Public Health Nurse

Company

Description:

Tippecanoe County Government is committed to providing responsive, high-quality services that support self-sufficiency, personal safety, and economic opportunity for residents. The County works to foster mutual respect and enhance the overall quality of life for current and future generations. Located in the West Central region of the state, Tippecanoe County offers a strategic position for public service professionals. It is situated midway between Chicago and Indianapolis along Interstate 65, providing convenient access to major metropolitan areas.

Applicants can expect to work within a community-focused organization dedicated to continuous improvement and public well-being.

Incumbent serves as Public Health Nurse for the Health Department, responsible for providing health screening, treatment, and education.

• Communicable Disease Nurse:
  Investigates reports of communicable diseases according to guidelines, including interviewing, educating, and testing patients and their contacts, maintaining records, communicating with/reporting to appropriate agencies, and conducting follow-up interviews. As well as duties listed below for All Public Health Nurses.
• Tuberculosis Nurse:
  Assists in monitoring/maintaining tuberculosis prevention and treatment program, including screening and testing adults and children, maintaining detailed records, administering medications as prescribed by physicians, conducting periodic follow-up tests, coordinating control activities in the community, and notifying medical personnel of new cases. As well as duties listed below for All Public Health Nurses.
• Immunization Nurse:
  Implements free and public immunization programs according to Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) guidelines, including scheduling clinics, interviewing/educating patients, assessing vaccine history, determining/giving appropriate immunizations, maintaining written client records for entry on computer, and preparing/submitting monthly statistical reports to ISDH as required. Monitors/ maintains current vaccine inventory, ordering as needed.
• Conducts various community health clinics, such as providing influenza shots, and screening for blood pressure, hepatitis B, pregnancy, rabies, lead poisoning and lice. Promotes community education regarding various health topics by providing oral and printed information to patients and office/clinic visitors. As well as duties listed below for All Public Health Nurses.
• All Public Health Nurses:
  Assists Department environmental health personnel as needed in testing persons exposed to environmental hazards, such as foodborne and waterborne illnesses, animal diseases, and lead.
• All Public Health Nurses:
  Provides nursing care to local parochial schools, including interviewing patients, making physical assessments, providing information, making referrals, and administering medications, injections, and treatment as ordered.
• All Public Health Nurses:
  Maintains current knowledge of medical practices and public health issues by reading professional publications, attending meetings, and periodically attending training seminars as required.
• All Public Health Nurses:
  Performs blood draws to determine HIV status as required by court order.
• All Public Health Nurses:
  Are cross‑trained with each of the other nursing departments to cover each other for time off/out of office or any time needed.
• All Public Health Nurses:
  Prepare and dispense medications and administer injections.
• All Public Health Nurses:
  Maintain inventory of medical supplies and forms, ordering and restocking accordingly.
• All Public Health Nurses:
  Contact patients, pharmacies, and other medical facilities as necessary, issuing codes to hospitals, obtaining approval from Medicaid, and phoning in prescription information to pharmacies.
• All Public Health Nurses:
  Serves on 24‑hour call for emergencies.
• All Public Health Nurses:
  Performs related duties as assigned.

Current Indiana Registered Nurse license required, and experience in public health or related area preferred.

Registered Nurse (RN) licensure is preferred; however, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant nursing experience may be considered.

• Certification in CPR, Mantoux, and as a tuberculosis instructor. Possession of Nurse's Liability Insurance required.
• Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of state and local public health regulations, Department policies and procedures, and accepted principles and practices of public health nursing.
• Working knowledge of standard immunization practices, procedures and potential complications, with ability to effectively supervise related clinics.
• Ability to effectively examine and screen individuals, assess needs, and provide appropriate information, treatment, assistance and appropriate referrals. Ability to properly use various medical equipment, including stethoscope, thermometer, Bp cuff, scales, and syringes.
• Ability to effectively…