Public Health Nurse I/II

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Health Officer, promotes individual and population health by leading community health policy, systems and environmental change, grant writing and grant management. This position is responsible for gathering input, organizing and collaborating with community partners to inform the development, implementation and evaluation of community-based public health policies and programs at the community and systems level. Emphasis is on community mobilization, basic assessment skills, program planning, development and evaluation, communication, cultural competency and policy development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supports collaboration to address local health priorities:

• • Works with community partners to develop and implement effective, evidence-based public health programs.
  • Supports plans related to community assessment, community health improvement and health planning.
  • Assists in planning, development, implementation and evaluation of grant-funded activities in accordance with grant guidelines.
  • Develops and implements processes that assure the active involvement of community members and stakeholders in public health programs or policies.
  • Participates in the design and application of community health improvement strategies with community partners and stakeholders.
  • Works as a team member with other public health staff on a variety of public health programs and activities.
  • Represents the health department by participating on community boards, inter-agency committees and collaborative task forces in order to coordinate services and avoid duplication of efforts.
  • Maintains current knowledge of public health issues.

Assures data informed decision making and use of evidence-based practices for community policies and programs: 

• • Contributes community health expertise to assessment processes, health improvement goal setting, identification of public health policy and action options, program development and creation of monitoring and evaluation plans.
  • Collects and analyzes data and presents findings to community groups, stakeholders and other professionals.
  • Makes community-specific inferences from quantitative and qualitative data in development of interventions, programs, policies and plans.
  • Researches and utilizes evidence-based practices to guide programs and policies.
  • Assures appropriate and accurate data collection for grants and project reports.
  • Coordinates with community stakeholders and partners to assure accurate and comprehensive data is available.
  • Uses information technology to collect, store and retrieve data. Updates and maintains databases in programs such as Microsoft Excel and Access. 

Provides effective, efficient and appropriate public health communication with a variety of audiences.

• • Delivers targeted, culturally-appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand health promotion and disease prevention information, policies, regulations and local code.
  • Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic and sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities.
  • Adheres to ethical principles and policy in the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information.
  • Supports health department public messaging, mass media and social medial efforts including, but not limited to website and Facebook.
  • Assures Health Department policies and systems support public health best practices.
  • Supports development and evaluation of Health Department performance measures.
  • Supports development and evaluation of Health Department strategic plan.
  • Participates in grant writing and grant management to achieve Health Department and community priorities.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• • Participates in Department and community emergency response training and drills in support of public health emergency and disaster preparedness consistent with job classification.
  • May serve in Incident Command System role during public health emergencies.
  • Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups, and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued.
  • Performs other duties as assigned consistent with job classification.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in public heath, health education, health planning, epidemiology, administration, public communication, nursing, or related field.
• Professional experience in public/community health, including experience with program planning, community organizing or data analysis preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with individuals and groups from a wide variety of backgrounds, interests and experiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public health officials, professional and lay groups, and the general public. 
• Knowledge of group facilitation, community organizing and collaborative leadership techniques.
• Skill with conflict resolution and effective listening in individual and group settings.
• Knowledge of or ability to identify, educational resources, best practices, and research-based strategies for population health at an individual, community or systems level.
• Skill in oral and written communication with emphasis on communicating at levels of understanding appropriate to different audiences.
• Skill in creating messages and presenting information to public health personnel, consumers, and collaborative groups.
• Skill in social media content development, use, and evaluation.
• Ability to collect and organize information for program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Ability in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis for the identification of population health status.
• Knowledge of community health assessment and planning models, methods, tools and techniques.
• Knowledge of grant writing and grant management process and practices.
• Ability to professionally handle confidential information and sensitively work with diverse populations and organizations.
• Ability to use independent judgment, initiative and discretion in performing the duties without direct, immediate supervision.
• Ability to establish priorities and maintain current knowledge over a broad range of subject matters.
  Knowledge of computer software including all Microsoft products (particularly Excel and Access), Adobe products and web-based applications.
• Knowledge of advanced computer skills including using/creating databases, spreadsheets, reports, presentation software and internet searches.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Possess and maintain valid Wisconsin Driver's license and have access to transportation suitable to complete necessary work out of the office
 
HIPAA RESPONSIBILITY
All members of the workforce have a responsibility to watch for unauthorized use or disclosures of Protected Health Information (PHI), to act to prevent the action, and to report suspected breaches of privacy and security policies to their supervisor, or to the Privacy or Security Officer (example of a breach:  member or visitor looking through a claim or personal information left on a desk).
 
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.  The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms, hear and talk.  The employee may be required to run, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, taste and smell.  May seldom be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
 
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
 

Jackson County is an EEO/SS/ADA Employer. Jackson County is Family Friendly Workplace.