Public Health Nurse 1 — Job Description

Perry County Health Department; Ohio; On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Perry County Health Department in New Lexington, Ohio is hiring a Public Health Nurse 1 to deliver immunizations, nursing assessments, case management, and community outreach to Perry County residents. Under the Director of Nursing, you will provide vaccines, health education, care coordination, and disease prevention with standard 8:00 a.m.

to 4:00 p.m. hours, Monday through Friday, and occasional evenings or weekends for special programs or emergencies.

Qualifications

• Current Ohio RN license
• 1 year nursing experience preferred
• Ability to travel Perry County
• Proficient with EMR and MS Office

Responsibilities

• Administers child and adult immunizations per guidelines
• Educates clients and families about immunization schedules and safety
• Performs nursing assessments and plans of care
• Provides case management and coordinates with healthcare partners
• Plans and delivers health education and community outreach

Skills

Public health nursing

Immunizations

Case management

Health education

Community outreach

EMR

Education

Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio

Tools

Electronic Medical Records

Job description

The Perry County Health Department (PCHD) is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Public Health Nurse 1 to join our Nursing Division. This full-time position offers an opportunity for a motivated nursing professional to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of Perry County residents through disease prevention, health promotion, clinical services, and community outreach.

Under the direction of the Director of Nursing, the Public Health Nurse 1 will provide essential nursing services to individuals, families, schools, and the broader community. Primary responsibilities include administering childhood and adult immunizations, conducting nursing assessments, providing case management and care coordination, investigating communicable diseases, and delivering health education. The position also involves collaborating with healthcare providers, schools, and community organizations to improve access to services, address barriers to care, and support public health initiatives.

In addition to direct nursing services, this individual will contribute to public health program development, quality improvement efforts, grant-funded initiatives, and emergency preparedness activities. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong clinical judgment, effective communication skills, adaptability, and a commitment to providing professional, compassionate care to diverse populations.

Applicants must possess a current Ohio Registered Nurse (RN) license, with a minimum of one year of professional nursing experience preferred. Experience in public health, community health, maternal-child health, communicable disease prevention, or case management is desirable. Candidates should also be comfortable utilizing electronic medical records, collaborating with community partners, and traveling throughout Perry County as needed.

This position is based in New Lexington, Ohio, with regular working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required to support departmental programs and emergency response activities.

At PCHD, our mission is to improve public health by preventing disease, promoting health and safety, and protecting our environment. We are looking for an individual who shares this commitment and is eager to contribute to the continued health and prosperity of our community.

Please note: This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list. It presents highlights of the position’s scope and function and the candidates’ requirements and rewards.

Position Description

• Position Title: Public Health Nurse 1
• Agency Unit: Nursing
• Reports to: Director of Nursing
• Employment Status: Full Time
• Pay Range: TBA
• FLSA Status: Non-exempt
• Normal Working Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday thru Friday or as approved by the Health Commissioner

Position Summary

The Public Health Nurse 1 provides professional nursing services to individuals, families, schools, and communities through health promotion, disease prevention, clinical care, case management, and outreach. Under the direction of the Director of Nursing, the employee applies foundational (Tier 1) public health competencies to assess needs, use evidence and data, communicate effectively, support equitable access, strengthen community partnerships, and participate in program planning, evaluation, quality improvement, and emergency response. Duties are performed within the Ohio registered nurse scope of practice, established protocols, and agency priorities. The employee may provide functional guidance to assigned aides, students, and volunteers.

Clinical Nursing Services

• Provides child and adult immunizations in accordance with Ohio Department of Health, CDC, and agency guidelines.
• Educates clients, families, healthcare providers, and community members regarding immunization schedules, vaccine safety, contraindications, adverse reactions, and follow‑up care.
• Administers medications, treatments, and nursing interventions consistent with physician orders, standing orders, agency protocols, and evidence‑based clinical practice.
• Performs nursing assessments and develops appropriate plans of care within scope of practice.
• Evaluates client outcomes and modifies interventions based on assessment findings and established standards of care.
• Assists the Director of Nursing with evidence‑informed program planning, implementation, evaluation, and identification of relevant policies and service gaps.

Case Management & Care Coordination

• Provides comprehensive case management services in accordance with program requirements.
• Coordinates care with physicians, hospitals, schools, behavioral health providers, social service agencies, and other community partners.
• Assists clients in accessing healthcare, social services, and community resources to address identified needs and reduce barriers to care.
• Documents services accurately and timely utilizing the agency’s electronic medical record and other required reporting systems.

Disease Prevention & Health Protection

• Investigates reportable communicable diseases and conditions in accordance with Ohio law and established public health protocols.
• Conducts disease surveillance, contact follow‑up, and appropriate public health interventions.
• Assists with case finding through collaboration with healthcare providers, schools, agencies, and community organizations.
• Participates in communicable disease prevention, outbreak response, and other public health initiatives.

Community Health & Health Education

• Plans, delivers, and evaluates health education using plain language, health literacy principles, accessible formats, and communication approaches responsive to community needs.
• Collaborates with schools, healthcare providers, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders to improve community health.
• Participates in community outreach activities designed to promote healthy behaviors and disease prevention.
• Assists with development and distribution of educational materials and public health messaging.
• Identifies social, economic, geographic, disability‑related, and other barriers to care; assists clients and partners in improving equitable access to services.

Collaboration & Community Partnerships

• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with healthcare providers, local agencies, community organizations, schools, and other partners.
• Participates on multidisciplinary teams to improve coordination of services and community health outcomes.
• Represents the Health Department professionally in community meetings and coalitions; listens to community perspectives and communicate partner feedback to the nursing team.

Data, Documentation & Quality Improvement

• Maintains complete, accurate, and confidential records in compliance with agency policies, HIPAA, and applicable laws.
• Collects and reports program data required by local, state, and federal agencies.
• Participates in quality improvement using defined measures, client feedback, and basic improvement methods to identify and test service enhancements.
• Uses available surveillance, service utilization, and community health data to identify trends, describe needs, and inform program planning and improvement under supervision.
• Assists with implementation, coordination, and evaluation of grant‑funded public health programs in accordance with approved work plans, objectives, and funding requirements.
• Maintains accurate program records, collects performance data, and assists with required grant reports, deliverables, and supporting documentation.
• Supports compliance with applicable grant requirements, agency policies, and established program procedures.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness

• Participates in emergency preparedness planning, training, drills, and exercises.
• Serves in assigned Incident Command System (ICS) roles during public health emergencies.
• Assists with emergency response activities including mass vaccination clinics, disease outbreaks, disaster response, and other emergency operations as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Ohio.
• Minimum of one (1) year of professional nursing experience preferred.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain certifications, credentials, and specialized training required for assigned duties and programs, including CPR, NIMS/ICS, immunization administration, Breastfeeding Support Counselor, and others as determined by the Health Department.
• Ability to travel throughout Perry County to provide nursing services.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records, Microsoft Office, and standard computer applications.
• Completion of required continuing education and mandatory workforce development training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in public health, community health, school nursing, maternal‑child health, communicable disease, or case management.
• Experience working with diverse populations and community partners.
• Experience with quality improvement, public health accreditation, or performance management initiatives.
• May be required to work irregular/extended hours including evenings and weekends.
• Out of county and/or state travel may be required.
• Able to tolerate extended periods of sitting and exhibits manual dexterity when working on the computer, typing, entering data and performing other related tasks.
• Regularly talks and listens when working with the general public.
• Provides timely response to requests and deadlines.
• Receive, process, and provide visual, verbal, and written information.
• Vision demands include typing or reading a computer screen.
• Occasionally lifts up to 25 pounds when lifting files and boxes of records.
• Employee may come in contact with bloodborne pathogens, body fluids, pesticides, and/or infectious disease.
• Must be able to assume a wide range of responsibilities, to work with staff that varies in their work styles and to work under pressure.
• The primary location of this position is a typical office environment located at 409 Lincoln Park Drive, New Lexington, Ohio 43764.

Safety

PCHD promotes a safe work environment. Employees must follow safety policies and procedures to ensure an accident‑free workplace.

Job Performance Evaluation

The employee will be evaluated at least annually, but more often if performance warrants it.

This job description in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the employee filling this position, who will be required to follow instructions and perform any duties required by the employee’s supervisor or designee.