Purpose of Position:

To utilize the core public health functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance to provide professional, population-based nursing programs and services to individuals, families, and the community with the goal of preventing disease and injury, promoting healthy behaviors, and protecting the community from threats to the health of the public.

The employee in this position is expected to complete assignments and operate programs with minimal level of supervision, and may lead and/or advise other public health staff in areas of programmatic expertise.

Essential Duties:

The following duties are typical for this position. This list is not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive, and may be modified as need requires. Other duties may be required and assigned.

·         Promotes and maintains the health of individuals, families, and the community through public health interventions such as teaching, counseling, and appropriate preventative and rehabilitative measures.

·         Assesses needs of individuals, families, and the community and develops, implements, evaluates, and plans for provision of services to meet identified needs.

·         Builds and maintains relationships with the community as applicable to both programming and general nursing services for the purpose of coordinated services, population-based planning, advocacy, and referrals.

·         Constructs and implements educational programs such as press releases and presentations to the public/community.

·         Provides culturally competent public health nursing services in a variety of settings including client homes, schools, and communities.

·         Provides public health nursing services in programs and grant projects (will be assigned certain programs and expected to cross-train to others) including but not limited to: newborn, postpartum, and other maternal child health visits; emergency preparedness; workgroups and coalition activities (school-nurse workgroup, nutrition coalition and tobacco coalition); oral health; water testing; tobacco; Birth to 3; the Public Health Clinic; screenings; jail health; and Personal Care.

·         Investigates communicable diseases and provides follow-up according to State Statutes.

·         Participates in immunization clinics both at the Health Department and off-site throughout the year and maintains knowledge of immunization changes.

·         Responds to concerns regarding potential human health hazard conditions when the Health Officer is not present.

·         Maintains knowledge of State Statutes, Administrative Rules, and local ordinances governing public health services. Utilizes agency policies and procedures.

·         Maintains and submits accurate, timely documentation and records. This includes entering data into required systems such as SPHERE and completing logs as requested to track progress of programs.

·         Maintains confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and agency policies.

·         Develops and reviews Public Health Unit policies and procedures to ensure “best practices” and quality documents to guide the work of the Public Health Unit.

·         Reports abnormal patient/client conditions and data to the Public Health Supervisor and/or the physician, which may include the Medical Advisor to the County.

·         Utilizes the form control system appropriately and ensures forms/documents for various programs are current, useful, and controlled.

·         Participates in training and education offered by the Department and the Public Health Unit.

·         Maintain up-to-date immunizations such as Tdap, Hepatitis B series, and annual TB skin tests.

·         Participates in strategizing for plans and goals of the Public Health Unit.

·         Functions as a team player within the Public Health Unit.

·         Assists with other delegated administrative and supervisory tasks.

Minimum Training, Experience, and Qualifications Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

·         Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) approved by the board of nursing under s. 441.01(3), State Statutes or accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The program shall include preparation in public health nursing or community health nursing.

·         A current Wisconsin license to practice as a registered professional nurse, or the ability to obtain one

·         A valid driver’s license

·         Reliable vehicle with proof of insurance

·         Maintain valid CPR certification

·         Prefer experience in public health nursing or knowledge of the theory, principles, practices, and techniques of Public Health, Public Health Nursing, epidemiology, and communicable disease control.

·         Demonstrated ability to function independently, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and knowledge of and ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet Explorer.