Communicable Disease/Lead Infectious Disease - Laurinburg, NC, United States - Scotland County, NC

Description

Salary : $54, $70,002.00 Annually

Location : Laurinburg, NC

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 00656

Department: Health Administration

Opening Date: 05/13/2024

Closing Date: 6/10/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

Description

****THIS IS A RE-POST. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS ARE STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION AND DO NOT NEED TO REAPPLY****

Scotland County Health Department functions as a Public Health agency for the prevention of communicable and infectious disease, and for the promotion of wellness and good health practices. Priority is placed on serving county residents and providing quality nursing and medical care.

Position performs duties in the clinics, makes home visits and performs follow-up as needed. The nurse in this position also works in the STD/Communicable Disease clinic to screen and treat patients following program guidelines and standing orders. Provides patient education, counseling and follow-up care as required. Functions to provide community outreach and education (i.e., schools, hospital, private organizations, local senior citizens' sites) and other areas as may be assigned. Employee is also required to work in the Family Planning, Maternity, General Services and the Early Intervention Clinic (EIC) as assigned.

****Salary is based on direct work related experience, education and qualifications*****

"Scotland County Health Department is a qualified employer under the (PSLF) program".

Examples of Duties

STD Clinic

• Works STD Clinic under the direct supervision of the PHN Nursing Supervisor and/or Communicable Disease Supervisor when immediate supervisor is absent or for special projects and outbreaks.
• Obtains health history and range of symptoms for current problems.
• Performs vital signs as per clinic policy and procedure.
• Performs venipuncture or labs using appropriate equipment as per clinic policy and procedure.
• Performs physical exams on male clients to assess complaints and/or problems.
• Collects urethral specimens as needed for diagnostic purposes per STD Clinic policy and procedure.
• Performs physical exam on female clients to include a pelvic exam to assess for complaints and/or problems.
• Collects specimens for GC, Chlamydia and Wet mounts using appropriate equipment as per STD Clinic policy and procedure.
• Reviews collected specimen results to determine presence or absence of disease using microscope and other diagnostic procedures as per protocol.
• Collects cultures and/or serum on both male and female clients for Herpes as needed to evaluate complaints or problems identified through physical exam and other diagnostic procedures.
• Responsible for dispensing appropriate medication to treat existing disease processes determined by physical exam, culture reports and lab results as per standing orders and STD treatment guidelines.
• Provides HIV Prevention Counseling and testing for clients coming to clinics requesting HIV Testing. Provide counseling to assist clients with determining risk factors for becoming infected with the HIV virus.
• Provides HIV Post-Test Counseling for non-reactive and reactive results to clients who received HIV Testing.
• Responsible for follow-up of all positive STD test results via telephone or home visit as needed to comply with health department and State Public Health requirements.
• Works closely with the State Public Health Disease Intervention Specialist for recommendations related to positive Syphilis and HIV cases in all health department clinics.
• Responsible for monitoring all positive Syphilis serology reports.
• Responsible for the follow-up on infants born to mothers with positive Syphilis in collaboration with primary medical doctors and /or OB/GYN providers.
• Responsible for follow-up of communicable disease reports from other facilities to determine whether clients have been treated appropriately per CDC recommendations for positive STD results through review of records and telephone calls to health care providers or clients.
• Performs follow-up with those clients who have not been treated per CDC recommendations through phone call, letter or home visit, and assures that clients are appropriately treated.
• Responsible for coordinating education sessions/presentations per request by community organizations, public schools, college and residents related to STD, HIV and Communicable Diseases.
• Maintains general nursing knowledge and professional competency related to STD/HIV/Communicable Disease through attendance at required and elective workshops, in-services and continuing education.
• Participates in committees and staff meetings as required.
• Assists as needed with the updating of Policies and Procedures for STD/Communicable Disease.
• Makes recommendations through Director of Nursing, PHN Nursing Supervisor and County Attorney to the Health Director in the solicitations of Isolation Orders for clients not adhering to plan of care for individuals with known Communicable Diseases, STDs or HIV positive status.

Family Planning Clinic and Maternity Clinic

• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor.

Communicable Disease

• Responsible for follow-up for Shigellosis, Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter, and /or any other reportable disease.
• Responsible for the provision of patient/parent teaching, telephone management, letters or home visits.
• Responsible for completion of Communicable Disease Report and/or surveillance report as required by NC State Guidelines.
• Provides and coordinates educational sessions/presentations as requested by community, organizations, and Scotland County residents related to Communicable Disease.
• Responsible for follow-up for Hepatitis A, B, and C.
• Consults with NC State Communicable Disease Branch as needed. Educates patients and family through home visits or scheduled health department visits on Hepatitis, including discussion of disease control measures.
• Serves as a member of the Scotland County EPI Team to assist with any disease outbreaks that may occur in Scotland County.

Infectious Disease Clinic

• Serves as Lead Registered Nurse.
• Obtains health history, ID clinic client agreement, Release of Information, Nutrition, mental health, substance abuse and any other assessment necessary at patient's initial nurse visit.
• Orders lab work as per standing orders at initial visit and periodically every three to four months.
• Performs Blood pressure, temperature, height and weight as per clinic policy and procedure.
• Screen patient for Provider for physical assessment in ID clinic, documenting on ID form chief complaint, history of illnesses, review of system, medication list and medication compliance.
• Assist Provider in assessing the patient during physical exam and complete Provider orders.
• Provide education on informed consents, medication, nutrition, safe sex and medication compliance.
• Responsible for scheduling appointments and follow-up on all external referrals through telephone calls and letters.
• Responsible for coordinating patient care with the patient's case manager at Scotland County Health Department.
• Administer immunizations and TB skin test per standing orders.
• Responsible for input in the computer software, "Care Ware Management" for ID patients, which includes entering each clinic visit, vital signs, medications, referrals appointments, labs, notes, immunizations, test results, x-ray results and any other pertinent information that is essential to the care of ID patients.
• ID clinics are usually held every 3rd Tuesday of the month, but patients may be placed on the Provider schedule at any time for a problem visit.
• Follow-up work usually requires about 4-6 hours per week on off clinic week, but usually requires an additional 8-10 hours of follow- up the week the ID clinic held.
• Responsible for reviewing and signing each client's initial and annual assessment after completion by the case manager.

Tuberculosis

• Assess patients with positive PPD's.
• Schedule chest x-rays through Scotland Memorial Hospital.
• Dispense TB meds per standing and/or MD orders to clients.
• Perform Direct Observed Therapy as needed.
• Responsible for assessment of TB patients on medication for complications of medication.
• Follow-up diagnosis (i.e., blood pressure, weight, blood work) and effectiveness of medication.
• Collects sputum specimens as per NC TB Control recommendations until sputum conversion is verified.
• Performs venipuncture as needed in the field to assess for complications of TB medications.
• Attend TB 101 provided by the NC TB Branch and continuing education, in-services and updates as required.

General Clinic Services

• Lab work as ordered.
• Administer other injections as directed by physician orders (i.e., Haldol).
• Give TB skin tests and check reactions within 48 hours to 72 hours
• Refer clients to appropriate clinics or primary physicians as indicated.
• Provide Childhood and Adult Immunizations
• Provide FP Services (i.e., pill pick-up) and Pregnancy Testing and Counseling.

Other Duties As Assigned

• Participates on committees, staff meetings, in-services and continued education as often as scheduling and time permits to maintain professional competency.
• Responsible for completing mandatory Annual Respiratory Training and Fit testing for all health department employees as mandated by OSHA.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Completion of approximately three months of training that includes both a didactic and on-the-job supervision phase in the expanded role specialty to which assigned AND graduation from a four-year college or university with a B.S. in Nursing which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation and two years of Public Health nursing experience; or a Master's in Public Health and graduation from a school of professional nursing and two years of professional nursing experience; or graduation from a school of professional nursing and three years of professional nursing experience including two years of Public Health nursing experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience (Note: three months training can be obtained concurrently with other experience required for position ).

Necessary Special Qualifications: A current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the N. C. Board of Nursing.

Chosen nurse applicant will be required to successfully complete the NC Institute for Public Health STD Enhanced Role training course titled "Physical Assessment of Adults and STD Nurse Clinician Training Combined Practicum Course". Course pre-requisites include for non-BSN prepared nurses, and HIV Counseling, Testing and Referral Training

Supplemental Information

Scotland County Health Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages qualified individuals to apply. Recruitment range will be based on direct work related experience, relevant qualification and education, internal equity and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application. Embedded or attached resumes are not accepted as a substitution for a completed application.

To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application. Any information omitted cannot be considered for qualifying credit.

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Applicants must upload unofficial copies of undergraduate/graduate transcripts with application submission. Applications will be considered "incomplete" without unofficial copies of undergraduate/graduate transcripts attached.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone.

Scotland County offers a wide range of benefits, including healthcare, supplemental plans and retirement programs.

Health
We offer a high-deductible health plan with a $3000 deductible (Single). This program includes a Health Savings Account (HSA). Employee only coverage is completely funded by the County, PLUS the County contributes $1000 to the HSA annually.

Dental
Our dental plan provides for preventive services, such as cleanings each year, at 100%. There is a $25 deductible for other services. Basic services pays at 80% and other major services at 50%. The County contributes $14.47 per month for employee coverage.

Voluntary Plans
Employees may choose from a variety of plans arranged through Mark III Benefits. These include AFLAC Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity plans; Allstate Cancer; Texas Life Whole Life; and Superior Vision plans. In addition we offer Short-term and Long-term disability.

Life Insurance
The County provides $10,000 Basic Life insurance for employees. An employee may choose to purchase additional voluntary term life insurance.

Retirement
Pension is offered through the N.C. Local Government Employees' Retirement System. Employees are required to contribute 6% of gross wages toward their account. The County also contributes at 7.58% (law enforcement 8.25%).

401(k) and 457 are supplemental retirement plans administered by Empower. For the 401(k) plan, employees contributing a minimum of 1% are eligible for the County contribution of 2.5% toward their account. Employees contributing at least 3% or greater are eligible for a County Contribution of 3%. Law Enforcement Officers receive a 5% County contribution. The 401(k) plan offers both pre-tax and Roth after-tax contributions. The 457 plan is tax-deferred with no minimum contribution requirements.

Longevity Pay
The County offers longevity pay to employees with at least 5 years of continuous service.

01

Please describe your level of education in nursing from an accredited college or university.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

02

Do you have a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the N. C. Board of Nursing?

• Yes
• No

03

In reference to question #2, please indicate the license number and the expiration date.

04

Please indicate your education and/or experience level relevant to this position.

• Completion of approximately three months of training that includes both a didactic and on-the-job supervision phase in the expanded role specialty to which assigned AND graduation from a four-year college or university with a B.S. in Nursing which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation and two years of Public Health nursing experience
• Master's in Public Health and graduation from a school of professional nursing and two years of professional nursing experience
• Graduation from a school of professional nursing and three years of professional nursing experience including two years of Public Health nursing experience;
• None of the above

05

How many years of public health nursing experience do you have?

• Less than 6 months of experience
• 6 months less than 1 year of experience
• 1 less than 2 years of experience
• 2 less than 3 years of experience
• 3 less than 4 years of experience
• 4 or more years of experience

06

How many years of professional nursing experience do you have?

• Less than 6 months of experience
• 6 months less than 1 year of experience
• 1 less than 2 years of experience
• 2 less than 3 years of experience
• 3 less than 4 years of experience
• 4 less than 5 years of experience
• 5 or more years of experience

07

Do you have experience in any of these areas? Check all that apply. (Answers must be substantiated in application.)

• Conducting health assessments and making appropriate referrals
• Working in a public health setting
• Working with infection prevention
• Working with infectious diseases
• Working with high-risk and/or low-income populations
• Working with ethnically diverse populations
• Working on multidisciplinary teams
• Collaborating with a variety of service providers to meet the needs of mutual clients
• None of the Above

08

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the undergraduate transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note: We will require an official certified copy of the highest degree transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

• Yes
• No

Required Question