Public Health Nurse III, Tuberculosis Control Nurse

Forsyth County (NC); Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth County Department of Public Health is seeking a Public Health Nurse III for a full-time Tuberculosis Control position. The nurse will investigate, follow up, educate, and prevent TB spread in the community, including home and facility visits as needed.

Responsibilities include case management, directly observed therapy, and education of clinic staff. RN licensure in NC and CPR certification are required, with a rotating schedule and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong clinical nursing knowledge with public health orientation.
• Ability to interpret medical records, reports and CDC guidelines.
• Knowledge of public health principles and community health practice.
• Understanding of disease surveillance and patient education in community settings.
• Ability to establish cooperative relationships with colleagues and clients.

Responsibilities

• Tuberculosis control and case management per CDC guidelines.
• Directly observed therapy and home/community visits for case management.
• Community education and awareness to prevent TB transmission.
• Precepting nursing students and staff during clinics and immunization events.

Skills

Critical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Nursing theory knowledge

Public health awareness

Decision making

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Public Health Nursing specialization

Job description

Forsyth County Department of Public Health is seeking a Public Health Nurse III. This is a full-time Tuberculosis Control position responsible for investigating, following up, educating, controlling and preventing the spread Tuberculosis (TB) in the community thereby protecting the public's health. This position will involve visits to a home, school or a long-term care facility, depending on where the patient can be located. This Nurse will receive intense training on both the North Carolina Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NC-EDSS) disease reporting system and trained about communicable diseases, specifically Tuberculosis. This training will assist the Nurse in meeting the guidelines that are required by North Carolina state law.

The work hours are on a rotating schedule:

• Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Thursday (Rotating Late Clinic) 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Eligibility / Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation and two years of Public Health nursing experience; or
• Master’s in Public Health and graduation from a school of professional nursing and two years of professional nursing experience; or
• Graduation from a school of professional nursing and three years of professional nursing experience including two years of Public Health nursing experience; or
• An equivalent combination of training and experience

Possession of a valid Registered Nurse (RN) license to practice in the state of North Carolina.

Maintain CPR certification.

A valid driver's license is required for use of a county vehicle and travel to patient homes, potentially daily (Monday through Friday) to conduct Direct Observation Treatment of TB medications.

*All Public Health Nurses employed by a local health department shall complete an introductory course in principles and practices of Public Health/Public Health Nursing and any refresher courses sponsored by the NC Department of Health and Human Services. 10A NCAC 46.0301 (2), (b), (c)

A well-qualified applicant shall have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Ability to think critically and accurately record the services rendered and to interpret and explain records, reports and medical instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees.
• Considerable knowledge of and skill in the application of nursing theory, practices, principles, and techniques employed in the field of public health and related programs.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and practices of Public Health.
• Knowledge of current social and economic problems relating to Public Health.
• Knowledge of available resources and organizations in the community.
• Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions.
• Ability to secure the cooperation of clients, to elicit needed information and to maintain effective working relationships.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Tuberculosis Control and Case Management:

• Case management is provided through clinical x-rays, laboratory services, provision of monitoring medication, and epidemiological evaluation.
• Measures are taken to prevent transmission of TB through diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and health education to TB cases, contacts, suspect cases, persons on preventive therapy and all others requiring evaluation for the presence or absence of TB.
• Formal case management, epidemiological evaluation and provision of disease and preventive treatment, case finding, surveillance, education and evaluation will be provided per CDC guidelines.
• The employee must keep accurate records of all nurse-patient encounters, clinical functions, medications dispensed and status reports.
• Confidentiality of all medical records and patient information will be strictly adhered to.

Education and Counseling for TB Patients:

• The employee must interview patients to gather correct and important information. Counseling is tailored to the individual patient, with understanding of cultural factors, communication differences, and educational levels. Health education will be directed toward positive behavioral change.

2. Directly Observed Therapy:

• This nurse will investigate, follow up, educate, control and prevent the spread of tuberculosis in the community thereby protecting the public's health.
• The nurse will investigate and provide community outreach services by making home visits for the purpose of case management of TB cases, directly observed therapy, contact tracing and latent TB infection treatment in the TB Program.

3. Community Education and Awareness:

• Communication, coordination, education, and promoting awareness among all providers in their jurisdiction is essential to the cause of preventing TB.
• Provides education and training regarding tuberculosis to clinic staff.

4. Community Health:

• Required to precept of nursing students and new employees.
• Required to staff OZE immunization clinic.
• Required to staff Flu/Covid immunization clinic.
• Participate in any urgent Public Health events as necessary and requested.