Public Health Licensed Vocational Nurse

Under general supervision, monitors, investigates and controls communicable diseases; investigates, immunizes, educates and conducts serological testing to prevent and/or stop the spread of disease and promote public health as part of the County’s Health Department.

This is an essential duty position in relation to a designated Public Health Emergency and local disasters. During public health emergencies and local disasters, this position will be required to take on additional tasks and work additional hours to meet the needs of the community as it relates to the Health Department.In the event of a public health emergency, you shall report to work if ordered to do so by either of the following officials or positions: (1) District Attorney’s Office (Civil Division), (2) County Judge/Emergency Management Coordinator, (3) Commissioners’ Court liaison or a member of Commissioners’ Court, (4) Director of Public Health Services, or (5) PHEP Program Manager.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills.  This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. 

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs basic patient assessments, vaccine administration and patient education.
• Reviews patient vaccine records and charts for accuracy; reviews and discusses history, allergies and previous adverse reactions to vaccines or medications with patient; promotes the use of vaccines.
• Research patient records as needed up to and including researching via state database or telephone calls and/or email to schools, doctor offices, etc.
• Examines the administration site; administers vaccines; monitors patients for adverse reactions to vaccines and administers emergency protocols as needed; ensures the safety of patients.
• Answers and directs phone calls; reviews and accepts applications for indigent clients 
• Provides information and responds to questions from health professionals, students, parents, patients and the general public regarding clinic operations, health care and vaccines.
• Provides orientation, education and supervision to school nurses, students and doctor’s office staff. 
• Screens patients for tuberculosis; administers Tuberculin Skin Test; reports suspects; initiates house quarantine.  
• Receives reports from doctors or hospitals regarding patients testing positive for Hepatitis B; offers immunization and education to the families; reports cases as required by law.  
• Provides staff support to the STD and/or TB Clinic or other satellite locations (could include venipuncture).
• Attends seminars and meetings to ensure quality practices and keep current on necessary information and skills.
• Processes monthly patient recalls; accesses patient records and sends notices regarding past due vaccinations.
• Maintains and records temperature for refrigerators and freezers.
• Performs data entry into automated records systems; retrieves information as needed.
• Performs an inventory of office, medical and vaccine supplies; places orders for additional supplies.
• Transports vaccines to other clinics on an emergency basis.
• Prepares various reports; orders medical supplies and vaccines. 
• May provide work direction to other medical technical or staff support employees.
• During public health emergencies (and local disasters), will be required to take on additional tasks and work additional hours to meet the needs of the community as it relates to the Health Department.

Note:  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position and is assigned by the supervisor.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Experience and Training Guidelines:

High school diploma or equivalent and technical training in a state-approved school of vocational training; AND one year of    nursing experience in a hospital, school or doctor’s office; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.   

Knowledge of:

• Anatomy, pathophysiology and biology.
• Texas Vaccines for Children Program.
• School and childcare facility immunization requirements.
• Laboratory procedures and processes.
• Principles and practices of case management.
• Communicable diseases.
• Principles and practices of disease surveillance.
• Vaccine administration and treatment.
• Modern office practices and procedures.
• Principles and practices of effective customer service.
• Records management principles and practices.
• Department policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment. 

Skill in:

• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ensuring strict patient confidentiality.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with managers, supervisors, employees, external public agencies and organizations, school nurses, physician’s offices, vendors, contractors, suppliers, sales representatives, clients and the general public. 
• Using initiative, discretion and decision making within established procedures, guidelines and rules.
• Defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts and drawing valid conclusions.
• Using various medical equipment.
• Providing effective customer service.
• Operating a personal computer and various software applications.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Texas license as a Vocational Nurse.

Certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. 

A valid Texas driver’s license and reliable transportation is required.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work of this job is typically performed in an office work environment similar to that of a traditional medical office or medical clinic environment(health department office) and also involves field work outside the office which may be noisy and which may involve biohazards. Exposure to communicable diseases is possible.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the non-essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds. Exposure to communicable diseases is possible. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

The incumbent in this job must be knowledgeable about and follow the County's safety policies and procedures. Ask supervisor for details. Proper precautions and following road safety laws are required at all times while driving.

DRUG/ALCOHOL POLICY  
Drug/Alcohol policy applies to this job: Pre-employment drug/alcohol testing required.

Brazoria County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected class. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

Salary : $24 - $28