Public Health Nurse Supervisor

POSITION: Public Health Nurse Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: Health

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F

SALARY: $2,700.50 Biweekly

Incumbent serves as Public Health Nurse Supervisor for the Tippecanoe County Health Department, responsible for providing health screening, treatment and education, and supervising and directing Health Department nursing personnel.

DUTIES:

Supervises and directs Nurse Division operations, including periodically analyzing workload of Division, reviewing position documentation, interviewing candidates, providing orientation and training, planning, delegating, and controlling work assignments, establishing specific work goals, determining significant changes in job responsibilities, communicating and administering personnel policies and procedures, and maintaining discipline and recommending corrective action as warranted. Keeps supervisor and assigned staff informed of organizational developments.

Compiles and prepares a wide variety of statistical reports, documents, and other correspondence as required by the Health Commissioner.

Investigates reports of communicable diseases according to guidelines, including interviewing, educating and testing patients and their contacts, maintaining records, communicating with/reporting to appropriate agencies, and conducting follow-up interviews.

Assists in monitoring/maintaining tuberculosis prevention and treatment program, including screening and testing adults and children, maintaining detailed records, administering medications as prescribed by physicians, conducting periodic follow-up tests, coordinating control activities in the community, and notifying medical personnel of new cases.

Implements free immunization programs according to Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) guidelines, including scheduling clinics, interviewing/educating patients, assessing vaccine history, determining/giving appropriate immunizations, maintaining written client records for entry on computer, and preparing/submitting monthly statistical reports to ISDH as required. Monitors/ maintains current vaccine inventory, ordering as needed.

Conducts various community health clinics, such as providing influenza shots, and screening for blood pressure, blood sugars, hepatitis B, pregnancy, rabies, lead poisoning and lice. Promotes community education regarding various health topics by providing oral and printed information to patients and office/clinic visitors.

Assists Department environmental health personnel as needed in testing persons exposed to environmental hazards, such as foodborne and waterborne illnesses, animal diseases, and lead.

Maintains current knowledge of medical practices, public health issues by reading professional publications, attending meetings and periodically attending training seminars as required.

Performs blood draws to determine HIV status as required by court order.

Occasionally testifies in legal proceedings/court as required.

Serves on 24-hour call for emergencies.

Performs related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Indiana Registered Nurse license required, and experience in public health or related area preferred. Possession of Nurse's Liability Insurance required, with Certification in CPR, Mantoux, and as tuberculosis instructor. Bachelor's degree in nursing preferred.

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of HIPAA regulations, state and local public health regulations, Department policies and procedures, and accepted principles and practices of public health nursing.

Working knowledge of standard immunization practices, procedures and potential complications, with ability to effectively supervise related clinics.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and to prepare detailed reports as required.

Knowledge of basic filing systems and ability to create and maintain accurate and complete department files and records according to HIPAA requirements.

Ability to supervise and direct nursing personnel, including periodically analyzing workload of Division, reviewing position documentation, interviewing candidates, providing orientation and training, planning, delegating, and controlling work assignments, establishing specific work goals, determining significant changes in job responsibilities, communicating and administering personnel policies and procedures, and maintaining discipline and recommending corrective action as warranted.

Ability to effectively examine and screen individuals, assess needs, and provide appropriate information, treatment, assistance and appropriate referrals.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing co-workers, local health care providers, school personnel, hospitals, other health facilities, community service organizations, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to properly operate standard office and/or medical equipment, including computer, printer, telephone, typewriter and medical equipment, such as syringes, stethoscope, thermometer, BP cuff, and scales.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to State requirements.

Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written and oral instructions, and present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment.

Ability to compare or observe similarities and differences in data, compile, collate, analyze and evaluate data, and make determinations based on data analyses.

Ability to apply knowledge of people and/or locations, and plan and layout assigned work projects.

Ability to work on several tasks at the same time and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.

Ability to occasionally plan and present public speaking presentations, fund raisers, or special events.

Ability to occasionally work extended, evening and/or weekend hours, and occasionally travel out of town for meetings/training, sometimes overnight.

Ability to serve on 24-hour call and respond swiftly, rationally and decisively to emergency situations.

Ability to occasionally testify in legal proceeding/court as required.

Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent's duties are broad in scope, involving many variables or considerations with interrelationships difficult to ascertain. Incumbent performs duties according to well-established standard practices of the profession and standard department policies and procedures, exercising independent judgment in determining appropriate treatment or referrals for individual cases.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent ensures proper implementation of public health programs according to standardized practice of the nursing profession. Incumbent supervises personnel and operations of the Nursing and Vital Records divisions, referring to supervisor unusual and/or unprecedented situations. Work is periodically reviewed for attainment of objectives and effect on Department goals/objectives/policy.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, local health care providers, school personnel, hospitals, other health facilities, community service organizations, and the public for the purpose of supervising operations and personnel, exchanging and explaining information, coordinating health clinics, and providing health screening, treatment and education.

Incumbent reports directly to Administrator.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs majority of duties in a standard office environment within a health/medical facility and at various residential sites, such as patient homes and institutions. Duties involve standing/walking for long periods, pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects weighing over 25 pounds, reaching, bending at waist, crouching/kneeling, close/far vision, color and depth perception, hearing sounds/ communication, and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent is exposed to normal hazards associated with driving, such as adverse weather conditions, and normal hazards associated with public health nursing, such as communicable diseases and blood-borne pathogens, for which universal health precautions must be followed to ensure safety of self and others. Incumbent occasionally works extended, evening and/or weekend hours, and occasionally travels out of town for meetings/training, sometimes overnight.