PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE-CLINIC

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

Reproductive Health and Medication Assisted Treatment

The Public Health Nurse (PHN) - Clinic is responsible for delivering equitable, quality education and healthcare in a variety of settings. The focus of a PHN can include: Medication Assisted Treatment for substance use disorders; Reproductive Health (including contraception and sexually transmitted infection evaluation and management, preconception counseling, and pregnancy testing); and/or general clinical services. The Public Health Nurse provides a variety of health promotion, disease prevention, and health screening services to clients throughout the lifespan. This position often works in close collaboration with community partners and assists with developing collective impact strategies to address community health. This position requires the ability to relate to diverse communities and be sensitive to cultural, ethnic, and economic differences among clients.

This position reports to the Public Health Nurse Supervisor - Clinics.

Kenosha County is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and is an

Equal Opportunity Employer.

2024 Hiring Range:  $33.53 – $38.10 per hour

Position Summary and Job Duties

Nursing Services

• Perform a variety of clinic services including but not limited to immunization administration, genetic testing, childhood lead screenings, tuberculosis screenings, and family planning/reproductive health care visits
• Perform initial intake assessment and conduct appropriate health screenings for clients entering comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment
• Aid in the assessment, coordination, planning, and evaluation of care plans and treatment goals for clients undergoing comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment
• Triage and manage clients presenting for sexually transmitted infection testing (STIs) and/or treatment
• Perform pregnancy testing, counseling, referral, and education
• Perform contraception counseling and management
• Prepare and administer oral and parenteral medications for treatment of substance use disorders, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and contraception management while abiding by the rights of medication administration
• Collect and prepare laboratory specimens including venipuncture and directly observed urine collection for drug and alcohol testing
• Perform point of care laboratory testing including macroscopic urinalysis, drug and alcohol testing, pregnancy tests, and rapid HIV tests
• Assist with procedures while maintaining a sterile field
• Assist clients in enrolling in state assistance programs
• Research, investigate, and manage communicable diseases
• Refer clients for additional medical care and community services as needed
• Actively participate in pandemic response and emergency preparedness planning and operations
• Adhere to the nursing process and the fidelity of model program(s)
• Ensure adherence and compliance to the policies and procedures of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regarding protected health information

Health Promotion and Community Health Improvement Initiatives

• Provide education and community awareness on behalf of Kenosha County Public Health while networking with other public and private community groups, coalitions, and organizations (i.e., health-related agencies, courts, schools, etc.)
• Participate in the planning, development, and implementation of public health policies, procedures, programs, and services
• Collaborate with other public health programs and community organizations to strategically develop collective impact strategies
• Participate in off-site mobile health missions in a variety of capacities
• Assist with identifying, developing, and advancing public health interventions to improve social determinants of health and health equity in the community
• Provide gender-inclusive sexual and reproductive health care services to the community through education, disease prevention interventions, and anticipatory guidance counseling
• Participate in the prevention of STIs, HIV, and other communicable diseases through one-on-one counseling, group education, and community outreach
• Collaborate with other teams in Kenosha County Public Health to provide education including the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and Strategic Plan

Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting

• Utilize various information technology systems, including electronic medical records, internet databases, spreadsheets, and word processing programs to collect data and maintain a consistent database of client information and session notes
• Provide analyzed statistical data at the county, state, and federal level to meet reporting requirements for public health programs
• Participate in ongoing community assessment which includes regular and systematic collection, assembly, and analysis of community health statistics to identify community health needs and emerging trends

Success Factors

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of professional nursing
• Health promotion and health prevention
• Population health practices and community health improvement
• Health equity, racial equity, and the social determinants of health
• Mental health conditions and treatment options
• Health education behavior change theories and use
• Cultural competency: supporting diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community

Skill in:

• Critical thinking, systems thinking, analytical and problem-solving, as well as sound judgement
• Strong oral communication for networking, interpersonal relationships, and effective presentations to a wide range of people
• Time management and prioritization
• Strong written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and proper documentation with minimal grammatical and syntax errors
• Use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Basic internet and computer usage

Ability to:

• Work independently, making nursing decisions that are within the scope of practice
• Effectively interact with sensitivity with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
• Effectively work in a team environment that promotes customer satisfaction as well as independently to meet deadlines
• Remain professional and courteous at all times, especially in high pressure situations
• Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
• Engage, establish, and maintain collaborative partnerships with multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary staff, management, community partners, and the public
• Maintain confidentiality and serve the public with honesty and integrity
• Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
• Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization
• Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment

Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN)
• 1 year of nursing experience
• Registered Nurse (RN) license (include copy with application)
• CPR Certification within 90 days of hire (include copy with application, if applicable)

Preferred Education and Experience

• 1+ years of nursing experience
• Experience caring for clients with substance use disorders, formerly incarcerated, and/or dealing with a wide variety of personal and/or mental health concerns
• Experience caring for clients who are un- and under-insured
• Trauma Informed Care certified
• Bilingual proficiency (English and Spanish)
• Or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Other Job Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Access to a personal vehicle for use in the performance of the job
• Availability to perform occasional weekend and evening work as required
• Availability to perform other work as required or assigned including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations

Benefits

• Health, dental and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Twelve Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan:  Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The position involves moderate physical demands, such as exerting between 25 and 50 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently

Selection Process

• Application Review - Qualifying
• Oral Interview - Qualifying
• Background Check - Qualifying
• Physical Examination/Drug Screen - Qualifying

If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.

To learn more about the Kenosha County Public Health, please visit:  https://www.kenoshacounty.org/297/Public-Health

Applications must be submitted no later than Monday, November 25, 2024.

In addition to a resume, please provide a copy of your nursing license and CPR certification card where applicable.

Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer.  Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.

The pay grade for this position is NE13 (Min. $33.53 – Max. $42.67 per hour).

This position is located in Kenosha County, a growing community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago.  To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, visit:  https://www.visitkenosha.com/

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!

Kenosha County is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.