PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING CONSULTANT 1

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, CHILD HEALTH DIVISION, HAMILTON COUNTY

Qualifications

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Tennessee.
• A valid motor vehicle license may be required for employment in some positions.

Summary

Responsibilities

• Compiles findings from surveys, investigations, etc of health care facilities, providers or patients that support conclusions or compliance of state and federal protocols.

• Determines compliance with state and/or federal rules and regulations, and if deficient practices are identified, determines the extent of the noncompliance.
• Accesses factual information according to established state and federal protocols in order to reach supported conclusions.
• Recognizes and defines deviations from regulations and standards.
• Reviews state/regional plans in order to communicate and provide input to internal and external customers.

• Applies federal & state rules and regulations in review and decision processes.
• Reviews and interprets all medical information received on each patient.
• Reviews information from medical records for sampled individuals to determine quality of care and compliance with state and federal rules and regulations.
• Conducts document reviews, observations, interviews to use the information to identify non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Monitors by observation a health care facility's infection control practices.
• Tours health care facilities to access for environment.

• Identifies common source outbreaks and reports to supervisory staff in order to develop processes and plans for care of at-risk population involved in disaster situations.
• Organizes and interprets available information and materials in order to define existing problems.
• Organizes, analyzes and interprets applicant's medical records to determine if medical eligibility has been met.

• Interprets laws, rules and regulations both state and federal in order to communicate that information to facility personnel, patients/residents, family members, complainants and peers.
• Communicates with hospitals, community health centers, private physicians' offices, and other external customers in regard to potential communicable diseases.
• Translates written word into verbal examples and validates that perception with appropriate persons for use as evidence.

• Provides training to the public in prevention of spread of communicable disease and preparedness for emergency situations as requested and does so in a professional and caring manner.

• Organizes and interprets available information and materials in order to define existing problems.
• Reviews laboratory reports, patient records and histories, and disease reports in an effort to prevent further spread of diseases.
• Identifies relevant information in order to investigate each allegation of a complaint.
• Identifies relevant information needed to survey the program utilizing specific survey protocol for each program surveyed.
• Reviews past performance files, current documents, observations, interviews, dietary and environmental issues and analyzes the findings to arrive at decisions concerning adherence or deviations from regulations.
• Reviews medical records to determine if medical eligibility for Medicaid reimbursed Long Term Care Services and Supports are met.

• Functions as a member of a Public Health team in analyzing information in order to achieve best possible outcomes in individual illnesses or potential outbreak situations.
• Compiles and reviews information necessary to reach supported decision.
• Determines the level of services applicants qualify for using Level of Care Acuity Scale.

• Serves as Team Leader/Coordinator by assigning tasks in accordance with protocol, which includes coordinating activities, analysis and decision making related to findings, and scheduling meetings to assess the progress and accomplish tasks for efficiency.
• Provides guidance and participation during completion of survey documentation.
• Provides support to team members when organizing training, presenting sessions, and evaluating outcomes of activities.

• Develops processes and plans for care of at-risk population involved in disaster situations.
• Provides input to program director in development of HCF Surveys and/or promoting the health, safety and welfare of our residents.
• Provides input to program director in development of public health emergency preparedness.

• Enters data into computer system ensuring all documentation and maintenance of records are within the parameters of established nursing standards.
• Assimilates teammates' information into one computerized document using correct format and layout.
• Writes reports according to PRINCIPLES of DOCUMENTATION requirements provided by federal agency.
• Organizes written communications which are legible and are grammatically correct using state and federal documenting protocols.

• Provides relay program specific information to other medical personnel in order to achieve optimal patient outcome.

• Conducts and/or participates in activities for obtaining needed information and or materials through observations, interviews, research, and records review to determine compliance with state and federal rules and regulations.
• Conducts disease investigation to obtain patient-specific information concerning the patient's disease and disease process.
• Requests and obtains pertinent medical record information to investigate complaints against providers, healthcare facilities, or determine patient eligibility or fraud.
• Reviews a facility's past performance file, quality indicator reports, or complaint/incident file prior to the onsite survey.
• Receives and collects lab reports from multiple sources.

• Coordinates all aspects of survey activities when serving as team coordinator or when surveying independently.
• Adheres to specific protocols provided by the state and federal agencies to accomplish all phases of assignments.
• Prioritizes job responsibilities and tasks in order to complete the work at hand.

• Ensures confidential information/materials are not compromised.
• Serves as a resource person for the agency when communicating with nursing homes, jails, hospitals, assisted living establishments, home health agencies, and other community partners.

• Assesses the quality of care and services provided to recipients of health care facilities by utilizing specific survey protocol.

• Maintains open communication channels with hospitals, schools, and all community agencies.
• Provides public information as needed in emergency preparedness, communicable disease control, and all public health areas.
• Provides management and peers with education related to advanced program training and the current survey protocols.

• Coordinates and plans team surveys of health care facilities.
• Provides Food Net visits to community partners to maintain vigilance in prevention of outbreaks, schedules and provides annual Fit Testing on appropriate internal customers.
• Coordinates with co-workers and external customers in order to achieve program goals.
• Organizes daily work in order to meet time sensitive deadlines.

• Assists peers in training activities by sharing knowledge and skills.
• Assists other teammates with assignments when their workloads become more pressing during group assignments.
• Notifies team members as soon as possible of schedule changes when functioning as team coordinator.

• Provides Point of Dispensing or Perinatal Hepatitis B training and/or guidance to all involved persons.
• Provides Fit Testing to the public in rural health departments and regional offices.
• Schedules and conducts Nurse Strike Team and Public Health Investigation training for public health personnel.

• Analyzes current processes and assists in development of innovative processes in order to improve program efficiency.

• Communicates and documents programmatic issues and/or concerns during survey process with management, survey team and facility.
• Interprets and adheres to appropriate lines of communication.

• Makes frequent contact with community partners in order to establish and maintain open lines of communication.
• Assists in the orientation and training of new employees as requested.
• Assists others in the completion of their assignments.

• Serves as a mentor for other less experienced staff for each mastered program.
• Provides verbal and written guidance of protocols and program knowledge.
• Shares prior surveyor knowledge and skills with surveyors new to the survey process.
• Identifies needs of new hires in the field and provides guidance and resources as appropriate.
• Provide technical and educational assistance to public health employees, community partners, and other agencies who request it.

• Edits exported data to compile final reports.
• Records observations and interviews utilizing a tablet computer.
• Imports/exports data prior to/following data collection.
• Enters data/information into various computer programs using required documentation format.
• Uses web based computer program to input time and labor and travel expense claims.
• Uses state and/or federal program applications on a daily basis.
• Receives and sends e-mail messages to coordinate scheduling, guidance and other work-related functions.

• Inspects facility or office environments to determine if environmental safety guidelines are met.
• Maintains and inspects agency equipment following manufactures' specifications in order to assure efficient and accurate operation.

• Maintains working knowledge of new regulations, regulatory revisions and application of regulations in various settings.
• Assists in the orientation and training of new employees as requested.
• Participates in called meetings, programmatic conference calls, and planned conferences related to particular field.
• Attends mandatory in-service and training programs.

• Carries and inputs data into portable computer while conducting survey and documenting findings in computer at time of review, observation or interview
• Enters all areas of facility for inspection purposes and for validation of information.
• Walks throughout large Health Care Facilities; stands, stoops and bends torso in order to observe the facility staff providing patient care/procedures for several hours.
• Stands long periods while holding computer in order to compile findings according to federal protocols.
• Carries required survey materials on site weighing approximately 25 lbs.

• Identifies, develops, and maintains programmatic information needed to support communicable disease and emergency Preparedness Programs.
• Maintains appropriate records of agency inventory and property.

• Provides knowledgeable assistance as needed to internal and external entities in a courteous manner.

• Possesses adequate driving skills to navigate large cities and small towns on both interstate and rural roads.
• Drives state or personally owned automobile in all road conditions at any given time (i.e., day or night) for long periods to reach worksite destination.

Competencies

Knowledge:

• Clerical
• Administration and Management
• Computers and Electronics
• Education and Training
• Public Safety and Security

Skills:

• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Learning
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Learning Strategies
• Skill to use scientific rules and methods to solve problems
• Skill in the application of professional nursing techniques
• Time Management
• Management of Personnel Resources
• Social Perceptiveness

Abilities:

• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Stamina
• Dynamic Strength
• Static Strength ¿ must be able to lift at least 25 pounds
• Trunk Strength
• Selective Attention
• Night Vision
• Finger Dexterity

Tools & Equipment

• Personal Computer
• Telephone
• Printer

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.