Clinical Services -Public Health Nurse

Allen-County; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Allen County Health Department is seeking a Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management in Fort Wayne. You will perform TB case management, coordinate disease investigations, administer vaccines, and support immunization clinics. This role emphasizes field visits, community engagement, and interagency collaboration.

The position requires nursing licensure, public health knowledge, and strong communication skills, with flexibility for on-call and emergency response as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Nursing and one year nursing experience required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred.
• Knowledge of Case Management skills.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Knowledge of Public Health Nursing principles and practices.
• Ability to conduct field visits and resolve emergencies.
• Ability to facilitate referrals and coordinate care with providers.

Responsibilities

• Case management for active tuberculosis cases, coordinating labs and treatment.
• Coordinate communicable disease investigations and TB contact tracing.
• Prepare TB medications for Directly Observed Therapy.
• Conduct onsite and offsite infectious disease investigations during outbreaks.
• Coordinate patient care with clinics, hospitals, and private providers.
• Assist with organizing immunization and infectious disease clinics.
• Administer and read TB skin tests.
• Respond to community inquiries about communicable diseases.
• Collaborate with Healthy Homes, Lead Case Management, and community programs.
• Participate in community health fairs and trainings.
• Respond to mass prophylaxis and emergency public health needs.

Skills

Case management

Public speaking

Written communication

Verbal communication

Confidentiality

Nursing knowledge

Field visits

Education

Associate degree in Nursing

RN license

Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Job description

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

INFECTIOUS DISEASE & CASE MANAGEMENT - RN

Department: Health – Clinical Services & Case Management FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Classification/Level: A8 Date: 08/2022

Under the direction of the Clinical Services and Case Management Division Director, the Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management conducts a variety of health education, testing, screening and follow-up care programs throughout Allen County including assisting with Refugee Case Management, Communicable Disease investigations and follow-up, including outbreak investigations, performing testing, screening and follow-up healthcare/treatment services to clients in the Immunization and Clinical Services Division. The Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management investigates infectious disease cases, administers vaccinations and other health screenings to children and adults. This position is Covered as defined by The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen Employee Handbook.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for Case Management for all active tuberculosis cases in Allen County including interpretation and coordination of labs, medical and pharmacological care.
• Coordinates communicable disease investigations and TB contact investigations in accordance with applicable laws and regulations completing investigative paperwork, interviews with patients and reports to the Indiana State Department of Health.
• Prepares TB medication for patients on Directly Observed Therapy.
• Performs onsite and offsite infectious disease investigation in accordance with any communicable disease outbreak.
• Coordinates patient care with outside agencies and organizations, including Federally Qualified Health Clinics, Indigent clinics, Public Transportation systems and private providers.
• Assists with organizing, set-up, and participation in special immunization or infectious disease intervention clinics, including interviewing patients to ascertain health status and explaining precautions and reactions. Prepares appropriate paperwork and forms for submission as required.
• Administers and reads TB skin tests.
• Answers all community phone calls regarding communicable diseases.
• Collaborates with Healthy Homes Division, Lead Case Management and Fall/Injury Risk Assessments in providing comprehensive multidisciplinary care.
• Coordinates and assists with various community health fairs and conducts training and in-service presentations.
• Responds to and participates in immediate community health nursing needs/events as required including mass prophylaxis clinics, outbreaks/pandemics, mass treatment sites, preparedness drills, etc.
• Compiles and prepares monthly, annual, and special reports as required by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Administration of the Health Department.
• Serves as a member of the smallpox response team and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Associate’s Degree in Nursing and one year previous nursing experience required. Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred.
• Knowledge of Case Management skills
• Strong written and verbal skills, including public speaking
• Knowledge of accepted principles and practices of Public Health Nursing, with the ability to effectively examine and screen individuals, assess needs, and provide information, treatments, assistance, documentation and referrals
• Knowledge of public health laws, regulations, and related operations, methods, principals, and safety measures, with the ability to effectively evaluate and treat individuals accordingly
• Ability to effectively conduct field visits and resolve related emergencies and problems as situations demand
• Knowledge of health and social services available to Allen County residents, with the ability to facilitate referrals as appropriate and work as a liaison with community organizations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all Department records and information
• Ability to properly compile statistics, conduct a great deal of data entry and forms completion, and accurately prepare files, documents, and reports

DIFFICULTY OF WORK

The Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management provides clinical nursing services in accordance with generally applicable guidelines and established procedures and requirements, exercising judgment to effectively examine and evaluate individuals and provide information, treatment, assistance and/or referrals accordingly. The work involves a variety of nursing duties that include a broad range of individual situations of substantial intricacy and often requires careful consideration of complex circumstances and multiple variables.

RESPONSIBILITY

The Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management provides standardized practices when examining, educating, testing and treating individuals/patients. Purposes and desired results are known with unusual problems discussed with the supervisor.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS

The Public Health Nurse for Infectious Disease Case Management maintains communication with other County employees, community partnerships and the general public regarding tuberculosis, communicable disease and lead poisoned children.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Public Health Nurse is exposed to health and physical concerns normally associated with public health nursing for the general public, including lifting up to forty pounds, bending, reaching over head, pushing/pulling loads, and kneeling with some exposure to temperature extremes, chemicals, noise and noxious odors/fumes.

SUPERVISION

None

LICENSING

• Indiana State Registered Nurse License in good standing
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification upon employment as required for all public health staff.
• CPR Certification.
• Tuberculosis skin testing certification within six months of employment
• Valid Driver’s License

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR

Clinical Services and Case Management Director

HOURS

8:00 am – 4:30 pm and as needed with the ability to respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis as required

EEO CATEGORY

0802

WORKERS’S COMP CODE

8832