Public Health Nurse

OPEN UNTIL FILLED - First review of applications is 8/7/2024.

Benefits of working for Jefferson County 
-  Up to $3,000 in moving/relocation expenses
-  No shift work!
-  Typical schedule is Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
-  Affordable medical/vision/dental insurance at $126.78/month for family coverage
-  Paid vacation and sick leave that starts accruing your first month
-  PERS retirement plan (employee/employer contribution rates vary)
-  9 paid holidays
-  Work in beautiful central Oregon
-  County pays for relevant training and Nursing License
-  The County is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
   

As a Public Health Nurse, you will work to promote health, prevent disease and injury, and protect the population of Jefferson County from hazards in the environment or the biological threat to health using the public health model that integrates core functions, essential services, and nursing practice.

This position is grant-funded and works under the general supervision of the Director of Public Health.  Supervision is not a responsibility of this position.  The Public Health Nurse must have knowledge and experience in a variety of nursing aspects, such as children, pregnant women, teens, immunization, birth control, communicable disease.  The nurse must be flexible, culturally appropriate, and know when to refer for a consult.  This position is considered health care personnel working in a healthcare setting that may have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in communicable disease monitoring and dispensing appropriate medications.
• Offer telephone advice to community and providers on a variety of health matters, including family planning, immunizations, communicable diseases, and HIV.
• Make referrals to other agencies and resources available to clients.
• Maintain clients’ rights to confidentiality, quality services, and respect as individuals.
• Perform other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.
• Make appropriate judgments about what findings or issues may need provider attention.  Contact provider by phone, fax, or letter.
• Establish a good rapport with clientele; be open, honest, understanding, and non-judgmental.
• Assist clients to understand health issues in a way they will understand.  Promote cultural understanding and competency.
• Ability to protect health information per HIPAA
• Regular attendance is an essential function of the position.

The Public Health Nurse will perform backup duties in the following:

• Assist Nurse Practitioner with Family Planning Clinic and ensure follow-ups as necessary.
• Schedule immunization clinics and give immunizations to infants, children, and adults.
• Order and manage inventory on immunization products, family practice, and clinic supplies.
• Perform blood pressure monitoring and basic lab tests. Perform TB screening and case management.
• Visit assigned schools, daycare facilities, senior centers, etc. for basic assessments, screenings, and educational presentations.
• Provide both written and oral presentations to the community in the education of treatment and prevention of disease spread.
• Manage yearly school exclusion process, works with school and state to ensure compliance of school immunization law.
• Prepare monthly Immunization reports for Oregon Health Department.

The Public Health Nurse MAY perform the following:

• Provide clinical services and/or back up for the Jefferson County Adult Correctional Facility.
• Provide initial health assessment and ongoing health care to all inmates.
• Ensure compliance with state and county regulations and medical standing orders.
• Ensure Correctional Deputies are compliant with health care policies.
• Ensure all medications, lab tests, and health care management are in the best interest of the patient.
• Assess and monitor all drug/alcohol detox patients for medical stability or change in status.
• Continually assess the mental health status of all inmates.
• Review all billing for services, orders supplies, and stock infirmary.
• Perform other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.
• Provide a variety of nursing care services, case management, treatment plan, teaching, counseling, and referral to clients and families in a home and/or community setting.
• Provide nursing assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation.
• Coordinate care with other health care providers, professionals, and other agencies and community representatives.
• Communicate with state program staff regarding program requirements and ensure work is completed according to state requirements.  Prepare for triennial reviews including updating policies and meeting with state staff to review program performance.
• Ensure the program meets Healthy Family America standards (Evidence-Based criteria) including monitoring staff training, providing supervision of home visitor,
• Communicate with the advisory board regarding program performance, successes, and concerns.
• Coordinate with Home Visitor to complete family goal plans.
• Guide home visitors to ensure the appropriate provision of services with the HFA program guidelines.
• Analyze program data and monitor performance measures of the HFA program to inform Quality Assurance activities.
• Write program plans including Cultural Sensitivity Review and Plan, Family Acceptance Plan, Family Retention Plan, Screening Monitoring and Plan, Program Goal Plan, Training Plan, and Plan to Increase Home Visit Completion.
• Coordinate visiting student nurse experiences.
• Provide school classroom education as facilitator or presenter in Reproductive Health (My Future/My Choice) and other PH areas.
• Make home visits to maternity, high-risk infants, and special needs children.
• Assess by gathering subjective, objective information, decide on priority issues, educate the client on how to address issues/problems.  Evaluate success.
• Utilize appropriate tools for screening, elicit behaviors appropriate for child’s age, and document behaviors. Refer to Early Intervention or other agencies as appropriate.
• Review birth certificates, and determine eligibility. Review referrals from all sources. Prioritize, enroll, and discharge clients.
• Utilize breastfeeding information and knowledge to promote breastfeeding and assist clients with breastfeeding issues.  Serve as a resource to other staff.
• Prepare for and Respond to Public Health Emergencies as indicated and able to within the JC Emergency Operations Plan.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills
Must have strong knowledge in a variety of nursing fields such as maternal-child health, communicable diseases, and family planning.  Must have knowledge in immunizations including time intervals, dosage, and normal/abnormal reactions.   Must have good computer input, correspondence, and communications skills.

Abilities
Ability to work independently and without direct supervision.  Ability to be flexible and willing to handle any situation at any time even when working in a specific clinic on a specific day.  Ability to schedule a time to allow for continuous education through publications, conferences, and training in order to keep up with public health issues.  Ability to convey a positive image of the County.

Physical Abilities
Ability to sit and use a rapid finger, hand, and arm movement for extended periods of time. Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crawl, and lift great than 20 lbs occasionally.  Ability to be exposed to ventilation/airborne fumes, temperatures extremes, and infection and disease. This position is considered health care personnel working in a healthcare setting that may have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials.

Education and Experience
Completion of an accredited Registered Nurse program.  Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is desirable and experience in a public health setting to include a variety of nursing aspects, such as children, pregnant women, teens, immunization, birth control, and communicable diseases is required. Clinical and field experience desirable.

Licenses and Certificates
Valid Registered Nurse certification/license in the State of Oregon is required.   A valid Oregon driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors. Some safety considerations exist from physical labor and handling of light-to-medium weight.

Probationary Requirement
This position is based on the successful completion of a nine-month probationary period.If you are a Veteran and wish to request Veterans' preference credit, please click HERE to complete the Veterans' preference form and upload with the required documentation as part of your application.

Salary : $74,208 - $94,837