Siouxland District Health Public Health Nurse; BSN

Benefits

Woodbury County benefits include: IPERS. Great Health Insurance Benefit, Free Dental, Life & LTD Insurance, Sick leave benefits, Vacation, 10 Paid Holidays, 2 Personal Days, and a moving allowance is negotiable.

Public Health Nurses provide services to individuals, families and population groups. Nursing actions are directed toward the goals of prevention, assessment, risk reduction and health status improvement for individuals, families and communities. Nursing activities include, but are not limited to, systematic analysis of health data, care plan development, health education and advocacy, coalition building and collaborating with community partners to promote the health of a population.

Public Health Nurses often collaborate and consult within multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams to achieve desirable outcomes for families and communities. Public Health Nursing interventions occur at individual, family, community and system levels depending upon the responsibilities of the position and the issues involved.

• Perform comprehensive individual and family assessments: health history; physical; growth monitoring; developmental; psychosocial; basic needs including food, housing, income, resources and supports; and access to health care.
• Develop, implement and evaluate individualized plans of care based on assessment of client/family needs.
• Use established medical record forms, databases and documentation practices.
• Provide care coordination, referral and follow-up to individuals and families who are members of a vulnerable population and/or high-risk groups. Evaluate outcomes, effectiveness of plan and make changes as necessary.
• Advocate on behalf of vulnerable individuals and populations by assessing and evaluating health care services to ensure that individuals are informed of available health department and community programs and services and are assisted in accessing those services.
• Provide education, counseling and anticipatory guidance to individuals, families and community groups that are adapted to their age, developmental status, disability, unique needs, lifestyle, cultural and socio-economic situation which promote health and prevent disease.
• Read and interpret lab reports and perform a variety of related procedures in a clinic, home and community setting.
• Serve on internal and external committees providing information about public health services and participate in the assessment of community needs to establish or revise public health programs, policies and procedures.
• Recognize and report potential legal or physical hazards.
• Collect data, complete required programmatic documentation and develop reports following program/funder/agency requirements in a timely manner.
• Educate clients and families on their rights as related to privacy of medical information.
• Assist with reviewing, updating and researching policies and procedures.
• Provide reproductive health education to include family planning options, community reproductive health services, birth control options, including emergency contraception services.
• Administer vaccinations, TB tests and medications and follow medication/vaccine administration rights and protocols. (Right client, Right Medication/Vaccine, Right Route, Right Time and Right Dose).
• Educate clients on potential side effects and monitor for adverse reactions.
• Monitor vaccine storage and handling to assure maintenance of vaccine cold chain storage process following established procedures and processes.
• Investigate and monitor reports of communicable diseases. Coordinate efforts with physicians, school personnel and others regarding spread and treatment of diseases.
• Provide health care services, education and information to clients in compliance with related public health laws.
• Use public health surveillance/disease investigation methods in community outreach, screening and case finding of communicable and infectious diseases.
• Assume responsibility for own professional practice, growth and development by participating in continuing educational opportunities, pursuing additional education, attending conferences, participation in professional organizations, work groups or agency committees.
• Contribute to a work environment that fosters ongoing educational experiences regarding public health practice for colleagues, other health-related students, healthcare professionals and members of the community.
• Adhere to applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, such as those concerning blood borne pathogens, airborne pathogens, communicable diseases or exposure to other hazards during routine assignments or during public health emergencies.

Education, Experience and Special Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited school of nursing, including coursework in public health/community health required.
• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Iowa.
• Minimum of two years of experience in general nursing is…