Community Health Nurse - Lead *Internal Only*

JOB TITLE: Community Health Nurse

• Lead

DEPARTMENT: Health

DIVISION: Clinic/Community Health Services

SALARY: NEGOTIABLE

CLOSING DATE: Until Filled

Job Summary/Scope

• Provides nursing services for the community including Prenatal Case Management, Immunizations, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), Lead Case Management, Communicable Disease, Emergency Response, and all other program services. The Community Health Nurse

• Lead will contribute to the overall responsibilities of the Clinic and serve as lead when the Clinic Supervisor is not available. No budgetary responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides nursing care, necessary referrals to resources or services, and related intervention activities designed to meet the assessed needs of the individual client or community.

• Investigates, reports, and follows up on all manner of health issues that might endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the public.

• Plans and participates in special health clinics or outreach activities as determined by community need, including establishing and maintaining community partnerships to support and expand all Clinic services through professional interactions.

• Maintains accurate data and required nursing notes to State of Missouri and other related standards for auditing purposes; for use as a data base for program support, including client records; and prepares reports for use by supervisors and district or State health staff.

• Applies guidelines established by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

• Participates in training, exercises, and real-time responses in the area of public health emergency preparedness.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Upon request, serves as a media contact regarding health issues/concerns.

• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Employee Behavior and Conduct

City employees shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and shall exhibit and extend such professional conduct appropriate for the circumstances to those with whom they come into contact both internally and externally during the performance of their duties. Examples of professional conduct include, but are not limited to, being communicative, informative, fair, honest, and respectful.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, philosophy, practices, and specialized equipment utilized in community health nursing, including case management, lead poisoning prevention; HIV/AIDS/STD prevention counseling and testing, immunization schedules and updates, TB testing and disease processes, communicable disease processes.

• Skills in public speaking, planning, organizational, and some supervisory qualities.

• Skills in appraising care needs, conducting physical assessments, and administering proper medical treatment, including venipuncture and injections in adults, children, and infants, and capillary blood collections for lead and hemoglobin in children.

• Ability to understand and carry out technical procedures.

• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality.

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Ability to prioritize, be adaptable, and diverse working with the general public and staff.

• Ability to become familiar with local and state health guidelines.

• Must have a high level of competency.

• Current, active State of Missouri Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse license required and ability to certify under state programs, and a valid driver's license, required.

• Ability to acquire appropriate certifications through DHSS or other agencies offering required, professional licensure (including, but not limited to, HIV prevention/counseling, oral testing for sexually transmitted infections, temporary Medicaid certifier, principles of epidemiology course, Basic Life Support).

• Public health experience

Material and Equipment Directly Used

Operates a personal computer, printer and various software packages, and other general office materials and equipment. Uses a variety of specialized health assessment and treatment equipment, materials, and medicines such as syringes, blood pressure equipment, blood sample collection equipment, and pregnancy tests. Use of a personal vehicle may be required.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements

Majority of work performed in an indoor clinical setting with occasional outdoor activities. Physical activity includes stooping, bending, reaching and requires standing for extended periods of time. Work involves oral communication via telephone or in person. Required to access files to retrieve work materials. Seldom need to lift more than 50 pounds. Exposure to loud noise. Hazards may include such things as needle sticks, handling of blood and other bodily fluids. Some evening and weekend work required. Some overnight or day travel may be required for business purposes.

Education

Candidate must be a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse licensed in Missouri, or able to expediently obtain a Missouri licensure. Associate's degree or equivalent required. Bachelor's in nursing preferred. One to three years of experience in a related field preferred.

Passing of a drug screening required prior to appointment.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City is a Governmental entity subject to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,

which requires that otherwise qualified handicapped individuals be protected from discrimination.