Public Health Nurse

Duties:

• Responsible for receiving, recording, and reporting communicable diseases as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) including the utilization of the MAVEN surveillance database.
• Responsible for communicable disease control, surveillance, case investigation and implementing risk-reduction to prevent the spread of disease. Works closely with the Division of Tuberculosis Control and regional offices/staff to investigate and follow-up on all reported cases of tuberculosis, including testing all contacts, performing Direct Observed Therapy (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). home visits when needed and monitoring patients for compliance with treatment regime.
• Provides direct service and support with communicable disease investigation, outbreak control, and direct observation therapy. Collaborates with Director of Public Health Nursing and Epidemiologist team to assist with outbreak investigations.
• In coordination with other Public Health Nurse division staff, provide support in the planning and managing of public vaccination program, including but not limited to, ordering, and managing vaccine and clinical supply inventory, coordinating vaccine clinic logistics, staffing, and provision of resources.
• Maintain appropriate infection control measures and safe storage and handling of vaccines per MDPH requirements to safely and efficiently administer immunizations.
• Participates in Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) and reports immunization data in a timely manner while following HIPAA standards and confidentiality laws as set by local and state government entities.
• Support efforts for planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating the provision of comprehensive health services, including participating with co-workers in establishing priorities for service and in evaluating the effectiveness of service programs in terms of improved health status of individuals, families and the community as a whole.
• Coordinate and implement public health prevention programs with collaboration from community social service agencies and schools, perform or evaluate community needs assessments to identify gaps in services that may be beneficial to residents and establishments, as well as implement and oversee those clinical or prevention services identified to be effective and evidence based.
• Performs annual Recreational Camps for Children inspections, corresponds with camp directors including reviewing medical information for camp permit applications and verifying medical documentation follows applicable regulations.
• Ensures health equity and cultural competence and humility are at the forefront of all public health programming and policies within the department.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
• Coordinates Public Health educational events, activities, and messaging campaigns including but not limited health fairs, outreach events, or offering services at community-based organizations.
• Communicate to key stakeholders and community members changes or updates to public health alerts or advisories in a variety of media mediums and in a culturally competent and linguistic manner.
• Assist in the development and review of emergency response plans and help manage operations of emergency dispensing sites.
• Function as part of the emergency response Incident Command structure and participate in local and regional Public Health emergency response activities.
• Maintains detailed, accurate and confidential records regarding nursing activities and related client records, public health screening, and common health data in accordance of Local and State Law.
• Perform continuous research of trends and best practices in public health data to guide current and future operational policies, as well as monitoring updates from Public Health authorities on emergency notices, advisories, alerts, and updates to clinical policies and protocols.
• Required to attend training programs and/or seminars to further education and to stay abreast of changes in laws and regulations pertaining to the provision of public nursing services such as NIMS, ICS 100 through 300 as well as changes in standard operating practices and techniques.
• Attend meetings with the Board of Health and upon request represent the Division at various City and community meetings, coalitions and events.
• Provides back-up support for Director of Public Health Nursing.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Must possess a valid, current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts.
• B.S.N in Nursing required.
• A minimum of three to five (3-5) years related work experience in community health nursing, school nursing or public health nursing; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Must have access to own transportation and ability to…