Public Health Nurse II - APC (10374)

Essential Functions

• Uses the nursing process to provide case management services to an assigned caseload.
  • Completes initial client/family assessments and problem lists.
  • Accurately identifies and prioritizes patient problems.
  • Performs home, residence telemedicine and phone follow-up as indicated.
  • Collaborates with client, physicians, and other providers to develop a comprehensive plan or care.
  • Effectively communicates care plans and other client-related activities both verbally and in writing to appropriate personnel and agencies.
  • Utilizes clinical skills and assessments to work autonomously in outpatient, community settings and to communicate with physicians and other providers regarding alterations in the plan of care.
  • Demonstrates the ability to use teaching, learning and counseling skills.
• Assist in the Adult Primary Care Clinics as assigned.
  • Obtain a health history, routine lab work, and make referrals to Primary Care Providers for any abnormal or questionable findings.
  • Perform EKG, vision screenings, and hearing screenings as indicated or ordered by providers.
  • Administering a variety of medications and treatments under the written, verbal, and standing orders by physicians and midlevel providers.
  • Observe the patient for reactions, document vital signs and record pertinent information in the patient EMR.
  • Follow up with all Primary Care patient referrals, lab follow-ups, medication refill requests, and patient drug assistance programs.
  • Provide direct patient education and collaboration related to lab findings, disease management, and care plan compliance.
  • Acts as a client advocate for the development of community resources.
  • Maintains a directory of available services by geographical area and updates others about new services.
  • Assist clients with the initial completion of medication assistance applications and updates as indicated, obtain orders for medications as appropriate, maintain log of assistance application status, log and dispense medications delivered to our facility for specific patients.
  • Consults others to identify potential community resources for resolving client health, psychosocial or financial problems.
  • Functions as liaison to external agencies and relays information to others which may impact care and/or services of clients.
  • Maintains an adequate caseload of clients to fund this position.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Maintain certification in CPR.
  • Serve as an advocate for families in the community.
  • Participate in audit reviews and program reviews as necessary.
  • Participate in orientation of students and/or new employees as necessary.
  • In times of disaster, function as a health professional in a Red Cross Shelter.
  • Other nursing duties as assigned by Supervisor, Deputy Director, or Health Director.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing and one year of professional nursing experience.
• Licenses Or Certifications Required By Statue Or Regulation:
  • A current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the NC Board of Nursing.
  • Valid NC Drivers License

Additional Information

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of, and skill in, the application of nursing theory, practice, principles, and techniques employed in the field of public health and related programs.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and practices of public health.
• Knowledge of available resources and organizations and the ability to coordinate these as needed.
• General knowledge of current social and economic problems relating to public health, including health disparities.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee the work of others.
• Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions.
• Ability to work in partnership with patients and with other service providers to elicit needed information and to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to record accurately services rendered and to interpret and explain records, reports, and medical information.
• Ability to participate in professional organizations and advance clinical expertise through attendance at conferences, reading journals, etc.
• Ability to maintain a professional network among colleagues.
• Ability to participate in quality improvement (QI) activities.
• Ability to change practice behaviors as a result of data.
• Ability to encourage clinical problem identification and resolution activities.
• Role modeling use of QI principles and techniques.
• Ability to identify, address, and report quality issues identified through data sources.