Job Description

General Statement

---------------------


This position is classified as Public Health Nurse II by the North Carolina Division of Public Health.

The Public Health Nurse, under general supervision, provides advanced level of primary and preventive professional nursing work to individuals and families served by Union County Public Health Department programs. Independently demonstrates and implements techniques of professional nursing work and counsel for promotion of health, prevention of disease and protection of the health of the public. Serves as team lead for a sub-group within a larger project and/or serves as lead nurse in designated program. Assists in data collection and reviews associated with clinics and projects. Work is performed in accordance with the North Carolina Nurse Practice Act, agency regulations, program policies, provider orders and evidence-based public health nursing practice. Work is accomplished through clinic assignments, home visits, project assignments or contact with community providers and agencies. Employee must have strong understanding of public health concepts, nursing theory and practice. Employee must apply critical thinking skills ensuring orders, policies and procedures are followed. Interprets and implements public health laws, regulations and policies related to specific programs as they affect individuals, families and population systems.

Public Health is responsible for preparedness activities in the event of a natural disaster, disease outbreaks and other threats to the health of the public. Individuals in this role will be required to participate in preparedness response activities which may include mass vaccination clinics, sheltering and or dispensing medications from the Strategic National Stockpile.

In addition to primary duties as noted in the public health nurse job description, this position serves as the designated back-up nurse for the Tuberculosis (TB) and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) programs, providing coverage for case investigation, treatment follow-up, contact tracing, and adherence monitoring as needed. This position requires completion of specialized training for an Enhanced Role Registered Nurse (ERRN), enabling expanded clinical responsibilities in assessment, treatment, and case management. The nurse will deliver direct client care, conduct health education, participate in surveillance activities, and collaborate with interdisciplinary partners to improve health outcomes.

Essential Functions

-----------------------


Functions as a back-up nurse in assigned program.



Makes short-range plans and adjusts to meet the needs of the program and clients.



Takes lead role in coordinating and planning referrals and resources for clients.



Provides community outreach, functioning independently outside of the department.



Works with program lead in program development and development of community partnerships.



Takes active role in quality assurance and quality improvement activities as assigned.



Co-coordinates and/or oversees specific operations related to preparedness response drills and activities including disaster sheltering.



Obtains client assessment, including family history, medical history, interval history, nutritional history, psychosocial history, health literacy, and current status.



Performs testing and completes procedural processes per program requirements/needs.



Manages sub-group programs i.e. Newborn Screens, Lead, and/or as assigned.



Assesses clients' needs for services and/or follow-up based on department standing orders, policies and procedures.



Adapts Public Health Nursing care to individuals, families and groups based on cultural needs and differences.



Is mindful of cultural considerations while communicating with clients.



Dispenses medications according to the North Carolina Pharmacy Act / North Carolina Public Health Nurse dispensing rules.



Administers vaccines according to department standing orders, policy and procedures.

Maintains medical records per EHR Policy.



Follows all departmental policies and procedures.



Participates in community outreach events and department strategic planning as assigned.



Participates in UCDPH emergency response activities as needed.



Follows OSHA and HIPAA policy, standards and guidelines.



Complies with the North Carolina Nurse Practice Act.



Performs other related duties as assigned.

POSITION SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS:

Communicable Disease

Responsible for communicable disease reporting and investigation as reflected in the Agreement Addendum for the program under the supervision of the program's lead nurse. Communicable disease nurses may have duties related to general communicable disease, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, and immunizations. Other areas of responsibility may include employee health, infection control, rabies control and refugee health. This nurse will work in coordination with the lead nurses for those programs to help ensure that clinics are maintained, deliverables are met, and manuals with standing orders are kept current.

Qualifications

------------------

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Graduation from a school of professional nursing and have one (1) year of full-time work experience as a registered nurse.

Licenses or Certifications:

Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in North Carolina by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

Basic Life Support - CPR

Special Requirements:

Individuals employed in a local Health Department without a BSN Degree which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation or a master's in public health, are required to successfully complete the North Carolina Credentialed Public Health course within eighteen (18) months employment as a condition of continued employment to meet requirement described in administrative code 10A NCAC 46. 0301.

Completion of didactic and on the job supervision phase of expanded role specialty to program which assigned, if applicable.

Successful completion of the NC CCHC Training Course within the first year of employment if applicable.

In order to perform work in this role, within (30) thirty days of employment you must provide immunization records, provide proof of immunity, or receive/start the required vaccination series, as applicable, along with complying with any necessary screenings, as required by the Union County Division of Public Health and its Healthcare Personnel Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Policy, in accordance with applicable law.

This position may be subject to a fingerprint background check. Per NC General Statute 153A-94.2(b (Download PDF reader)), applicants for a position of employment required to work with children in any capacity will be required to electronically submit fingerprints to the NC State Bureau of Investigation for a state and national criminal history record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

B.S. in Nursing which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation and one (1) year of Public Health nursing experience.

Supplemental Information

----------------------------

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be physically able to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions including computers, stethoscope, hemostat, portable scales, emergency cart, telephones, etc. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a safe and secure work environment that may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands.

INSURANCE PROGRAMS

HEALTH INSURANCE

All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period. Preventative Care Coverage Prescription Coverage



Health & Wellness Center available exclusively to Union County employees, spouses and dependents covered under the health plan.

DENTAL INSURANCE

All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period.

LIFE INSURANCE

Basic Term life Insurance in the amount of one times the annual salary is provided for all full-time and benefitted part-time employees. Additional coverage for Life Insurance (Accident, Cancer, Long Term and Short Term) is available for purchase through payroll deduction for the employee and eligible dependents.

FINANCIAL PROGRAMS

RETIREMENT

Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all full-time and benefitted part-time employees. Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have five (5) years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.

NC401(k)

The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to full-time and benefitted part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a five percent (5%) contribution based on biweekly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.

457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to all employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

Options are available to regular full-time and benefitted part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Debit Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.



Health Care Spending Account - Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses.



Dependent Care Spending Account - Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses.

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.

TRUIST

No Overdraft Fees

$100 Negative Balance Buffer

Online and Mobile Banking with Bill Pay

LEAVE PROGRAMS

VACATION LEAVE

Vacation leave is accrued based on creditable years of service in the Local Government Employees Retirement System.

SICK LEAVE

For full-time County employees, sick leave accrues at eight (8.0) hours per month. Benefitted part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time rate. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.

SICK LEAVE TRANSFER FROM OTHER AGENCIES

Unused sick leave earned from another North Carolina Governmental Agency and/or entity, will be accepted and transferred to the County as follows: twelve (12) sick leave days will be transferred and added to the employees active sick leave balance after completion of six (6) months of employment. The remaining balance of sick leave documented for transfer at the time of employment will be recorded in the employees permanent personnel file. On the fifth anniversary of employment with the County, the remaining balance of transferred sick leave will be added to the employees active sick leave balance.

HOLIDAYS

There are 13 County recognized holidays (includes 3 days for Christmas) per year with 1 floating holiday available.

MILITARY LEAVE

Annual Training - 10 paid workdays granted.



Active Duty - 20 paid workdays granted.

CIVIL LEAVE

Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.

FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE

Parental Leave provides the employee paid leave for the first eight weeks of approved FML for the birth of a son or daughter, or placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

Educational Leave is available to regular full-time and benefitted part-time employees when participating in a job-related, short course, such as an update, not to exceed ten (10) consecutive working days.

VOLUNTEER TIME OFF

Volunteer Time Off will provide employees with 16 hours of paid time per calendar year to volunteer at approved Union County community partner agencies.

OTHER PROGRAMS

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.

AQUATIC AND FITNESS CENTER

We believe that staying healthy is more than just exercising regularly and eating well. Individual and family discount membership and monthly dues are available to full-time and benefitted part-time employees through payroll deduction.

NATIONAL COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM

The National College Savings Program is open to all employees. The Program is designed to provide certain tax advantages, encourage and facilitate saving to pay the costs of attending eligible institutions.