Community Health Nurse

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a professional nursing position in the County Public Health Department. Responsibilities involve assessing health needs and for developing plans for individuals and families and for performing nursing services requiring substantial specialized judgment and skills. Community Health Nurses have the responsibility for the initial implementation of nursing care plans, for the provision of nursing care and for the periodic re-evaluation of individual and family nursing needs. In addition to those duties performed by a Registered Professional Nurse, the Community Health Nurse is also in charge of clinics and the conduct of communicable disease investigation and control. Supervision may be exercised over the work of Licensed Practical Nurses, Community Health Workers, subordinate nursing personnel and other subordinate staff. Due to the nature of this type of fieldwork, considerable autonomy is required. General supervision is received from a supervisory level nursing position or other high level nursing personnel. The incumbent does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

· Gives direct nursing care and physician prescribed treatments to patients in their homes or at clinics and demonstrates nursing care techniques to patients and families;

· Performs communicable disease investigation and control activities;

· Directs various clinics as scheduled;

· Demonstrates nursing care to patients and family members;

· Participates in programs designed to promote and secure wellbeing of the public;

· Provides training and supervision for ancillary workers;

· Coordinates plans for service with physicians and other professionals who are providing individual and family health care;

· Provides rehabilitative/restorative care services, preventive care services, and supportive care services to individuals that are terminal, non-terminal, acute, chronic, or individuals with handicapping conditions;

· Counsels and guides individuals and families in recognizing and attempting to resolve or ameliorate physical, emotional and environmental problems;

· Participates in discharge and planning;

· Provides for continuity of patient care by referring patients and families to appropriate agencies or community workers;

· Prepares and documents written clinical progress notes, service reports, renewal of order requests, and other pertinent reports on a timely basis;

· May provide nursing services in clinics and schools;

· May lead a team providing nursing care to a group of patients or families and be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of team activities;

· May be assigned to coordinate a specific health or preventive program offered by the department;

· May provide educational information to a class, group of individuals and participates in community planning related to nursing and health;

· Compiles reports and statistical information, maintains records and prepared reports for use in evaluating health care needs, planning health care programs and evaluating effectiveness of existent health care programs and community health needs;

· May act as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator;

· May assist Children with Special Needs Program Coordinator in overseeing the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program, 3-5 and Early Intervention Program.

The above examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work 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.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND/OR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of current community health nursing practice; working knowledge of the administrative organization of community facilities; skill in the application of current nursing procedures and techniques of patient care; ability to plan and coordinate nursing care for individuals, families and groups and to supervise nursing personnel assigned to assist with their care; ability to function independently, without close and continuous supervision; ability to communicate effectively; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others; ability to carry out duties in conformance with ANA Code for Professional Nurses; ability to recognize and respect legal aspects of nursing service and care; tact and courtesy; integrity; good judgment.

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 essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to walk, talk and hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

MINIMUM QUALFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by NYS Department of Education, AND:

A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four

year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing; OR

B. Graduation from an approved three year school of professional nursing

and one year of progressively responsible experience in a community health setting; OR

C. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two

year college with an Associate Degree in Nursing and two years of progressively responsible experience in a community health setting; OR

D. Any equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the

limits of A, B and C above.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS:

Possession of a valid license issued by the State of New York to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse and possession of a valid New York State driver’s license at time of appointment.

Maintain a current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Applicants must be a legal resident of Montgomery County or a Contiguous County. Please provide a copy of your driver's license (front and back) for proof of residency.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $57,811.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Public Health

Work Location: In person

Salary : $57,811