Lafayette County Health Department

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

Reports to:                                       Agency Director/Health Officer

1. Provides appropriate prevention and control of communicable diseases through education and intervention using epidemiological principles.
2. Plans, organizes, implements, and evaluates immunization program.
3. Participates in emergency preparedness planning, response and recovery.
4. Participates in ongoing community assessment program planning and implementation.
5. Coordinates assigned grant activities, as directed by the Director.
6. Assists in the collection of data for statistical information/analysis.
7. Provides screening, referral and follow up for the purpose of identifying health needs.
8. Collaborates on environmental health and human health hazard situations.
9. Promotes Public Health prevention programs.
10. Plans and implements the school nursing programs in the school assigned.
11. Assists in the preparation/contribution to policies and procedures relating to programs this position is involved in.
12. Teaches and advises individuals and families on the control, treatment and prevention of disease, and the maintenance of good general health and wellness.
13. Teaches/provides information to groups according to the principles of healthy living as assigned.
14. Assumes responsibility for the operation of clinics and special projects when assigned.
15. Represents the Agency in community groups and activities, task forces, coalitions, work groups, educational presentations, etc as assigned.
16. Assumes responsibility for office intake when available.
17. Participates in the orientation, teaching, supervision and evaluation of staff as requested.
18. Must plan and manage caseload efficiently.
19. Participates in in-service, continuing education activities, staff meetings and conferences.
20. Performs other activities as assigned.
21. Assumes responsibility of agency programs in absence of Director.

1. Knowledge of the theory, techniques, practices and standards of professional nursing.
2. Knowledge of public health programs including nursing, environmental health, and communicable disease.
3. Knowledge and certification in ICS(Incident Command System) classes (100/200/300/400/700).
4. Skill in the administration of immunizations.  Knowledge in the use of various health-related screening tools.
5. Ability to work independently in meeting a variety of public health regulations and requirements.
6. Excellent communications skills: courteous and respectful of clients/patients/public, ability to speak to groups/give oral group presentations.
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, community groups, school personnel, and state and regional public health agencies.
8. Must be able to record/document/assemble client records accurately.
9. Must have excellent time management and organizational skills.
10. Knowledge of HIPAA/Confidentiality laws for Public Health.
11. Knowledge of State Statutes associated with the provision of public health services.
12. Ability to seek and utilize supervision to improve professional practice. Must be able to understand and carry out directions and instructions.
13. Basic computer/word processing skills

• BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) from a nursing program accredited by the national professional nursing education accrediting organization or from a nursing program accredited by the board of nursing, either of which shall include preparation in public health nursing (per WI Statute DHS 139.08 and requirements of WI Chapter 441.)
• One-two years of experience performing nursing duties related to the position preferred.
• Must be licensed to practice professional nursing in the State of Wisconsin.
• Completion of a TB Screening at time of appointment and annually during employment.
• Proof of current immunizations at time of appointment.
• Current CPR/AED certification desirable or will attain within six months of employment.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a private vehicle for work related duties that meets county insurance requirements.

• Typical working environment is within a non-smoking temperature-controlled office, or similar setting.
• Emergency or community settings; may be subjected to extreme temperatures, weather conditions, communicable disease, and chemical or safety hazards.

• Ability to operate office equipment, e.g., multi-line telephones, copiers facsimile machines, typewriters, personal computers, network access, calculators, etc.
• Ability to exert very moderate physical effort in sedentary to light work activity, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling, and stair climbing.

• May need to work after hours and some weekends.
• May be asked to provide oversight to agency when Director is not available.
• Must treat all information with the utmost of confidentiality.
• The individual will be exposed to public contacts, travel, sitting, keyboarding and moderate lifting.