Job description

Job Description

General Position Summary: The role of this Public Health Nurse (PHN) is to provide communicable disease control services to diverse populations in a variety of community settings. Activities include outreach, case finding, health promotion, prevention, education and surveillance. Makes appropriate nursing diagnosis; plans and implements nursing interventions and evaluates outcomes of interventions in individuals, communities and systems. This position provides knowledge and support to medical establishments and personnel; community-based agencies; federal, state, and local governmental agencies; and department personnel to educate, exchange information, and to track disease control issues for Cowlitz County. Additionally, this PHN serves as a resource to staff by providing communicable disease support to other PHNs who are working with high risk or complex clients/families. This position also works closely with other Communicable Disease staff to ensure appropriate case management and/or care coordination for individuals, families, groups and/or communities affected by Tuberculosis.
Benefits Information:
Cowlitz County offers a generous benefits package which includes:

• Medical/Dental/Vision (includes dependent coverage)
• VEBA/Health Retirement Account for those who qualify
• Retirement through Washington State Public Employees Retirement System
• Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation plans available (457b)
• Vacation, Bonus and Leave Days Paid
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Reasonable work hours

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The County*
Cowlitz County is a great place to live and work. Located along the Columbia River less than an hour from the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Cowlitz County provides an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and easy access to the Arts. The I-5 corridor runs right through Cowlitz County providing quick access to the Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas.

Job Duties

Communicable Disease

• Responsible for investigating communicable disease reports following the Washington State Department of Health disease response guidelines. Implement and participate in the steps needed to complete investigations of confirmed reportable diseases. Such steps may include phone interviews, home visits, reports, documentation, and transport of biologics.
• Provide knowledge and support to medical establishments and personnel in how to manage infectious disease; work with other community-based agencies, federal, state, and local governmental agencies and other department staff to educate, exchange information, and to track disease control issues for Cowlitz County,
• Assess physical, emotional, social and environmental needs of individuals and families and assist in establishing goals and outcomes. Provide education, support and referral resources in assisting individuals and families in attaining their targeted goals; formulate nursing diagnosis based on nursing assessment and client goals; evaluate client progress toward stated goals and outcomes.
• Ensure timely and accurate data input to the disease reporting database
• Actively engage in professional development to meet Public Health Nurse Competency requirements.
• Meet with Community Health Manager weekly for clinical supervision.
• Participate in review and analysis of reports for achievements and areas for improvement. Participate in quality improvement efforts.
• Order and maintain clinic supplies, equipment, vaccine and other biologics as needed.

Other Public Health Nursing activities:

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Ensure services are responsive to diverse cultural values, traditions and languages.

• Advocate to protect and promote the health and safety of individuals and the community.
• Integrate ethical considerations into all aspects of practice.
• Provide specific health assessments for individuals, communities and systems. Make nursing diagnoses; research, plan, implement and evaluate nursing interventions through teaching, counseling, screening examinations; monitoring referrals, and case management as appropriate.
• Assist in determining priorities; assist in researching interventions for identified groups and for specific health issues.
• Use scientific knowledge with the consideration of all the social determinants of health.
• Identify expected outcomes for a plan, individual case plan or community intervention, based upon nursing assessment and diagnoses.
• Identify best practice strategies for identified health issues; create action plans with alternatives to attain expected outcomes.
• Participate in interdisciplinary programs that monitor, anticipate and respond to public health problems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Public Health Nurse I:
1. Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing, and one (1) year of experience in nursing or related field. Or, an Associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing and two (2) years of nursing experience that would give the candidate the skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
2. Must be a licensed registered nursed in the State of Washington.
3. Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Public Health Nurse II:
1. Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing, and two (2) year of experience in nursing. Or, an Associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing and three (3) years of nursing experience that would give the candidate the skills to successfully perform the duties of this position.
2. Must be a licensed registered nursed in the State of Washington.
3. Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Supplemental Information

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Interpersonal and customer service skills to effectively assist clients, including those from diverse cultural backgrounds. Establish and maintain good working relations with dept. staff and with those contacted in the course of work. Develop/maintain credibility with clients.
• Good communication skills to obtain information and ideas across a wide range and levels of clients and other professionals.
• General clerical knowledge. Maintain accurate records. Prepare and present oral and written proposals and presentations.
• Work effectively in a teamwork environment, as well as independently. Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ongoing desire to upgrade skills, and willingness to share information and expertise among the staff, clients, and volunteers.
• Analytical skills to assess/identify problems, and develop logical/effective solutions. Resourcefulness for problem solving.
• Maintain knowledge of trade/industry advances and new technologies, and analyze potential applications for the county.
• Exercise discretion over sensitive and confidential issues related to the department’s business. (Must sign confidentiality agreement)
• Skillfully handle exposure to difficult/unpleasant matters when dealing with client cases. Be non-judgmental of clients and their lifestyles.
• Observe and abide by all county and department policies, goals, and objectives, as well as follow nursing protocols.

The ability to handle job stress and interact effectively with others in the workplace

Cowlitz County offers a competitive benefits package for Full-Time employees, including:

• Health Insurance: Variety of Medical, dental, life, vision, and prescription insurance for employee and family. Employees who are covered under another person's medical plan have the option of an HRA (Health Retirement Account) in lieu of medical insurance. HSA and FSA plans are also available, depending on eligibility.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: All full-time employees must participate in a Washington State Retirement Services plan, and may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan, if desired.
• Employee Assistance Program employees and family members for help with personal or family issues.
• Group Life Insurance: Basic life and Accident insurance is provided to employee, with additional insurance available to purchase.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $63,528.00 - $82,704.00 per year

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