COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE II

Introduction

GRADE

19

LOCATION OF POSITION

Howard County Health Department 8930 Stanford Blvd. Columbia, MD 21045

POSITION DUTIES

The main purpose of this position is infectious disease surveillance and response (IDSR) in Howard County, encompassing over 80 reportable diseases in Maryland. This role emphasizes clinical nursing expertise alongside surveillance and public health functions. This position conducts case, outbreak, and contact investigations for reportable infectious diseases within Howard County, applying clinical nursing skills to assess, evaluate, and recommend infection prevention and control measures while following disease specific case and outbreak guidelines. This role requires a proactive approach, combining clinical nursing skills with public health expertise to enhance the IDSR program’s capacity to prevent infectious diseases, respond to and manage infectious disease cases and outbreaks effectively. This position will also serve as IDSR’s outbreak lead, with a specific emphasis on integrating clinical nursing expertise into outbreak surveillance and response efforts. This position is considered essential for emergency response in the event of a public health emergency.� This position is eligible for hybrid telework. 75% Infectious Disease Investigator� Initiates and completes epidemiological investigations for reportable diseases using the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) adhering to IDSR, HCHD and Maryland Department of Health (MDH) protocols.�� Engages in daytime IDSR nurse rotations to address rabies, foodborne illnesses, and outbreaks. Provides clinical expertise in disease assessment and response measures. Documents timely and accurately clinical investigations, interventions, recommendations and case closure in electronic databases and shared platforms to include email, trackers and one-drive, and secure platforms following IDSR, HCHD, and MDH standards. Writes detailed and clinically informed summary reports for HCHD and MDH. Reports are completed within established deadlines and reflect an understanding of clinical and epidemiological aspects of IDSR program. Completes infectious disease surveillance to monitor infectious disease trends and interprets clinical data to identify anomalies. Develops and implements community education initiatives aimed at disease prevention based on these findings. Engages in community outreach events and site visits (either in-person and/or virtual) providing clinical guidance and nurse education on infection, prevention and control.� �� Utilizes reputable resources to seek nursing knowledge and remain informed about emerging infectious diseases, ensuring readiness to respond with current clinical best practices.� Maintains up-to-date knowledge with cases to provide detailed clinical updates to supervisor, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team, medical director, and other stakeholders as requested. Applies specific disease case and outbreak IDSR/HCHD/MDH guidelines to reports timely to determine best clinical interventions and apply nursing judgement to recommend effective infection control measures collaborating with healthcare providers as appropriate. Manages contact tracing, ensuring IDSR, HCHD, and MDH guidelines are met. Communicates findings and recommendations as indicated. Tracks status of cases and facilities as assigned impacted by infectious diseases per IDSR/HCHD/MDH guidelines, updating records and offering expert clinical recommendations for mitigating transmission throughout management. Acts as a subject matter expert for HCHD/MDH/CDC resources. Applies nursing judgement to provide guidance and clinical recommendations for infection prevention and control. Conducts phlebotomy and collects specimens as part of IDSR and HCHD functions, maintaining specimen integrity and compliance with laboratory guidelines. Accepts special projects related to infectious disease and program essential functions as assigned. Handles calls, voicemails, and emails professionally, offering accurate clinical guidance to schools, facilities, and the public regarding infectious diseases. Identifies unusual cases/circumstances, escalates them to IDSR supervisor, and demonstrates action to analyze, present and apply problem solving when summarizing during meetings as needed. 10% Outbreak Lead 5% Standard Nursing Duties 5% Other Duties�

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:�� A Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. Experience: None. Notes: 1. Candidates may substitute a Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and one year of experience as a Registered Nurse for the required education. 2. Candidates may substitute two years of experience as a Registered Nurse for the required education. 3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Nursing classification or Nursing or Health Care Specialist specialty codes in the Nursing field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.��

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Desired qualifications: -Experience working clinically with infectious diseases and infection prevention and control measures� -Experience in educating patients and/or groups, effectively delivering health-related information, and fostering understanding to promote wellness and informed decision-making. -Extensive experience and knowledge using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. -experience providing and managing consumer cases/services using an Electronic Health Records (EHR) and/or Electronic Medical Records (EMR).

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current license as a Registered Nurse from the Maryland State Board of Nursing, 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.��A copy of your license or license number should be uploaded on your application. 2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employees in this classification will be required to provide the facility with a telephone number at which they can be reached.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position.�Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.�Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work.�Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview).� Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date.�Information submitted after this date will not be added.� Incorrect application forms will not be accepted.�Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Candidates may remain on the�certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online,�the paper application (and supplemental questionnaire) may be submitted to MDH, Recruitment and Selection Division, 201 W. Preston St., Room 114-B, Baltimore, MD 21201.�Paper application materials must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment, no postmarks will be accepted. If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.� If you are unable to upload, please fax the requested information�to 410-333-5689.�Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the�MDH Recruitment and Selection Division at 410-767-1251. If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or�Application.Help@maryland.gov.� Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: 410-767-1251 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.

Salary : $73,957 - $96,533