Public Health Nurse – RN or BSN

Reporting to the Public Health Manager, the Public Health Nurse (PHN) promotes and protects the health of Polk County residents through community-based nursing services, health education, outreach, and collaboration with internal and external partners. This position applies professional nursing principles and public health practices to support individuals, families, and population-level health initiatives.

• Assess individual, family, and community health needs and identify those who may bene?t from public health services.
• Conduct case ?nding, outreach, and follow-up with individuals and populations at higher risk for illness or poor health outcomes.
• Develop nursing assessments and initiatives based on health data and evidence-based practice.
• Provide immunizations, screenings, health education, and disease prevention services.

• Participates in surveillance and investigation of communicable and chronic diseases.
• Communicate with state officials, clinics, schools, daycares, and healthcare providers
• during disease events and outbreaks.
• Interprets and implements local public health protocols, reporting requirements, and Federal and State regulations.

• Serve as a public health resource to individuals, families, schools, medical centers, long-term care facilities, community organizations, and other partners.
• Participate in coalitions and community initiatives addressing public health priorities.
• Collaborates with the private sector to develop coordinated community policies/programs.

• Assist with program development, quality improvement, and public health planning.
• Work with supervisors to inform the general public, legislators and local governing boards on public health priority issues and policy changes.
• Participate in emergency preparedness planning, exercises, and response activities.
• Other duties as assigned and departmental support.

• Maintain accurate documentation in the electronic health record system in accordance with agency standards.
• Uphold client privacy and con?dentiality per HIPAA and state regulations.
• Apply sound judgment, discretion, and critical thinking in performing duties.
• Seek ongoing professional development and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

• Registered Nurse, RN:
  None.
• Public Health Nurse, BSN:
  Limited supervision of Public Health Program Assistants during immunization clinics; may assist and mentor student nurses during clinical rotations.

Registered Nurse, RN

• Associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited program.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required within 2 years of hire (extensions possible with Director approval).

Public Health Nurse, BSN

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Salary is dependent upon quali?cations.

• Licensed Registered Nurse in the State of Wisconsin.
• Successful completion of criminal and caregiver background checks.
• Basic Life Support certi?cation.
• Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Knowledge of state and federal regulatory standards, patient rights, con?dentiality requirements, and scope of nursing practice.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse settings.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic environment with shifting public health needs.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and problem-solving ability.
• Commitment to equity, cultural competency, and serving high-risk or underserved populations.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal staff, Polk County residents, schools, medical providers, long-term care facilities, daycares, and community partners.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Flexibility to accept assignments that support department operations.

Employees of the Polk County Health Department are expected to have a working knowledge of the Council of Linkages General Public Health Domains. The degree of knowledge will be based on the position and job responsibilities. Bi-annual self-assessments of competency levels are required of PCHD employees. To ?nd out more about the General Public Health Domains go to: http://www.phf.org/resource stools/Pages/_Health_Competencies.aspx

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