Registered Nurse II, (A246046-3), 210, Covid-19 Vaccine Capacity

Performs public health nursing services in disease control, primary care, testing, treatment, and patient care. Manages COVID-19 immunization efforts and personnel. Forms part of the immunization primary care and COVID management team and assures patient care, triage, screening, and vaccinations. Direct observed therapy is conducted to ensure there are no adverse reactions and any preventive education is provided. Will support all nursing services, including but not limited to: disease control, epidemiology, maternal and child health, and family preventive care. Conducts disease investigations, communicable disease management, and provides preventive care. May assess patient needs, provides ongoing nursing support, and medical care attention as needed. Provides clinical education/counseling based on patient need and program requirements. Complies with the City of Laredo customer service initiatives. Assures all epidemiology, preventive, and disease control is done for program management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Manages staff, program, and activities for the COVID-19 vaccination program(s).

• Follows nursing guidelines and standard of care in infectious disease control in particular for immunization, prevention, and epidemiology.

• Follows strict infection control and respiratory universal precautions.

• Provides disease control investigations and takes appropriate action to reduce public health threats.

• Provides health care services and assessment in primary care, infection control, immunizations, and chronic disease services.

• Documents complete and accurate information in medical records; counsels patients on health care or disease control; ensures patients receive accurate information.

• Provides instructions on patient care, prevention, and immunizations.

• Screens patients and assures all patient records are complete.

• Conducts surveillance activities and adheres to disease control reporting procedures.

• Completes documentation of services in patient records in accordance with nursing standards, funding source requirements, etc.

• Carefully and accordingly ensures patient medical records are maintained and fully complete with all rules and regulations pertaining to public health and medical laws.

• Assists the medical team in the process of assessing and tracking patients in primary care, public health emergency preparedness, immunizations, etc.

• Prepares appropriate public health and medical forms for each patient.

• Assists with outreach and health education and supervises staff for direct observed therapy.

• Assists in maintaining good communication between staff, visitors, and other business contacts.

• Provides essential disease control surveillance, disease control investigations, preventive care, and public health emergency response services.

• Assists with disaster response and, if warranted, is on call 24 hours.

• Must follow all rules of telephone courtesy in all telephone communications.

• May be required to drive a medical mobile clinic.

• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of basic nursing clinical care in a primary care setting.

• Knowledge of disease and infectious disease control.

• Knowledge of immunization methods.

• Knowledge of professional nursing techniques and basic sciences.

• Knowledge of disease interviewing principles, techniques, and disease control and prevention.

• Knowledge of principles of public health nursing, maternal child health, women's health, epidemiology, disease control and prevention, goals, and general methods of practice used by public health professionals.

• Knowledge of techniques in public health promotion and teaching.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to apply principles and techniques of public health nursing, epidemiology, disease control and prevention, immunization, treatment, and care.

• Ability to work productively with individuals, professionals, and other groups in the community.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; and write reports, correspondence, and procedural manuals as needed.

• Ability to seek and utilize supervisory and consultative services.

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups both orally and in writing; to plan and execute work; and to exercise good judgment in public health care delivery.

• Ability to speak before public groups and make presentations.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons from a variety of backgrounds.

• Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.

• Ability to take and follow directions from supervisors and management and team lead disease control and surveillance activities.

• Ability to give directions to and gain support from assigned staff.

• Ability to perform strenuous and routine work especially in regards to public health emergency response.

• Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.

• Ability to maintain effective professional working relationships with other employees and respond to general public needs.

• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.

• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language and orally in the Spanish language.

• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.

• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Effort Requirements

Position will have the following exposures

• Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards.        Occasional outside work.

• Exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

Work Environment Locations

Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments

Seldom

• Construction site

• Warehouse environment

Sometimes

• Outdoor environment

• Street environment (near moving traffic)

• Confined space

• Vehicles

Frequently

• Office or similar indoor environment

Exposures

Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements

Seldom

• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)

• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)

• Moving mechanical parts

• Fumes or airborne particles

• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances

• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Sometimes

• Individuals who are hostile or irate

• Individuals with known violent backgrounds

• Communicable diseases

Travel

Position will require the employee to travel

Seldom

• International travel

Sometimes

• Regional travel

• National travel

Frequently

• Local travel

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate's degree* or two (2) years of college coursework in Nursing or a related field

• At least one (1) year of experience in healthcare, vaccine administration, or related experience

• Council of Higher Education Accreditation (C.H.E.A.)

Proof of TB Test/Screening will be required to be presented prior to employment if apply for the Health Department.Required License and Certifications

• State of Texas Registered Nurse License is required.
• CPR Certification is required.

Copies of certifications must be attached to application

Valid Licenses or Certifications

• Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.

As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.

Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.

Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7480, two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.

City of Laredo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply. Must be able to function in a principle-based organization that has a culture built on character and core values.