Public Health Nurse

Overview

A Public Health Nurse, under general supervision, performs comprehensive nursing services in preventive health, home health, and clinic programs, including assessment, diagnosis, teaching, counseling, and prevention services to individuals, families, and groups to promote health and wellness to clients and residents in the county. General field, office, and clinic assignments are received from the Nursing Supervisor. An employee in this class exercises considerable independent judgment in the performance of job duties, referring only difficult or unusual problems to supervisory personnel for clinical assistance.

During a public health emergency, may be required to report for specialized assigned duties or perform emergency response roles, inside or outside Muskegon County.

Supervision received: A Public Health Nurse, under the general supervision of a Nursing Supervisor, performs job duties on an independent basis, referring only unusual problems to supervisory personnel for clinical guidance and direction. May work under standing physician orders and/or federal, state and local program guidelines.

Generally none, although may be responsible for daily guidance of ancillary personnel.

The following examples are intended to be descriptive but not restrictive.

• Provides skilled nursing services through direct service, demonstration and teaching;
• Provides continuity of patient care by planning and exchanging information with other health and social agencies;
• Identifies individuals who have physical or emotional illness through observations, analysis of records and screening procedures and assists them in securing appropriate health care;
• Provides consultative and/or direct services pertaining to communicable disease regulations, immunizations, family planning, general health-care programs for community groups and special department screening projects;
• Provides consultation concerning and appropriate referral to all health department services;
• Participates in periodic caseload/workload analysis;
• Prepares special reports and patient case studies as requested;
• Documents all care provided appropriately using agency forms and records;
• Participates in quality assurance activities and promotes continuous quality improvement in programs, service delivery and population health outcomes that align with the mission and vision of Public Health;
• Follows documented departmental procedures to maintain supplies and inventory needed for the programs;
• Ensures that clinical documentation regarding clients is kept secure and confidential and maintained consistent with Health Department policies and procedures;
• Attends all appropriate staff and in-service education meetings;
• Performs other related duties as required.

• Required Experience and Training
• 1. Possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Nursing; OR
• 2. Possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with any major; AND
• Have a minimum of one (1) years of work experience in Public or Community Health or related field; OR
• 3. Possess an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in Applied Science (AAS) Nursing; AND Have a minimum of two (2) years of work experience in Public or Community Health or related field.
• 4. Possess and maintain a licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Michigan; AND
• 5. Possess and maintain a valid Michigan driver's license.
• Required Knowledge,
  
  Skills and Abilities
  
  
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to carry out nursing assessments of clients;
• Knowledge of the types, effects and possible side effects of various medications;
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of general nursing care, dietetics, sanitation and personal hygiene and/or methods and techniques used in the prevention of communicable diseases;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing, applicable public health laws and ordinances, and of the scope and aspects of health education;
• Knowledge of the functions of other health and social agencies and their relationship to public health;
• Considerable ability in planning, organizing, multi-tasking and coordinating program activities;
• Considerable ability to relate to people both on a one-to-one basis and as a member of a group;
• Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees and the general public;
• Considerable ability to accept supervision;
• Considerable ability to give as well as receive complex oral or written instructions;
• Considerable ability to maintain records and prepare reports pertaining to progress and activity planning.

A Public Health Nurse performs generally sedentary work activities requiring the lifting of objects weighing thirty-five (35) pounds or less.

An employee in this class generally works at the Health…