Public Health Nurse I/II/III - Mercy Clinic

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to provide professional public health nursing services in the field and at clinics; to conduct medical care and treatment clinics in association with the following service programs: Immunizations, Tuberculosis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Family Planning, COACH, Refugee, and related nursing work.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Public Health Nurse I exercises no supervision.  Public Health Nurse II exercises functional supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff.  Public Health Nurse III may exercise direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Provide professional public health nursing services in settings associated with public health, such as, on-site clinics, health fairs, special events and off-site clinics; demonstrate nursing care that may be safely assumed by others.

Assist individuals and families in carrying out recommendations made by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner and in making necessary adaptations so that the treatment requirements may be followed.

Participate in the planning and operation of a public health clinic; interview patients; give prescribed medications, treatments and immunizations; record data; make referrals; participate in coordinating total services in the best interest of the patient.          

Provide professional nursing services in specialized public health clinics and services including tuberculosis, family planning, sexually transmitted diseases, immunizations, Texas Health Steps, pregnancy tests, screening for blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose and related nursing work.

Maintain appropriate individual records documenting medical and social history; assessments; education and counseling; immunizations and patient care including treatments and medications (provided or administered), utilizing electronic medical records.  Also, accurately complete appropriate lab requests, utilizing electronic medical records or paper request forms.

Prepare patients for and conduct a variety of medical and diagnostic tests including, blood tests, urine samples, blood pressure, height, weight, and pelvic examinations (PHNII/III).

Confer with parents, physicians, dentists, school personnel and other groups to present, promote and conduct selected classes or discussions relating to public health methods and procedures for the community for healthy living.

Conduct field interviews and assessments with patients as needed.

Emergency response related to Public Health events is required. Including but not limited to natural disasters, emergency shelters and pandemic response.

Public Health Nurse II

Coordinate daily clinic operations of the STD clinic under direction of overseeing physicians.

Physical assessment including pelvic exams after appropriate training and assessment for evaluation and treatment of STD.

Public Health Nurse III

Develop appropriate schedules and assign daily work duties; direct and oversee the activities of the daily clinic operations.

Organize work appointments and distribute according to established policies.

Provide nursing services that meet standards of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Health and Human Services and those of the nursing profession with respect to proper treatment and ethical conduct.

Provide supervision for teams of nurses and other personnel in the provision of personal health services.

Evaluate subordinate nursing personnel; prepare proper documentation of annual performance appraisals.

Keep time records of subordinates; schedule leave in conjunction with the Nursing Program Manager.

Participate in the orientation of new employees; evaluate progress, nursing skills, and record maintenance.

Counsel subordinates and the public concerning complaints; answer questions concerning services provided by subordinates.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Medical terminology and approved abbreviations.

Principles of public health nursing and the application of these principles in settings for patient care including: on-site clinics, off-site clinics, health fairs and special events.

Specific diagnostic and testing procedures.

Anatomy and physiology.

Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to:

Use a variety of medical equipment including, audiometer, scale, measuring board, fetal doppler, fetoscope, examination table, syringe, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, gooseneck lamp, speculum, and thermometer.

Operate office equipment including: computer, printer, fax, phone, copier, adding machine, calculator and scanner.

Safely operate a motor vehicle.

 Ability to:

Perform health assessments.

Perform CPR and operate AED.

Educate and counsel patients regarding doctor’s orders for prescribed medications, treatments, immunizations and health behaviors within standardized policy and procedures.

Perform physical examinations, draw blood, collect lab specimens, administer medications, immunizations, treatments, and perform other nursing services as required.

Readily grasp the principles underlying the disease preventive aspects of a public health program.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect. 

Public Health Nurse II and III

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.  Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience:

Public Health Nurse I

This is an entry-level position.

Public Health Nurse II

Two (2) to five (5) years of experience in professional nursing care as a registered nurse is required.

Public or community health experience preferred.

Public Health Nurse III

Five (5) years of experience in professional nursing care as a registered nurse is required.

Two (2) years of public or community health with two years of supervisory experience preferred.      

Education/Training:

Public Health Nurse I

Graduation from an accredited college or university of nursing with a diploma in nursing or an associate degree in nursing is required.

Public Health Nurse II

Graduation from an accredited college or university of nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Diploma in nursing or an associate degree in nursing considered with combined experience.

Public Health Nurse III

Graduation from an accredited college or university of nursing with a BSN preferred.

Diploma in nursing or an associate degree in nursing considered with combined experience and must be actively pursuing BSN with a determined date of graduation.

License or Certificate:

An LVN with at least two (2) years of clinical experience or an entry level RN qualifies as a PHN I.    

License or Certificate:

A valid unencumbered LVN (PHN I) or RN (PHN I/II/III) license issued by the Texas BON or valid compact state is required to apply.

A registered nurse license issued by the Texas Board of Nursing is required for the PHN II or III position.

A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is preferred.   

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

­­___     Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___     Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

_X_     Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

___     Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___     Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes:  The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

N         =          No

E         =          Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M         =          Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I           =          Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A         =          Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_E_     Standing

_M      Sitting

_M_    Walking

_M      Lifting

_I_      Carrying

_I_      Pushing/Pulling

_I_      Overhead Work

_E_     Fine Dexterity

_M_    Kneeling

_M_    Crouching

_I_      Crawling

_M_    Bending

_M_    Twisting

_I_      Climbing

_E_     Balancing

_E_     Vision

_E_     Hearing

_E_     Talking

___     Other:  _____________________