Primary Purpose of Position:
The primary purpose of this position is to plan, coordinate, supervise, and evaluate public health nursing services within the clinic and laboratory setting. This position ensures that nursing practices, laboratory procedures, patient services, documentation, and quality assurance activities comply with applicable public health standards, agency policies, and state and federal regulations.
Work Schedule: A standard 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday schedule. Occasionally, a meeting or travel will extend the workday beyond the routine 8-hour work schedule. Evening and weekend work may occur with health fairs, communicable disease outbreaks, Red Cross disasters, bloodborne exposure with the need for HIV prophylactic treatment, bioterrorism events, natural disasters, or when necessary to meet administrative responsibilities.
Plans the daily operations of the general clinics (triage, immunization, child health, adult health, maternity, family planning, and laboratory). Coordinates schedules for multiple nurses and supports the Advanced Practice Provider III and laboratory staff. Serves as a resource to staff for questions, troubleshooting problems, or assisting with difficult clients.
Operates the various clinic positions when short-staffed or illness occurs. Serves as the backup for the Immunization Coordinator, Director of Nursing, and certain laboratory functions when those staff members are not present.
Works with the billing office to ensure proper coding on medical procedures to receive the maximum reimbursement of services. Assists with quarterly audits, ensuring that policies and program guidelines are followed. Troubleshoots all open billing encounters.
Prepares several data sheets for internal and external customers on the Health Department’s outcomes, as well as programmatic data for Agreement Addenda.
Completes an annual review of clinical policies and standing orders. Stays up to date with current recommendations for Child Health, Adult Health, Immunization, Family Planning, Maternity, and laboratory programs per CDC, CMS, and state guidance.
Evaluates the performance of assigned staff members by performing a review of employees’ work annually. Also evaluates the need for counseling and/or disciplinary action regarding personnel issues.
Assists with the case management portion of our Medicaid clients by analyzing the dashboard metrics to figure out what services our clients need and to attempt to facilitate gap closure in our clients’ outcomes.
Assist the Immunization Coordinator with planning the annual flu season by making sure vaccines are purchased, all coding is correct in the system for billing, and the staff is aware of any changes in policy or procedures.
Authorizes all training and travel for several staff by filling out the appropriate paperwork and making sure funds are used appropriately.
Serves as an information source for outside agencies such as student nursing programs, school nurses, etc. Serves on various internal and external agency boards/committees as an information source, such as an Epidemiology committee member, quality improvement committee member, etc.
Provides leadership and day-to-day support for the electronic medical record (EMR), serving as a resource for staff on system updates, workflow changes, and documentation requirements. Coordinates communication and training related to EMR enhancements to support accurate records, regulatory compliance, and efficient clinical operations.
Interpersonal Contact:
Communicates externally with the contract Medical Director for the Health Department, community groups, other governmental agencies, vendors, suppliers, contractors, American Heart Association representatives, elected officials, medical community, General Public, etc.
Communicates with the Health Director, administrative staff, Business Officer, supervisors, Environmental Health, WIC, pharmacy staff, Clinical Support, family care coordinator, and health education staff.
Thorough knowledge of NC Communicable Disease laws, state program mandates, and NC Nursing Rules.
Thorough knowledge of practical nursing techniques and the care and treatment of all types of clients.
Thorough knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene, basic health, and safety practices.
Thorough knowledge of preparing reports and other types of correspondence.
Skill in preparing and administering medications and general knowledge of proper dosage, effects, and contradictions.
Thorough knowledge of vaccine refrigerators/freezers and Data Loggers.
Thorough knowledge of and in the operation of the equipment required for the position.
General knowledge of and in the operation of the equipment required for the position.
Ability to make astute observations of patients’ conditions and to report changes accurately.
Ability to understand, interpret, and relate oral and written instructions.
Ability to make arithmetic computations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical personnel, and other employees.
Ability to prioritize communicable disease event investigations based on the threat to the public.
Skilled in the application of nursing practices and techniques as they apply to public health services.
Minimum Education and Experience:
Master’s in Nursing and three years of Public Health nursing experience (including one year of experience in a supervisory capacity); or graduation from a four-year college or university with a B.S. in Nursing which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation and four years of Public Health nursing experience (including one year of experience in a supervisory capacity); or a Master’s in Public Health and graduation from a school of professional nursing and three years of Public Health Nursing experience (including one year of experience in a supervisory capacity); or graduation from a school of professional nursing and five years of professional nursing experience four of which must have been in Public Health (including one year of experience in a supervisory capacity); or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
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).
Additional Training/Experience:
Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the N.C. Board of Nursing
Valid NC Driver’s License
Possession of a valid CPR/AED certification upon hire
Listed under Nursing jobs.