Public Health Nurse

About the role

To provide comprehensive public health nursing services to individuals, families, and the community, with a primary focus on immunization, communicable disease prevention and control, sexually transmitted disease services, and maternal/infant health. The position promotes community health through education, disease prevention, screening, treatment, case management, home visits, and coordination with healthcare providers and community resources.

Responsibilities

• Immunization Program: Prepares and administers immunizations appropriately; educates parents/caregivers about immunizations including after-care, contraindications, health benefits, and recommended immunization schedules; monitors immunization status in community; provides consultation to community regarding immunizations as needed.
• Communicable Disease Control Program: Provides the community with needed resources and information on communicable disease prevention; conducts investigations as needed on communicable diseases and TB; assists TB patients with medication compliance including Directly Observed Therapy (DOT).
• STD program: Screens, tests, treats and refers clients as needed for sexually transmitted diseases.
• Other Duties: Home visitations with mothers and infants; vaccine inventory/ordering; attend staff meetings and conferences as appropriate; complete other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in nursing.
• Two (2) years full-time paid professional experience as a practicing RN.
• Current RN license from the State of Utah.
• Current CPR certification or ability to obtain.
• Substitution: Associate's Degree in nursing with four (4) additional years of experience in place of Bachelor's Degree.
• Valid Driver License at time of employment (or ability to obtain).
• Ability to provide own transportation.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and perform strenuous activities requiring flexibility, stamina, and overall good health.
• Ability to pass a full criminal background check and drug screening test.

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of public health nursing.
• Familiarity with common public and community health care resources.
• Understanding of social and economic factors influencing individual and community health.
• Understanding of differing cultural, religious and social attitudes about hygiene, family planning, child care, and health treatment.
• Ability to properly handle contaminated items.
• Knowledge of causes, control, detection, prevention and treatment of common communicable diseases, environmental illnesses, sexually transmitted diseases, and food/water-borne illnesses.
• Skill in computer programs including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing, and email use.
• Good written, verbal, and public communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other agencies, and the community.
• Ability to work well under pressure, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, work well in team situations, meet deadlines, and work independently on a day-to-day basis.
• Spanish speaking preferred.

Benefits

Bear River Health Department offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long term disability insurance. Participation in Utah Retirement Systems (URS), generous paid time off and holidays, and many voluntary benefit options. The department strives to provide competitive pay, professional development, and employee wellness programs.

Schedule

Must have a flexible schedule, available for scheduled work in the evening and/or weekends as job requires.