PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE – COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Communicable Diseases

The Public Health Nurse (PHN) – Communicable Disease and Childhood Lead-Poisoning Prevention is responsible for delivering equitable, quality education and healthcare both virtually and in-home settings. The Public Health Nurse provides clinical case management, health promotion and education, disease prevention, and health screening to clients across the lifespan on many prevention-based concerns. This position often works in close collaboration with community partners and assists with developing collective impact strategies to address community health. This position requires the ability to relate to diverse communities and be sensitive to cultural, ethnic, and economic differences among clients.

This position reports to the Public Health Nurse Supervisor – Communicable Diseases.

Kenosha County is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

2024 Hiring Range: $33.53 – $38.10 per hour

Position Summary and Job Duties
Communicable Disease Nursing Case Management
• Investigate, monitor, and provide case management services to individuals and groups with communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Assess health status and plan treatment regimens in coordination with medical provider
• Order tests and medications; monitor client response
• Maintain records related to treatment plan and ensure proper medication regimen is followed and documented per physician orders
• Develop and maintain therapeutic community and client relationships
• Provide home visits to clients for education, medication administration, and assessment
• Provide comprehensive case management to active tuberculosis clients by providing daily medication administration, symptom evaluation, and contact investigation follow ups, and by assuring isolation adherence
• Enforce communicable disease codes in accordance with state statutes and ordinances, health authority guidelines, and in consultation with the Health Officer

Childhood Lead-Poisoning Prevention Program
• Conduct home visits to child’s residence or other sites where the child spends significant amounts of time
• Complete assessment on home and identify factors that may impact the child’s blood lead level
• Provide education and lists of interventions to parent or caregiver
• Complete assessment on child’s health and developmental status; refer family to primary care provider and/or additional resources, as necessary
• Coordinate care with other members of the case management team, to include Environmental Health and Lead Programs
• Complete continuous evaluation required on case-by-case basis, as care plan may change

Nursing Services
• Perform initial intake assessment and conduct appropriate health screenings for clients
• Aid in the assessment, coordination, planning, and evaluation of care plans and treatment goals
• Research and refer clients for additional medical care and community services and resources, as needed
• Assist clients with enrolling in state assistance programs
• Research, investigate, and manage communicable diseases
• Adhere to the nursing process and the fidelity of model program(s)
• Ensure adherence and compliance to the policies and procedures of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regarding protected health information

Health Promotion and Community Health Improvement Initiatives
• Provide education and community awareness on behalf of Kenosha County Public Health while networking with other public and private community groups, coalitions, and organizations (i.e., health related agencies, courts, schools, etc.)
• Participate in the planning, development, and implementation of public health policies, procedures, programs, and services
• Collaborate with other public health programs and community organizations to strategically develop collective impact strategies
• Participate in off-site mobile health missions in a variety of capacities
• Assist with identifying, developing, and advancing public health interventions to improve social determinants of health and health equity in the community
• Provide gender-inclusive sexual and reproductive health care services to the community through education, disease prevention interventions, and anticipatory guidance counseling
• Participate in the prevention of STIs, HIV, and other communicable diseases through one-on-one counseling, group education, and community outreach
• Collaborate with other teams in Kenosha County Public Health to provide education including the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and Strategic Plan

Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting
• Utilize various information technology systems, including electronic medical records, internet databases, spreadsheets, and word processing programs, to collect data and maintain a consistent database of client information and session notes
• Provide analyzed statistical data at the county, state, and federal level to meet reporting requirements for public health programs
• Participate in ongoing community assessment which includes regular and systematic collection, assembly, and analysis of community health statistics to identify community health needs and emerging trends

Success Factors
Knowledge of:
• Principles and practices of professional nursing
• Health promotion and health prevention
• Population health practices and community health improvement
• Health equity, racial equity, and the social determinants of health
• Mental health conditions and treatment options
• Health education behavior change theories and use
• Cultural competency: supporting diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community

Skill in:
• Critical thinking, systems thinking, analytical and problem-solving, as well as sound judgement
• Strong oral communication for networking, interpersonal relationships, and effective presentations to a wide range of people
• Time management and prioritization
• Strong written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and proper documentation with minimal grammatical and syntax errors
• Use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Basic internet usage

Ability to:
• Work independently, making nursing decisions that are within the scope of practice
• Effectively interact with sensitivity with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
• Effectively work in a team environment that promotes customer satisfaction as well as independently to meet deadlines
• Remain professional and courteous at all times, especially in high pressure situations
• Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
• Engage, establish, and maintain collaborative partnerships with multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary staff, management, community partners, and the public
• Maintain confidentiality and serve the public with honesty and integrity
• Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
• Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization
• Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment

Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience
Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN)
• 1 year of nursing experience
• Registered Nurse (RN) license (include copy with application)
• CPR Certification within 90 days of hire (include copy with application, if applicable)

Preferred Education and Experience
• 1 – 2 years of nursing experience
• Experience caring for clients who are un- and under-insured
• Trauma Informed Care certified
• Bilingual proficiency (English and Spanish)
• Or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Other Job Requirements
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Access to a personal vehicle for use in the performance of the job
• Availability to perform occasional weekend and evening work as required
• Availability to perform other work as required or assigned including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations

Benefits
• Health, dental and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Twelve Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan: Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The position involves moderate physical demands, such as exerting between 25 and 50 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently

Selection Process
• Application Review – Qualifying
• Oral Interview – Qualifying
• Background Check – Qualifying
• Physical Examination/Drug Screen – Qualifying

If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.

To learn more about the Kenosha County Public Health, please visit: https://www.kenoshacounty.org/297/Public-Health

Applications must be submitted no later than Sunday, May 5, 2024. In addition to a resume, please provide a copy of your nursing license and CPR certification card where applicable.

Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer. Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.

The pay grade for this position is NE13 (Min. $33.53 – Max. $42.67 per hour).

This position is located in Kenosha County, a growing community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago. To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, visit: https://www.visitkenosha.com/

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!

Kenosha County is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.

https://www.kenoshacounty.org/jobs

Deadline Note: