Community Health Nurse-LPN

About the role

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

Responsibilities

• Investigates, reports and follows up on all 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 needs.
• Provides counseling, guidance and referral of clients or general public to appropriate service agencies, physicians or other providers.
• Maintains accurate data and nursing notes for the purpose of record referral by staff; by state program representatives for audit purposes; or 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.
• Maintains professional interaction with other members of the health care community in delivering necessary client services.
• Participates in training and exercises in public health emergency preparedness, including response to natural and deliberate public health emergencies, as deemed necessary.
• Provides health-related information to individuals upon request.
• Follows up on clients as appropriate to encourage continued health treatment and to monitor progress and schedule return appointments.
• Prepares necessary paperwork for clients.
• Maintains all medical supplies and equipment necessary for clinic services.
• Attends all manner of training opportunities according to need, timeliness and funding.
• Serves on various boards, advisory councils, community groups, etc as a representative of the Health Department of the City of Saint Joseph, with the intended purpose to promote positive health principles for individuals and the community.
• Upon request, serves as a media contact regarding health issues/concerns.

Requirements

• Current, active State of Missouri Licensed Practical Nurse license required and ability to certify under state programs.
• One to three years of experience in a related field preferred.
• Ability to acquire appropriate certifications through Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services or MO-DHSS (HIV prevention/counseling, oral testing, temp Medicaid, principles of epidemiology).
• Ability to obtain and maintain BLS (Basic Life Support) for the Healthcare Professional certification.

Skills

• Knowledge of the principles, philosophy, practices and specialized equipment utilized in community health nursing.
• Knowledge of 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 health care needs, conducting physical assessments and administering proper medical treatment.
• Skills in venipuncture and injections in adults, children and infants.
• Skills in capillary blood collections for lead and hemoglobin in children.
• Skills in understanding and carrying out technical procedures.
• Skills in maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Skills in working with the general public and co-workers.
• Skills in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Skills in prioritizing, being adaptable, and diverse.
• Skills in becoming familiar with local and state health guidelines.
• Visual and hearing acuity a must.
• Eye-hand coordination imperative.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent required.

Benefits

None specified.

Pay

Negotiable.

Schedule

None specified.