Public Health Nurse

newhavenct.gov; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 69,411 - 88,310; Full time

Job summary

A city health department is seeking a dedicated Public Health Nurse to deliver nursing care in schools and the community. In this role, you will assess health needs, implement health programs, and collaborate with families and educational staff. Applicants must have a valid RN license in Connecticut and a Bachelor's degree in Nursing. This full-time position is pivotal in enhancing student wellness and removing health-related barriers to learning.

Qualifications

• Valid RN license from the State of Connecticut.
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing or equivalent.
• Two years of nursing experience, preferably in public health.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to students and families in schools and community.
• Assess health needs and implement corresponding programs.
• Maintain health records and collaborate with educational staff.

Skills

Current CPR certification

Knowledge of community health issues

Ability to guide health team

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent

Registered Nurse license - Connecticut

Job description

Introduction

Are you a compassionate and dedicated nursing professional looking to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of the community? The Department of Health, City of New Haven, invites you to join our team as a Public Health Nurse. In this vital role, you will have the opportunity to provide essential nursing care and expertise to individuals and their families in one or more public schools, non-public schools, and throughout the community. As a Public Health Nurse, you will play a crucial part in strengthening the educational process by removing health-related barriers to learning, promoting optimal wellness for students and families, and ensuring that state laws and local health and education policies are adhered to.

Primary Functions

This is a position as a Public Health Nurse in the Department of Health, City of New Haven. The Public Health Nurse will assume responsibility for providing professional nursing care and expertise to individuals and their families in one or more public schools, non-public schools, and in the community. Primary emphasis will be on the health needs of school age children and youth. In this capacity, the nurse strengthens the educational process by modifying or removing health-related barriers to learning, and by promoting optimal levels of wellness for students and families. The Public Health Nurse implements state laws, local boards of health and education policies and procedures relative to school and community health services, and adheres to standard nursing practice.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implementing program objectives
• Collecting data regarding the health and developmental status of the individual
• Identifying and evaluating individual chronic health needs and referring as appropriate
• Assessing and making referrals for injuries (including first aid) and acute illnesses
• Coordinating and implementing mandated screening tests
• Discussing and counseling students and parents/guardians on findings and implications of health assessments/screenings
• Administering medication and providing specialized physical health care procedures as prescribed
• Communicating with parents/guardians and health care providers regarding student’s response to medication and procedures
• Collaborating with evaluation/intervention teams to discuss and plan for health, safety and educational needs of individual students in the school community
• Providing health information/in-services in the schools and community
• Acting as a mentor and providing direction and guidance to newly assigned nursing staff
• Carrying out selective home visits on behalf of school-aged children and youth
• Maintaining school health and immunization records
• Responsibility for the training and supervising of the administration of medication by school personnel
• Responsibility for the training and delegating of specialized physical health care to other school personnel
• Collaborating with other health care providers and educators to identify, design, implement, and evaluate health curriculum
• Assuming responsibility for pursuing continued professional growth and development through education and national certification
• Participating in research concerning school and community, including the collection of health data, evaluation and outcomes
• Acting as an advocate for the health rights of individuals and their families in the school setting and community at large
• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Possession of a valid, current Registered Nurse license issued by the State of Connecticut
• Graduation from an accredited National League of Nursing (N.L.N.) program with a Bachelor of Science degree program in Nursing or a from a three-year hospital school of nursing, or an Associates Degree in nursing
• Two years full-time employment in nursing within the past five years, preferably one year in public health, pediatric, or emergency room nursing or related specialty

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification
• Valid and current Connecticut driver’s license
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices and techniques of professional nursing, including growth and development of school-aged child and youth
• Ability to provide direction and guidance to others on the health team
• Knowledge of current community health issues
• Knowledge of functions and services of other community agencies and resources

Public Health Nurse adheres to and incorporates the Standards of School Nursing Practice while performing their responsibilities, as adopted by the National Association of School Nursing.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a 'General Fund' non-tested position. 12-month position. This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 1303-467, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Salary schedule effective July 1, 2025; Years of Service / Experience 'Step' Salary Hire - 21$69,4113-42$74,3555-63$79,6517+4$88,310 General Funded hires into this class are not covered by Social Security and will not pay Social Security taxes. They instead participate in the City Pension; the employee contribution rate is 9% of pay. The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including a TB screen and pre-employment drug screening in accordance with the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Fingerprinting will also be required. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.*Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.