunizations, nutrition, preparedness and other health topics.
Act as a community and organizational resource person in health education and health department services
4. Engage the community to identify and solve health problems
Membership on community health groups and coalitions
Develop and maintain relationships with representatives from local human services agencies, health providers, and other community groups as necessary for health programming
5. Develop public health policies and plans
Develop strategies for intervention/prevention to improve the health status of the community
Research, plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based health education programs
Incorporate evidence-based practice and scientific research into health department services, programs, and activities
Assurance
6. Enforce public health law and regulations
Conduct epidemiological investigations and follow-up for communicable disease cases and outbreaks to determine source and prevent spread of infection
Analyze, update, document nursing activities and assure confidentiality of client records
Provide support services in animal bite prevention
7. Help people receive health services
As assigned by supervisor; perform school nursing duties
coordinate school nursing services to contracted schools
assist in health-related policy and procedure development and review
assess students/staff for health problems and make recommendations
provide health education for students/staff
coordinate health screenings for the district(s)
provide consultation and assistance on school committees
act as liaison for students with special health care needs
Perform public health nursing visits to clients and families
Assess client status, form care plans, provide health education and referrals, and perform various nursing tasks for clients and families
Promote department programs to the public
8. Maintain a competent public health workforce
Prepare reports on contract/grant activities and services, including to the WI Division of Public Health and internal performance management tool
Attend and participate in training opportunities that further build capacity and skills pertinent for public health nursing as outlined by the department’s workforce development plan
Represent the Health Department at designated meetings
Supervise student nurses’ activity within agency
9. Evaluate and improve programs
Evaluate effectiveness of health department programming through performance management techniques and quality improvement projects
Participate in the department’s strategic planning process
System Management
10. Contribute to and apply the evidence base of public health
Participate in local and statewide research projects as assigned
Actively participate in the local health department national accreditation process
Perform public health preparedness duties as assigned in the Public Health Emergency Response Plan
Work Requirements:
-B.S. in Nursing with requirements that meet HSS 139.
-B.S. with requirements that meet HSS 139.
-Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Wisconsin.
-CPR/AED Certification.
-Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License
Deadline Note: