What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Health Nurse (Project) position at Dane County?
This is a project position, contingent on available funding, currently through 2028
The Eligibility List created will be used to fill future vacancies over the next six (6) months. All are encouraged to apply.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Under general supervision from the Public Heath Supervisor, this classification provides professional public health nursing leadership in the community and is responsible for the core public health functions of assessment, assurance and policy development. Performs related duties as required. Identifies populations who are at risk for illness, disability and premature death using individual, family and community assessment and analysis. Uses principles of epidemiology, community assessment and scientific research to identify opportunities for primary prevention education and to participate in surveillance, prevention, control and follow-up for communicable and chronic diseases. Collaborates with staff, healthcare providers, other community organizations and the State to identify priority problems and to plan, implement and evaluate strategies for communicable disease and chronic disease prevention and control in Dane County. Employs evidence-based Public Health policies and methods to provide education, screening, outreach, referral, coordination and other services. Collaborates with healthcare providers and the State regarding communicable disease reporting and follow-up. Establishes, conducts and/or coordinates clinics. Uses the nursing process to assess, plan, implement and evaluate Public Health services for individuals, groups and the community. Participates in evaluation and the development of policies and procedures. Assists with orientation of new staff and mentoring students in nursing and other disciplines. Maintains knowledge base, including changes and trends which affect public health nursing, professional nursing practice and the roles and responsibility of this position.
EXAMPLES OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE DUTIES BY PROGRAM
COMMUNITY-BASED PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE– Partners with Human Services program Joining Forces for Families to apply a systems-lens to neighborhood-identified public health issues. Activities may include conducting neighborhood health assessments, partnering to conduct policy analyses, and coordinating/convening community stakeholder groups.
FETAL AND INFANT MORTALITY REVIEW- Reviews medical and social services records to generate report summaries of circumstances surrounding fetal and infant death. In addition to case abstraction, this role participates on the FIMR case review team, and works to translate data to action.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH- Provides coordination support to Fetal and Infant Mortality Review action networks (FAN), where recommendations from FIMR Case Review Team are translated into action. Types of work centers on coordination, project management, work plan development, convening groups, and logistics.
NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP – Provides comprehensive home visiting services to pregnant people until the child is 2 years of age. Over the 2½ year period nurses work with clients on their goals. A focus is on improving pregnancy outcomes, child health/development, and the economic self-sufficiency of the family.
ACUTE AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE– Provides appropriate acute and communicable disease surveillance, investigation and control services in accordance with Wisconsin Communicable Disease Statutes. The team works together to conduct case, contact and outbreak investigations as well as educating agency staff, children, parents, students, school staff, daycare providers, health and social service providers and the community overall related to the prevention and control of communicable diseases.
IMMUNIZATIONS– Provides immunizations to adults and children at scheduled PHMDC Immunization Clinics throughout Dane County. The team works closely together to review the client’s immunization record, determines which immunizations are due and for which the client is eligible, assesses for contraindications in order to assure safety, educates the client and/or parent about the vaccine, the diseases prevented, possible side effects and when additional vaccines are due.
TB – Provides latent TB medications, providing directly observed therapy (DOT), assures isolation and prompt, accurate TB screening and diagnosis. The multi-disciplinary team works to coordinate data entry into the Wisconsin Electronic Data Surveillance System (WEDSS), coordinate contact investigations, and work collaboratively with local health care providers to identify and treat latent and active TB cases in Dane County.
Education, Training and Experience:
Requires a Bachelor's Degree from a nursing program, accredited by the national professional nursing education accrediting organization, with included preparation in public health nursing or community health nursing.
Certifications/Licenses:
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) within six (6) months of hire maintain certification throughout employment. Must be a Registered Nurse in the State of Wisconsin within three (3) months of hire.
Special Requirements:
Must possess a valid driver's license or have access to reliable personal motor vehicle transportation or equivalent. Must obtain required immunizations within six (6) months of hire. Also refer to the “Physical and Environmental Work Requirements” section below.
Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job’s responsibilities. Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.). Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
For Bilingual Positions:
- Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.).
- Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing, such as written translation, if it is an essential function of the job.
*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/ examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position’s bilingual designation.
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:
Work involves walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, turning, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, grasping, reaching and driving. Ability to lift, move and transport a variety of work-related materials up to 25 pounds. Able to sit for prolong periods of time. Phone and computer use. Manual dexterity using fine and gross motor skills is necessary. Good vision and hearing with corrective devices, as needed. Ability to do injections and draw blood or to be trained to do so. Ability to be fitted and wear NIOSH 95 mask. Work occurs at the PHMDC South Park Street office, the assigned JFF office, and at a variety of public health offices and community-based settings. Ability to travel between locations is required. During the course of the day, work could involve starting at one location and then traveling to other locations. Work requires flexibility to work with diverse populations and communities including people of different cultures, values and beliefs, in rural, urban or suburban settings, and with individuals and groups at different levels of learning and with different learning styles. Flexibility to work with individuals and groups where and when they are available is required. Work related to public health emergencies may require availability 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Working conditions may vary in relation to heat, cold, fatigue, etc. Conferences or seminars may require travel outside of Dane County.
Knowledge of public health nursing principles and practice. Epidemiology and related biologic behavioral and social sciences. Knowledge of community resources and how to utilize them. Ability to work independently and interdependently. Ability to assess own practice. Ability and desire to learn and change. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrates ability to work with individuals, groups and community. Demonstrates ability and willingness to learn. Demonstrates flexibility in response to change. Demonstrates ability to work well with individuals of all ages, cultures, race and ethnicity, learning abilities, lifestyles, etc. Additional specific to Community-Based PHN position. Ability to apply assessment skills to community-based setting, such as neighborhood health assessment. Knowledge of social determinants of health and systems that impact community health. Experience participating in or coordinating community-driven workgroups and initiatives.
Salary : $41 - $49
