Public Health Nurse – Tuberculosis Unit

Overview

Be part of a team that protects the public’s health
El Paso County Public Health is seeking a Public Health Nurse with strong teamwork skills for our Tuberculosis Program. As a member of the TB team, you will develop expertise in TB care to support local healthcare providers and assess and treat patients of the TB clinic. The Public Health Nurse will see patients in the clinic and in the field to support timely, low-barrier access to care.

What You’ll Do
As the primary patient care RN for the TB Program, you will oversee all aspects of TB care from evaluation through treatment completion for both latent and active tuberculosis clients. Full training and support from experienced TB nurses will be provided to ensure your safety while working with infectious clients and to support clinical decision-making. Some primary duties of this role are as follows:

• Attend regular TB Program meetings to discuss the status of our patients
• Evaluate clients in clinic and in the field, including home visits and outreach events
• Lead contact investigations to stop the spread of TB and treat new infections
• Coordinate medication therapy with Medical Direction and program consultants
• Provide consultation services to physicians, hospital Infection Prevention staff, and the public
• Maintain patient records in the EpiTrax database

Who You Are
TB experience isn’t required — most RNs don’t have it. You’re a fit if you:

• Have a desire to become a subject matter expert in an important public health field
• Exercise sound clinical judgement and can manage a complex caseload with a high degree of autonomy
• Meet your commitments and follow through on plans made with teammates, partners, and clients
• Build strong therapeutic relationships with clients who may have language barriers or are unfamiliar with the
U.S. healthcare system
• Respond positively to feedback and are eager to grow in a specialty that directly protects public health

Spanish or other language skills are a major plus.

Why This Role?
This role provides the opportunity to gain experience in a unique public health specialty that heavily incorporates principles of infection prevention and epidemiology. If you want to expand on your foundational nursing knowledge while improving the health of our community as part of a highly motivated team, apply today.

Our hiring team reviews applications regularly and will be in touch within 5 business days. We won’t leave you wondering.

El Paso County Public Health — Building a Healthier Future, Together.

Public Health Nurse:
Hiring Range: $68,801 – $72,801 Annually
Anticipated Hiring Rate: $71,608.16 annually

Senior Public Health Nurse:
Hiring Range: $81,801 – $85,801 Annually
Anticipated Hiring Rate: $84,441.76 annually

This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm, subject to change.

Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.

Performs clinical public health nursing services in department clinics and in community outreach settings for assigned program area. Provides immunizations, immune globulin, placement and reading of tuberculosis (TB) skin tests, health testing, and education for individuals, families, and community groups. This position is part of the Public Health Nurse career progression series, which includes Public Health Nurse and Senior Public Health Nurse. An employee is eligible to advance to the next position within the series when the employee has met the criteria for advancement as notated within the job description and has received a recommendation from the Hiring Authority. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function. This position may be dependent on variable funding sources, including categorical grants.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities
Manages clinic activities, providing health and history assessment, disease prevention, and health promotion activities.
Provides clinical public health nursing services in accordance with program and department guidelines. Screens and assesses clients for recommended services based on standard protocols and industry best practices.
As assigned, prepares, measures, and administers immunizations to clients in a clinic setting; counsels clients about vaccine reactions and effectiveness; assesses for immediate reactions to vaccines.
Administers TB skin tests and interprets results as needed.
Assists clients and their families in establishing goals and outcomes. Provides education, support, and referral resources in assisting clients in attaining their targeted goals. Evaluates client progress toward stated goals.
Maintains records, files, data collection, and prepares correspondence.
Provides education, support, and referral resources in assisting clients in attaining their targeted goals. Evaluates client progress toward started goals.
Develops and maintains community relationships to support client referrals.
Assesses the impact of local environmental, cultural, and social patterns on the public’s health through collaboration with service providers and systems. Collects, compiles, and analyzes data to identify needs and service gaps for individuals, families, and communities and informs the agency of the need.
Recognizes patterns of illness indicative of disease and environmental hazards. Implements action necessary to curtail negative impacts of disease.
Participates in Public Health outreach activities in the community. Serves as liaison between the medical and public health communities.
Responds to inquiries from the public, community partners, and providers.
Provides expert Public Health Nursing consultation within the agency and the community. Articulates the mission of public health and develops partnerships to accomplish agency goals. Interprets rules and regulations to sub-groups in the community.
Practices within the professional nursing model as described by the Colorado Nurse Practice Act.
As a Public Health Nurse, may be called upon to provide immunizations or support emergency response activities outside of the assigned program area as needed for public health response activities for which El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) is the lead agency.
Participates in departmental emergency planning and response activities.
Promotes public health within the community.
Takes personal responsibility to provide exceptional customer service in order to promote and maintain a positive Public Health image, constructive working environment, and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.
Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised: This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of operations and services of the public health clinic and outreach activities, interviewing, principles of preventive health care, and the proper use of medical terminology.
Knowledge and understanding of agency policies and procedures.
Skill in demonstrating a cooperative, professional attitude to cultivate relationships both within and outside the organization.
Skill in prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks and the ability to complete projects in a timely manner.
Skill in training and presentation.
Skill in using a personal computer and various software packages, including Microsoft Office.
Ability to communicate, motivate, and organize projects among a broad spectrum of personnel, frequently under deadline pressure.
Ability to respond in a flexible manner and reprioritize work as situations change.
Ability to demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.
Ability to identify problems and work creatively to develop resolutions and recommend corrective actions to supervisor, considering the impact of actions.
Ability to identify results of efforts and problems identified/potential problems and to develop and recommend corrective actions.
Ability to write and maintain accurate records and reports to meet management objectives.
Ability to maintain the security of sensitive and confidential information.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Ability to perform under pressure and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
Ability to work in an environment with potential exposure to infections, blood, and contagious diseases.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or master’s degree in nursing (MSN).
Senior Nurse:Two years of nursing experience.

Preferred Education and Experience
Bilingual fluency and proficiency in English and Spanish, including reading, writing, speaking, and translation.

Licenses/Certificates
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Must have current Registered Nurse licensure to practice in the State of Colorado; nurses with compact licensure must meet all licensure requirements set forth by the Colorado Board of Nursing within ninety days of employment.
Must possess and maintain a valid CPR Certification.

Pre-Employment Requirements:
Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, drug screen, and physical examination.

Work Conditions
Work environment may include potential exposure to infections, blood, and contagious diseases; potential exposure to pets, secondhand smoke, and other environmental hazards. Some travel may be required; work may be assigned in various locations. Weekend and evening hours may be required. May be required to rotate day-call and night-call. Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 25 pounds and bend at waist or knees to get down to child’s level. Public Health employees are responsible for providing proof of vaccinations and/or tuberculosis testing as applicable to the specific position and must provide proof of completion of required vaccinations/testing or proof of initiation within sixty days of hire date.