Tuberculosis Nurse Consultant

Under the general supervision of the Tuberculosis (TB) Program Manager and with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, performs complex nursing duties in the Tuberculosis program. Assists the Tuberculosis Program Manager as a resource at the regional and local level on nursing processes and case management practices for persons diagnosed with suspected or confirmed TB disease or infection.

Ensures appropriate, comprehensive, and coordinated care for the duration of TB treatment. Performs comprehensive case review of all reported suspects and cases. Provides education to patients, contacts and others regarding TB prevention, transmission, and treatment plans, and to private health care providers on the recommendations given from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Consults with the regional medical director and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) recognized medical experts on complicated TB suspects, cases or infected persons as needed.

Assists with quality assurance and program evaluations of TB elimination activities. Adheres to infection control measures and assists with the Respiratory Protection Program and annual TB testing. Work is performed within state and national guidelines and approved regional Tuberculosis Standing Delegation Orders with demonstrated nursing competences in the assessment, evaluation, and management of suspects, cases, and contacts.

Essential Job Functions:

Evaluates patients for TB risk factors, clinical presentation, and screening results, as well as radiologic and

bacteriologic evidence of disease. Ensures each patient is on an acceptable regimen; monitors for adverse

effects and toxicity. Reviews patient records to monitor and evaluate treatment regimen orders, treatment

plans and adherence, treatment barriers and interventions, treatment completion, and identification,

screening, and medical evaluation of high-risk contacts. Provides technical oversight for the nursing clinic

staff within PHR-7 and regionally funded local health departments. Prepares and maintains case review

forms and schedules and facilitates case reviews. (20%)

Assists with the development, review, and revision of program procedures, disease prevention strategies,

priorities, and standards for achieving program goals. Reviews drafts and makes recommendations on TB

standing orders; instructs on and assists to interpret approved standing orders used in clinical practice.

Assists in developing quality assurance tools and conducts quality assurance and program evaluations. (15%)

Educates medical providers, stakeholders (i.e., local officials), and general public on TB related topics.

Conducts assessments to determine the educational need concerning reporting, prevention, and treatment

of TB. Evaluates available training materials, prepares and disseminates TB educational materials in a

variety of formats and provides informal and formal information classes. (15%)

Communicates with private healthcare providers in the community caring for these individuals, providing

specific and detailed clinical guidance according to the recommendations given from the CDC, IDSA, and

ATS. Takes appropriate steps to address plans of care that do not adhere to current national and state

recommendations. (10%)

Assists the lead investigator in complex or extraordinarily extensive contact investigations. Ensures high

priority contacts are screened and evaluated. Ensures high risk and pediatric contacts are on window

prophylaxis per guidelines. (10%)

Consults with the regional medical director, regional APRN, and Texas DSHS recognized medical experts

on complicated TB suspects, cases or infected persons as needed. Reviews recommendations and

consults on treatment; works with regional/local health department staff to assure recommendations are

followed. (5%)

Serves as a regional TB subject matter expert and provides consultative and technical assistance services

in accordance with state and national guidelines to state funded local health department TB staff within

PHR7. (5%)

Directly cares for persons with suspected/ confirmed TB disease, their contacts, and persons with TB

infection as needed in the region and at regionally funded local health departments when necessary.

Educates patients and family members on TB transmission and treatment processes in patient's preferred

language and reading level. (5%)

Participates or leads multidisciplinary meetings and trainings to review all aspects of TB case management

and provide guidance and recommendations to promote consistent and optimal patient care. Assists with

training newly hired regional and local TB nursing staff as needed. (5%)

Responsible for adhering to infection control directives to minimize TB transmission. Trains DSHS and

local health department staff and other health care facilities within PHR-7 in infection control procedures

and instructs patients on permitted and prohibitive activities recommended by CDC, IDS, and ATS.

Monitors environment to ensure infection control equipment is in working order. Assists with the

Respiratory Protection Program and annual TB testing. (5%)

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively

participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/

or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift

pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of the CDC tuberculosis treatment protocols and guidelines including directly observed therapy, targeted screening for latent TB infection and contact and outbreak investigations;

Knowledge of and ability to interpret public health laws and regulations;

Knowledge and understanding of current social, economic and public health issues;

Knowledge of Tuberculosis epidemiology and transmission, and case management techniques;

Knowledge of and ability to comply with Texas DSHS confidentiality guidelines;

Skill in performing basic adult and pediatric physical assessment, obtaining relevant clinical history, and developing a care plan;

Skill in case analysis and providing clinical case management consultative services;

Skill in interpreting treatment, radiographic and bacteriological data;

Skill in communicating effectively with others (internal/external) both orally and in writing;

Skill in using a personal computer and applicable software programs (Microsoft Office and Adobe)

Ability to perform general nursing skills

Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions;

Ability to apply time management principles to tasks;

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public and medical community using tact and diplomacy;

Ability to work well and effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and work independently exercising sound judgment;

Ability to plan, organize, and deliver training/educational presentations.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

Must be registered as a Registered Nurse in the State of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

Current and valid driver's license for the State of Texas. Initial Selection Criteria:

1.Registered Nurse in the State of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact

2.Willing to travel > 30%

3.One year of nursing clinical experience required

4.Experience in Tuberculosis Elimination, Infection Prevention, or Public Health Nursing preferred Additional Information:

Attends work on a regular schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs duties as assigned.

This position is headquartered in Temple, Texas and may be eligible for up to 2 days of teleworking after the 6-month probationary period.

Travel consists of one-day trips during the workday to regional sub-office clinics or local health departments. Occasional overnight trips within Texas occur to attend trainings or conferences.

DSHS is a Tobacco-free workplace.

Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, annual vaccination against influenza (and hepatitis B if applicable).

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/about/jobs-hhs

See about our excellent health benefits.

https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance/Health-BenefitsL

Check out the retirement annuity.

https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance/Retirement

And 401(k) and 457 Programs.

https://ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Retirement/Texa$aver-401(k)-457-Program

Current employees as of August 31, 2024 will receive a legislatively approved pay increase effective Sept. 1,2024. It will be 5% of each classified employee's base pay on Aug. 31, 2024, or $250 per month, whichever is greater.

MOS Code:

66X, 290X, and 46XX

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

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