Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurse I – Texas Department of State Health Services

Location: MOUNT PLEASANT, TX 1014 N JEFFERSON

Posting Number: 11738

Closing Date: 12/17/2025

Shift: Day,
Additional Shift: Days (First)

Salary Range: $4,263.16 – $6,779.25 per month

Telework: N/A

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in good standing in the State of Texas or one of the license Compact states.
• Current RN license in good standing; at least one year of nursing experience, which may include prior LVN experience.

Under the supervision of a PHN III Nursing Supervisor, the PHN I is responsible for the delivery of public health nursing services and day‑to‑day direction of a public health nursing clinic and its support staff.

• Coordinate public health nursing services with program requirements to assure achievement of the region's goals.
• Implement nursing and program standards to assure quality public health nursing care to consumers.
• Coordinate services with other disciplines.
• Provide direct public health nursing services in an assigned geographic area, including participation in current and long‑range planning.
• Deliver population‑based services using the essential public health services model.
• Independently supervise clinic support staff, including scheduling, assessment, and development.
• Work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

45% DIRECT PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICES

• Deliver PH nursing services to eligible clients using the nursing process; perform technical nursing procedures, including tuberculosis testing, treatment, and monitoring.
• Serve as a role model for support staff in professional/ethical behavior.
• Assure appropriate patient referral and follow‑up.
• Coordinate services with other disciplines to maximize resources.
• Implement nursing program purpose/goals/objectives and standards.
• Support communication and authority lines.
• Assist with staffing/scheduling of clinics.
• Maintain administrative/ patient encounter reports.
• Provide indirect supervision and daily direction of clinic support staff and LVN’s.

45% ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

• Monitor health status to identify community health problems; assist in disease investigation, reporting, and immunization tracking.
• Diagnose and investigate health hazards; assist in outbreak investigations and provide vaccines.
• Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; conduct community education and outreach.
• Mobilize partnerships to identify and solve health problems; participate in coalitions and meetings.
• Develop policies and plans that support individual/community health efforts; advocate to policymakers.
• Enforce laws and regulations that protect health; link individuals to resources and ensure compliance.
• Link people to personal health services and assure provision if unavailable.
• Assure a competent public health workforce; evaluate staff performance and provide training.
• Evaluate effectiveness and quality of services; participate in quality assurance activities.
• Research for insights and innovative solutions; participate in work groups and research projects.

10% Other duties – including disaster response and continuity of operations responsibilities.

• Knowledge of nursing theory, nursing process, nursing sciences, and public health nursing principles, including cultural, social, and economic factors.
• Knowledge of tuberculosis testing, treatment, monitoring, and immunizations.
• Knowledge of teaching and learning theories, leadership methods, interviewing principles, and community resources.
• Knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act, Pharmacy Act, CLIA Act, and Medical Practice Standing Orders.
• Knowledge of nursing practice standards and assessment.
• Skills:
  
  problem solving, decision making, management, supervision, interviewing, negotiating, communication, group education, and computer use.
• Ability to work productively with individuals and groups; exercise good judgment; function as a team member.
• Ability to provide own transportation and travel to geographic areas where patients reside.
• Ability to perform technical nursing procedures.

Registration or Licensure Requirements: Licensed as an RN in good standing in Texas or one of the license Compact states.

Initial Selection Criteria: Current RN license in good standing; at least one year of nursing experience (may include prior LVN experience).

• The salary offered follows DSHS starting salary guidelines and is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Applicants selected may be required to pass background and due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E‑Verify; applicants must bring I‑9 documentation on the first day of work.