Public Health Nurse

The Public Health Nurse performs direct public health nursing and education services in the community. Responsible for working with public health programs including specific grant programs, population focused, and community-oriented nursing care.  When designated, is responsible for this agency and its personnel in the absence of the Public Health Manager/Health Officer.  

Essential Job Functions 

1. Performs surveillance, prevention, investigation and control of communicable disease, acute and chronic disease.
2. Provides community screening, health promotion, and immunization services.
3. Train for and participate in emergency response planning for the county, and respond in the event of an emergency.
4. Provide direct nursing assessment and follow-up for families and individuals regarding health care needs utilizing the nursing process.
5. Provide skilled nursing care and education to selected populations including Women Infant & Children (WIC), Prenatal Care Coordination, First Breath, Lead screening, & Comprehensive Support Team Program (CST) families.
6. Assist with documentation and record keeping of services provided including Secure Pubic Health Electronic Record Environment (SPHERE), Real-Time Online Statewide Information Environment Security Awareness Training (ROSIE), Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR), and Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS).
7. Collaborates with public and private organizations to assess, and address community health needs.
8. Plans, conducts, and evaluates public health education programs for agencies, community organizations, or the general public.

 
General Job Functions

1. Serves as resource person to new and/or less experienced nursing personnel.
2. Participates in workshops and in-service education.
3. Assist in orientation of new nursing personnel and student nurses.

Training and Experience

1. Bachelor of Science Degree from an N.L.N. certified college or university school of nursing and current licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Wisconsin.
2. Two or more years of clinical and public health nurse work experience is preferred.
3. Current valid Wisconsin driver's license required.
4. Valid American Heart Association BLS certification.
5. Training and experience in public health emergency preparedness, including Incident Command Structure (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) is preferred. Must obtain IS-700 NIMS and ICA-100 Certification within the first year of hire.

 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing, and the sociological aspects of community health programs and of public health education programs.
2.  Ability to exercise good independent judgment in making decisions and use of discretion in handling confidential information.
3.  Ability to perform quality nursing services according to professional standards.
4.  Ability to read, comprehend, and communicate, both verbally and in writing.
5.  Ability to use tact and courtesy in maintaining an effective working relationship with department employees, county supervisors, county officials, and general public.
6. Ability to implement assigned components of Public Health programs.
7. Ability to travel to client's home, clinics, and sites throughout the County.
8. Working knowledge of Microsoft® Office Suite of software and data base programs.