Communicable Disease Public Health Nurse II

Transylvania County; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading county health department in North Carolina seeks a skilled Communicable Disease Nurse to provide essential public health services. The role involves investigating communicable disease cases, coordinating care for clients, and ensuring compliance with public health regulations. Successful candidates will possess a Bachelor's in Nursing and relevant public health experience, coupled with strong counseling and assessment skills essential for effective community health management.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year university or college with a B.S. Degree in Nursing and one year of Public Health Nursing experience.
• Current nursing license valid in North Carolina.
• Driver's License valid in the State of North Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Provides and oversees administration of medications and treatment for communicable diseases.
• Coordinates care of active TB clients; conducts investigations and counseling for STD clients.
• Participates in Epi Team meetings and Flu Administration programs.

Skills

Public Health Understanding

Patient Counseling

Assessment Skills

Communication Skills

Education

B.S. Degree in Nursing with Public Health rotation

Registered Nurse License in North Carolina

Job description

This position provides direct service/preventive care to individuals and families in the clinic, home and community setting. This position serves as back-up Communicable Disease Nurse, Lead TB Control Nurse, Adult Day Health Specialist and Enhanced Role STD/HIV Nurse.Receives positive lab reports from NCEDSS, hospitals, physicians, labs and other health departments, etc. Investigates authenticity of reports and determines if appropriate testing was done. Performs investigation by interviewing the case, contacts and medical providers. Counsels clients about the disease and gives control measures verbally or in writing. Provides treatment to case/contacts as needed. Completes Confidential Communicable Disease Report, Part I and Part II. Submits reports to NC Communicable Disease Control Branch through NCEDSS. Assures local TB services are provided in accordance with NC TB Control Manual. Coordinates care of active TB clients with private providers and/or Medical Director. Provides and/or oversees the administration of medications, provision of x-rays, and assessment of clients with active and latent TB. Serves as primary resource person for all community medical providers. Participates in quarterly Epi Team meetings.

Functions as primary service provider for STD clients. Obtains health history
and performs comprehensive exam with cultures if needed. Counsels clients for
risk reduction, control measures and contact identification. Administers treatment under standing orders. Refers clients for MD evaluation as needed. Completes CD reports and Surveillance Forms as required by NCAC 41A.0101. Provides and oversees HIV counseling and testing. Serves as primary contact person for Regional DIS. Reviews reports from State Lab and coordinates appropriate follow up. Is responsible for ordering and maintaining medication supply. Assists in writing Standing Orders.

Interviews and provides appropriate counseling/referrals in a variety
of clinical or community settings. This includes but is not limited
Family Planning clients, BCCCP/Cancer Prevention, Hypertension/Diabetes
Screening, Immunizations, and WIC. Participates in Flu Administration
programs. Will perform laboratory tests as needed. Conducts monitoring visits (in conjunction with DSS) to Adult Day Health Center to assure compliance with operation standards as determined by the Division on Aging. Acts as a consultant to improve delivery of health
related services.Must be able to understand program requirements and applicable laws to provide direct care and education based on this knowledge. Accuracy is required in performing assessments and recording these observations and the care rendered in the medical record. Must be able to provide instructions to clients orally and in writing. Must be able to communicate program guidelines to other agencies and the community.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position requires more mental than physical effort. Employee may be subjected to extended periods of sitting, walking, or standing. Must be able to travel from the department to homes and other community settings. Requires some lifting and carrying of light to medium weight equipment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in the Health Department, client homes and community facilities. Employee may be exposed to poor home environments and over-crowded noisy clinic settings. May be exposed to infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens and angry/disruptive clients. Employee may experience periodic hazards in the field such as driving in inclement weather.
WORK SCHEDULE
8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. Evening and weekend hours may be necessary for service provision, meetings, and educational classes.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.Minimum Education and Experience:
Graduation from a four-year university or college with a B.S. Degree in Nursing that includes a Public Health rotation and one year of Public Health Nursing experience; or graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing and two years of professional nursing experience including one year in public health or an equivalent combination of training and experience.Experience in a field of nursing that is closely related to the anticipated work assignment can be substituted for Public Health experience for hiring purposes.

Individuals employed in a local Health Department without a B.S. Degree which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation or a Master’s in Public Health, will be required to complete an introductory course in principles and practices of public health nursing sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services- Division of Public Health within one year of employment as a condition of continued employment in accordance with Health Services Commission Rule, 10 NCAC 46.0301.

Required Licenses or Certifications:
A current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Driver's License valid in the State of North Carolina.