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Public Health Nurse

City of East Chicago
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Public Health Nurse 

City of East Chicago
Health Department

 

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Health Officer and Director, the Public Health Nurse provides nursing services to individuals, families, and population groups.  Nursing actions are directed toward the goals of prevention, assessment, risk reduction, and health status improvement for individuals, families, and communities, with a focus on communicable surveillance (i.e., tuberculosis) investigation and treatment in accordance with the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) guidelines. 

Nursing activities include, but are not limited to, systematic analysis of health data, care plan development, health education, advocacy, and collaborating with community partners to promote the health of a population. Public Health Nurses often collaborate and consult within multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams in order to achieve desirable outcomes for families and communities.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by the position.  This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and /or skills required.  Other duties may be assigned.

Under general supervision and/or as part of various workgroups and teams, the Public Health Nurse performs the following essential functions within the framework of the Health Department: 

  • Interprets, implements, and enforces compliance of public health laws, codes, rules, and ordinances.
  • Prepares and administers medications per the Health Officer’s standing orders.
  • Performs epidemiological investigation of communicable diseases and works collaboratively with epidemiology staff. 
  • Institute disease outbreak control measures and report to IDOH
  • Perform Tuberculosis (TB) Testing
    • Surveillance of TB cases
    • Timely Investigation and documentation
    • Monitor health status
    • Coordinate care
    • Perform case interviews, contact tracing, and coordinate with healthcare providers and laboratories
    • Collaborate with Providers
    • Provide oversight of Direct Observation Treatment (DOT)
    • Develop Care Plan
    • Provide Education and follow up
    • Ongoing case management in accordance with IDOH guidelines
  • Provides management and coordination of services through a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating with multiple community agencies for abnormal public health conditions.
  • Complies with all health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  • Demonstrate Knowledge of the core functions and essential services of public health.
  • Use public health surveillance/disease investigation methods in community outreach, screening, and case findings of communicable and infectious diseases that threaten the health of the community.
  • Provides education and counseling to individuals, families, and community groups.
  • Obtains and completes appropriate patient “Consent” forms, ensures patient confidentiality, and maintains orderly medical records. Follows established Public Health medical records policies and procedures as well as State and Federal laws that govern the release of health care information.
  • Documents patient assessment and intervention data in medical records. 
  • Delivers services through departments and outreach programs.
  • Collaborates in the development and delivery of programs and activities for individuals, families, and population groups that promote health and prevent disease, in settings including, but not limited to, City Departments, community organizations, schools, and the community in general.
  • Participates in response teams to prevent, minimize, and contain adverse health events and conditions resulting from communicable diseases. 
  • Coordinates public health activities with environmental and public health professionals and investigators from other agencies and jurisdictions, including but not limited to the Indiana State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
  • Coordinates activities among and between other governmental agencies, such as the Indiana State Department of Health, that enforce laws and regulations that protect the public’s health.
  • Collaborates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of long and short-range policies, plans, and programs for public health in East Chicago. 
  • Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles, and physical abilities. 
  • Educate local and state policy makers and community stakeholders on public health issues and Social Determinants of Health.
  • Adheres to ethical principles and East Chicago Health Department policies.
  • Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
  • Collaborates in activities that contribute to the development of budgets and the efficient use of resources.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Knowledge of essential nursing functions.
  • Knowledge of the core functions and essential services of public health
  • Knowledge of prescribed treatments and medical interventions; ability to effectively monitor and document the patient’s treatment progress and response; ability to refer to appropriate providers as indicated.
  • Knowledge of health care technology, equipment, supplies, and materials needed for medical treatment.
  • Knowledge of population-based health status indicators, determinants of health and illness, factors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention, and factors influencing the use of health services. 
  • Knowledge of health care systems structure and function; ability to make appropriate client referrals based upon patient need, program guidelines, and community resources.
  • Knowledge of current epidemiology data analysis and surveillance methods used in the management of communicable and infectious diseases.
  • Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes.
  • Demonstrates communication skills (oral and written).
  • Able to perform essential functions of the computer, fax, copier, public health, and medical equipment and supplies related to duties. 
  • Ability to learn the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System Base System. (NBS)
  • Ability to drive

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

  • Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing
  • Bachelor's Degree preferred

REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS

  • Licensed in the State of Indiana.
  • CPR certification 
  • Must possess a valid Indiana driver’s license. 

OSHA CATEGORY

  • Category 1 – Employee is exposed to health hazards as a regular part of their job.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job.

Environment – Although most work is performed in a general office setting of health department facilities, some work is performed in the community and sometimes subject to conditions that range from inclement weather to dangerous conditions such as snow/ice, cold, heat, noise, wetness/humidity, vibration, sudden temperature changes, and travel to and from field locations. 

Physical – Primary functions require sufficient ability and mobility to work at the Health Department; to stand or sit for prolonged period of time; to occasionally stoop, crawl, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, turn and twist; to lift, carry, push, and pull light to moderate amount of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use a computer keyboard; ability to drive; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.  Occasional push/pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Vocal – Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Vision – Ability to see objects in normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing – Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. 

How to Apply 

Externally 

Submit an up-to-date resume and cover letter via: 

Mail: City of East Chicago 

Human Resources 

4525 Indianapolis Blvd. 

East Chicago, Indiana 46312 

Fax: (219) 397-5755 or Email: ecapply@eastchicago.com 

Please type your name and the job/department you are applying for in the subject line. For example: “Sue Smith, Applying for Public Health Nurse – Health Department.”

The City of East Chicago does not discriminate in its employment decisions based on race, color, religion, gender, age, genetic information, disability, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.