Public Health Nurse II--Communicable Disease Nurse na Alamance County Government, NC

About the Department

This is an intermediate level professional nursing position with the primary purpose to manage and investigate communicable disease reports and community outbreak situations to prevent further spread of diseases. (Requires fit testing for N-95 mask) 

Position Duties

• Assess, evaluate, plan and coordinate clinical and community services in the areas of communicable disease (CD) and outbreak settings, 
• Primary concentration conduct timely contact investigations for communicable diseases, and provide appropriate testing, treatment, control measures and reporting of communicable diseases for Alamance County. This includes patient care and resource referrals as needed. 
• Knowledgeable of communicable diseases, control measures and follow-up needed.
• Serve as charge nurse in communicable disease clinic and/or community settings to provide testing, vaccines, education and counseling
• Serve charge nurse for CD referrals/reports and investigation of communicable diseases
• Consult and collaborate with the Communicable Disease Nurse Coordinator, CD Nursing Supervisor, DON, agency EPI team and the NC Epidemiology Section
• Complete reports and surveillance activities as required by the NC Communicable Disease Law and NC DPH
• Serve as CD Charge Nurse and back up to the CD Nurse Coordinator for Communicable Disease Reporting and Investigation (NCEDSS system)
• Ability to interpret and apply state and local public health laws, rules and regulations
• In the absence of the CD Coordinator, conduct monthly communicable disease program meetings
• Assist with completion of program contract addendums; 
• Make home visits as needed functioning competently and independently outside of the agency
• Serve as back up CD nurse liaison between the Alamance County Health Department Communicable Disease Program and community physicians, medical facilities, community agencies, etc. to enhance professional relationships and to achieve coordinated and cooperative efforts toward the control of communicable diseases
• Serve as a resource person for communicable diseases for health department staff, the public, and other county agencies
• Consult with program state consultants as needed to obtain guidance
• Participate in afterhours/weekend/holiday on call rotation for community communicable disease reporting coverage
• Participate in agency quality assurance program ensuring evidenced based high quality care provided
• Case manage hepatitis carriers and newborns. 
• Collaborate with agency Environmental Health and Animal Control staff regarding rabies investigations.
• The Communicable Disease Nurse functions as a member of the Clinic team when not involved with communicable disease duties providing direct patient care for clinical public health nursing services. 
• This position, like all other positions within the Department may be required to participate in any emergency response activities as deemed necessary by the Health Director or his/her designee. Availability during emergencies and exercises is required.” This includes staffing emergency shelters as mandated by the State Public Health Office

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions. 
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly. 
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word. 
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Compassion - Ability to show kindness, empathy and genuine care.
• Honesty - Ability to be truthful, maintain high level of confidentiality and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Integrity – Trustworthiness to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility or pledge 
• Judgment – Ability to use good judgment and discretion as it relates to interpreting policies and procedures.
• Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems. 
• Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with customers and co-workers.
• Safety-Minded – Creating a safe work environment; managing risks; reducing exposure liabilities.  
• Teamwork – Ability to work with others successfully and productively for the common cause and desired end goal. 

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  

 Considerable knowledge of, and skill in, the application of nursing theory, practice, principles, and techniques employed in the field of public health and related programs; considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and practices of public health; knowledge of available resources and organizations and the ability to coordinate these as needed; general knowledge of current social and economic problems relating to public health, including health disparities; ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee the work of others; ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions; ability to work in partnership with patients and with other service providers to elicit needed information and to maintain effective working relationships; ability to record accurately services rendered and to interpret and explain records, reports, and medical instructions; adequate computer skills to allow communication, patient record documentation, and accessing of information.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE R 3EQUIREMENTS:   Graduation from an accredited school of

Professional nursing and one year of professional nursing experience. 

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:  A current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the N. C. Board of Nursing.  Valid N.C. driver's license and have access to a personal vehicle.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  Knowledge and experience with Communicable Disease preferred. Fluent in both Spanish and English both oral and written.

Other Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position.O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day) F (Frequently) Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day) C (Constantly) Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Physical Demands

Stand    F

Walk     F

Sit         F

Manually Manipulate    F

Reach Outward     F

Reach above Shoulder     O

Climb     O

Crawl     O

Squat or Kneel    O

Bend      O

Lift/Carry10 lbs or less   O

11-20 lbs.    O

21-50 lbs.    O

51-100 lbs.   O

Over 100 lbs.   N

Push/Pull

12 lbs or less   F

13-25 lbs.    O

26-40 lbs.   O

41-100 lbs.   O

Other Physical Requirements

•Vision (Near, Distance, Peripheral)