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Public Health Nurse (4 year degree RN) - Full time

POSITION SUMMARY:
Under direct supervision of the Public Health Director/Community Health Administrator, the Public Health Nurse is responsible to provide care coordination and general public health nursing services to Waseca County residents, focusing on the prevention of illness, injury or disability and the promotion and maintenance of health; and performs other duties as apparent or assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
  • Performs initial and ongoing MN Choices assessments and evaluations to determine the health status of individuals and families across the lifespan in their home, clinics and community settings; performs a variety of assessments to determine their risk, exposure and treatment options for a variety of health ailments and screenings including long term care consultation and personal care assistant assessments.
  • Performs care coordination duties for clients on prepaid health plans, Alternative Care program and other waiver programs; develops, implements, and coordinates care plans.
  • Screens, refers, and determines eligibility of Waseca County residents for appropriate community services.
  • Provides health education instruction and/or classes to individuals, families, community and service groups, industry, businesses and others for the promotion and maintenance of health. Participates in the preparation of public information materials. Performs public speaking engagements as assigned.
  • Participates in outbreak investigations and surveillance activities.
  • Counsels individual clients and/or families regarding disease prevention/treatment, health maintenance and promotion in order to enhance the individual’s ability to recognize the need for and seek treatment to meet health care needs.
  • Interprets agency programs, policies and resources for individuals, families, community and service groups, industry and business.
  • Provides referrals for clients for appropriate available services.
  • Plans for continuing professional growth through participation in in-service educational programs and inter-agency programs and policy development and revision.
  • Participates in other Public Health programs including, but not limited to, Women/Infant/Children (WIC) food supplement program, CTC Child/Teen Checkup Outreach (medical assistance), pre-petition screening for mentally ill and chemically dependent, and other programs.
  • Conducts blood pressure screening clinics, administers immunizations, early childhood screening clinics, etc.
  • Participates in Emergency Preparedness activities including planning; participating in exercises; and responding to actual emergency events as required and assigned.
  • Performs physical demands and work environment requirements for this position.
  • Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations and citizen customers.
  • Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Acts as a resource for health professionals and non-professionals to provide health related information.
  • Provides nursing assessments of at-risk families to develop a comprehensive and holistic coordinated health care plan. 
  • Participates in professional staff development. Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency. Attends and participates in professional organizations.
  • Associates with agents from other counties and states to learn about and maintain professionalism.
  • Performs other related functions as specified in Minnesota Statutes, as required by the County Board or assigned or apparent.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Ability to exercise independent types of judgment
  • Ability to plan and carry out activities concerning public health nursing
  • Ability to apply nursing rules and regulations
  • Ability to perform comprehensive assessments of health status to determine the needs for care
  • Ability to identify possible problems and develop appropriate plans and follow up steps
  • Ability to be detail-oriented
  • Ability to deal effectively with clients and the public of various types of backgrounds
  • Ability to handle confidential information with tact and discretion
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of general clinical and public health nursing
  • Knowledge of case management and provisions for continuity in patient care
  • Knowledge of current trends in public health nursing
  • Knowledge of effective counseling and coaching techniques
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Requires incumbent to work inside, alone, with others, around others and have contact with the public.
  • Incumbent may be exposed to infectious diseases.
  • Activities that occur continuously include: sitting; fine manipulating; hearing; seeing with near vision, depth perception, and accommodation, using organization skills; using concentration; working with interruptions; and using time management.
  • Activities that occur frequently include: using fingers, wrists, and hands for repetitive, non-repetitive and consistent actions; handling; talking; seeing with color vision; communicating –written; and using interpersonal skills.
  • Activities that occur occasionally include: standing; walking; use of the right foot for repetitive movements; seeing with far vision; smelling; problem solving; and communicating verbally.
  • Activities that occur infrequently include: reaching at, above and below shoulder level with the right shoulder , left shoulder and both shoulders at the same time; using the sense of touch; use of the left foot for repetitive movements; seeing with peripheral vision; carrying and lifting up to 50 pounds; using analytical ability and using creativity.
  • Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office with computer printers and/or light traffic)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Current licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Minnesota, with a BSN in nursing from an accredited school of nursing 
  • Public Health Nurse Certification or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire
  • Valid Minnesota driver’s license
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience in Public Health
  • Experienced with health education
  • Experience working with community members
  • Certified as a MN Choices Assessor
  • Ability to speak and interpret Spanish
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
  • Honorably discharged veteran status
  • Disabled veteran status
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive in the State of Minnesota.
  • Must satisfactorily pass a criminal background examination.
  • Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
  • Execution of, and compliance with, a confidentiality agreement.
WORK SCHEDULE:
The typical work hours for this position are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Evening, weekend and other hours may be required as assigned.

OSHA/ADA REQUIREMENTS:
Employees in this position must meet related OSHA standards and requirements to perform the essential duties of the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.