Public Health - 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