Public Health Nurse - Disease Investigation Nurse

POSITION:
Public Health Nurse 1 – Disease Investigation Nurse

JOB CATEGORY: VCHD 12

DEPARTMENT:
Vanderburgh County Health Department – Communicable Disease Division

SUPERVISOR:
Supervisor of Clinical Nursing

• Promotes the mission, vision and values of the Health Department.
• Conducts epidemiological investigations by notifying medical providers and/or employers,
  interviewing clients and others involved, collecting follow-up specimens, coordinating and/or
  providing post-exposure prophylaxis and completing documentation per local, state and federal
  guidelines.
• Conducts literature reviews and assists in preparing reports from analysis of surveillance data,
  literature reviews, and other information sources using behavioral science, demographic and
  epidemiologic analytical techniques and evaluation.
• Attends continuing education seminars, conferences and meetings to maintain awareness of new
  techniques in epidemiology and infection control.
• Provides orientation and continuing education to employees, area medical providers, professional
  colleagues and student nurses. Promotes awareness of and interest in clinical programs among
  civic, school and community groups, target populations and the media through speaking
  engagements.
• Attends health department staff meetings and serves on committees as required.
• Assists in other programs as necessary for accomplishment of departmental goals and objectives.
• Administers immunizations according to CDC and ACIP protocols.
• Participates in after-hour activities including outbreak and emergency response as needed.
• Administers and interprets tuberculosis screening tests, provides Directly Observed Therapy
  (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). patients with LTBI and TB Disease, assist in investigations of tuberculosis.
• Performs phlebotomist services.
  Consults with Health Officer, if indicated, referring patients to specialist if recommended.
• Diagnoses, treats and completes follow-up activities including explaining disease, lab results,
  how disease is transmitted, issuing treatment guidelines and establishing follow-up appointment
  schedule.
• Completes case detection activities, interviewing for exposure history, counseling, referring,
  educating and initiating contact follow-up cards.
• Develops, recommends and initiates new methods of presenting and interpreting health related
  information to community.
• Promotes awareness of and interest in departmental programs among civic and community
  groups, target populations, and news media through educational workshops, and public speaking
  engagements.
• Supports and assists other Health Department programs, clinic and resource agencies.
  Attends continuing education seminars, conferences and meetings to maintain awareness of new
  techniques in nursing field.
• Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.