This position is located in the Gallatin City-County Health Department and performs duties that support the vision, mission and goals of the Department. This position is responsible for providing a variety of professional and administrative nursing services within the health department to promote and maintain individual, group, and community health. Coordinates participation in community health activities and provides support for presentations on health topics. Administers immunizations to clients. Contact with the public in health care situations involves exposure to illness and disease. This position provides services in Spanish to individuals with limited English proficiency. This position reports to the Director of Health Provision. This position is grant funded. 

Each duty checked below makes up at least 20% of the job, and all other functions are included in Other Duties as Assigned. All duties below are essential functions unless otherwise indicated.

1. IMMUNIZATIONS
Administers immunizations to clients of varying ages, from newborn to the elderly.
Determines vaccines required and establishes appropriate schedule. Assesses contraindications, precautions, and risks.
Provides individualized instruction to patient or parent.
Keeps accurate records of immunizations.
Promotes immunizations through public education and social media when needed.
2. CHILDCARE HEALTH CONSULTATION 
Provides consultation and support to daycare providers according to the requirements of the granting agencies. This may include providing in-service to new providers, offering resources or responding to telephone queries, depending on the goals of the written annual plan.
Collaborates with Environmental Health Services and State licensing personnel to inspect child daycare establishments in accordance with Administrative Rules of Montana.
Inspects daycare immunization records, ensures correction of deficiencies.
Provides documentation for insertion into immunization quarterly reports.
3. COMMUNITY HEALTH
Enhances community health through participation in a wide variety of local and countywide activities that promote partnerships, collaboration and education associated with effective public health resources and services.
Provides nursing consultation to school personnel regarding issues related to student health, immunizations, and communicable diseases.
Collaborates with other organizations and agencies to provide comprehensive health services to individual clients, as well to develop population-based services.
In collaboration with the Director, participates on community boards and committees as a health care professional.
4. Other Duties as Assigned 
Perform a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor. This includes coordinating special projects and events, system and grant research and analysis, representing the profession and the County at meetings, conferences, and special events, attending continuing education and training as required and accounting of time electronically at the end of the workweek. 
If the County Commission proclaims a local emergency due to an actual or threatened disaster such as an earthquake, fire, riot, flood, etc., County employees may be required to provide services during the emergency and for a subsequent period of assessment and recovery.

This work requires knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing including: communicable disease follow up and interventions, vaccine preventable disease and related inoculations, educational methods for individuals, groups and the public in general, public health laws and rules, community resources, record keeping, and basic computer skills. Also required is the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to prioritize tasks according to deadlines, work independently and follow instructions; ability to multitask and seek appropriate guidance when needed; and use of a variety of medical equipment and tools. Because this is a generalist position, the incumbent must have knowledge of all of the Department’s programs in order to provide assistance as needed. Must possess self-initiative but be able to work as part of a team. Position also requires customer service standards with a high-level of skill in dealing with the public, sometimes under stressful situations.

Education and Experience 

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor of Science in nursing from a National League of Nursing (NLN) accredited school of nursing, licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Montana. Experience as a registered nurse in public health preferred. Fluency in Spanish language required.

Competencies/Knowledge-Skills-Abilities (KSA’s)

Public Health Tier: 1 – Frontline employeeContinuous Quality Improvement – Actively participates, accepts, and engages in the pursuit of departmental and programmatic improvement in everyday activities as well as quality improvement projects independently and as instructed by supervisor.
Inclusion – Effectively interacts with all clients, customers, partners, and co-workers with conscious regard for equality, equity, cultural sensitivity, and respect.
Team Building – Works effectively with other employees, maintains a positive attitude and contributes to the overall success of the department.
Communication – Communicates openly and honestly. Is willing to share information and ideas. Helps to define goals and objectives. Is cordial in dealing with others.
Reliability – Is dependable and completes assignments on time and within established quality standards. Arrives at work on time and is ready to perform their duties.
Organization – Manages workload effectively and is able to prioritize assignments appropriately as well as to plan for future demands.
Integrity – Is honest and trustworthy in dealing with others and providing value as a public servant.
Motivation – Strives for excellence seeks growth as an employee and maintains an interest in continuous improvement.
Productivity – Maintains a workload that is at or above acceptable standards for his/her position and delivers work products of good quality.
Purpose– Works towards achieving the department’s Mission and Vision through the conscious consideration and utilization of the guiding principles as detailed within the current Strategic Plan.

• T1: 1.4.4. Uses methods and tools for analyzing data
• T1: 1.6.2. Considers limitations of data

Policy Development/Program Planning Skills

• T1: 2.2.3. Contributes to development of strategies for implementing policies, programs, and services
• T1: 2.6.2. Implements organizational strategic plan

Communication Skills

• T1: 3.2.1. Communicates with linguistic and cultural proficiency (e.g., tailoring messages for different audiences, using age-appropriate materials, incorporating images, using plain language, implementing CLAS Standards, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, engaging interpreters and translators)
• T1: 3.2.6. Communicates information to influence behavior and improve health (e.g., promoting mask use, encouraging vaccinations, preparing for emergencies, discouraging tobacco use)

Health Equity Skills

• T1: 4.3.1. Describes the diversity of individuals and populations in a community (e.g., language, culture, values, socioeconomic status, geography, education, race, gender identity, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, profession, religious affiliation, mental and physical abilities, historical experiences)
• T1: 4.7.1. Identifies opportunities to advocate for health equity and social and environmental justice

Community Partnership Skills

• T1: 5.2.3. Builds relationships to improve community health and resilience
• T1: 5.4.3. Collaborates with community members and organizations to identify assets and resources for improving community health and resilience (e.g., community coalitions, community-based organizations, public libraries, hospitals, businesses, faith-based organizations, community organizers, community development financial institutions, civic groups, advocacy groups, academic institutions, federal grants, fellowship programs, environmental agencies and organizations)

Public Health Sciences Skills

• T1: 6.3.1. Accesses evidence from print and electronic sources to support decision making
• T1: 6.3.4. Applies evidence in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services (e.g., translating research for practice, considering public perspectives and opinions, navigating power dynamics)

Management and Finance Skills

• T1: 7.11.2. Engages individuals to achieve program and organizational goals
• T1: 7.13.2. Describes program performance standards and measures.

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

• T1: 8.4.1. Identifies opportunities for creativity and innovation
• T1: 8.6.6. Contributes to implementation of a shared vision

ACCOUNTABILITY

This position is accountable for provision of direct services and carrying out standardized practices and procedures to a wide variety of problems or situations. Work may often require the incumbent to interpret and apply rules, regulations and policies to situations that may be without specific protocols, and require individual professional judgment to determine the appropriate health services required. Confidentiality is maintained in all written and oral communications, in accordance with the Uniform Health Information Act or the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, whichever is more stringent.

INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION

The incumbent in this position and the supervisor jointly determine and develop work objectives. The nature of the assignments give significant responsibility to the incumbent for planning and organizing the work, resolving conflicts and determining methods and approaches most suited for achieving the objectives. Considerable judgment is required to apply very broad stated guidelines and policies. Work is not typically reviewed and is usually accepted without change.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Communication occurs both within and outside the work unit and includes contacts with school staff, community members and leaders, state, federal and local government agencies, and the general public. The contacts are typically to provide direct services of the Department, to exchange information, and to provide training and instruction to others.

ADDITIONAL COMPENSABLE FACTORS

Supervision Exercised

This position has no regular supervisory responsibility over other employees. The position may provide guidance and training to employees with less experience, occasionally fill in for supervisor, or coordinate special projects.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Work is performed in a wide variety of settings with clients and patients. Conducting vaccination clinics requires travel in inclement weather. Contact with the public in health care situations requires the incumbent to exercise universal precautions to prevent or minimize exposure to illness and disease. This position requires the incumbent to serve individuals and families who are under stress, mentally ill, or would be considered high-risk for other psychosocial reasons. At times, the incumbent would be required to handle contentious situations or angry public in a professional manner. The work requires moderate physical effort or exertion when carrying equipment or educational materials.