Public Health Nurse

To assess public health nursing needs and integrate community involvement; to evaluate health trends and risk factors and determine priorities for targeted interventions; develop and advocate public policy and targeted health promotion and disease prevention activities; and to provide health education, care management and to assure access to care to individuals and families.

Essential Functions:

1. Assess and evaluate public health nursing needs and integrate community involvement; assess and evaluate health care services to ensure clients are informed of programs and services available; assist with utilization of available services. 

2. Evaluate health trends and risk factors; determine priorities for targeting interventions; monitor, anticipate and respond to public health issues. 

3. Develop and advocate for public health policy; perform targeted health promotion and disease prevention activities; Implements strategic communication using social and direct media to increase public awareness and education on health and wellness subjects 

4. Collaborate with other community groups, establish and build community coalitions; network, partner and cultivate relationships with allied health professionals, community organizations, professional associations and others. 

5. Provide health education to individuals, families, schools, agencies and care providers; assure access to care and case management for individuals and families; serve as a liaison with physicians and other health care providers, as well as community organizations; serve as a resource and mentor on a wide variety of health and wellness subjects. 

6. Participate in emergency planning and response, including surveillance, disease and health event investigation; identify, monitor and provide communicable disease case management. 

7. Manage budgetary resources; write grants to secure funding; create and compile appropriate records and reports. 

Marginal Functions:

1. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. 2. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public health nursing.

Knowledge: Public health nursing practices and procedures; health, educational and social agencies, and community resources for a multi-county area; principles of education and effective methods of teaching; ethical and legal implications of maintaining client/customer confidentiality; modern office equipment, computers and communication technology; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations; emergency policies and procedures, planning and response; multiple strategies for intervention, programs and advocacy; interdisciplinary activities of core public health functions of assessment, assurance and policy development; grant application procedures and processing. 

Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities; possess critical thinking skills, maintain positive, caring and compassionate attitude necessary to perform duties; maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties. 

Abilities: Operate various screening tools and medical equipment; inform, educate and motivate others with regard to public health; interpret and explain city, county and state policies and procedures related to public health; prepare clear and concise reports; exercise independent judgment based on sound nursing practice; staff and lead coalitions and advisory boards; initiate and direct groups of people working toward a common goal; advocate for local, state and federal laws that impact public health policy; manage and coordinate the work of assigned staff; provide technical assistance to other agencies; provide leadership and serve as a role model and team player; adhere to safety practices; manage budgetary resources, write grants to secure funding.

Experience: Two years of experience as a registered nurse preferred. 

Education or Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in nursing. 

License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a North Dakota Registered Nurse (RN) license. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a CPR certification and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license.