CLASS TITLE:
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE II
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of a Nursing
Supervisor or Nursing Manager, provide public health care and information to
the general public by conducting various clinics to provide health services;
act as a consultant to other agencies and private medical doctors in the
community.
DISTINGUISHING
CHARACTERISTICS:
The Public Health Nurse II classification
is the advanced level classification in the Public Health Nurse series. The Public Health Nurse III classification is
assigned to a designated site and operates with a high degree of independence. The Public Health Nurse I is the entry level
position in the Public Health Nurse series.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
Make home visits to assess high risk
infants’ growth and development.
Interview tuberculosis reactors and
monitor their progress and medication.
Teach patients and others regarding contagious
diseases such as hepatitis, AIDS and venereal disease.
Conduct child health clinics,
tuberculosis clinics, high risk infant clinics and general health supervision
for the purpose of providing health services to the public.
Interview mothers and children at
health clinics to assess child’s health level and immunization and nutritional
status.
Travel to schools to immunize
children and give skin tests in conformance with State immunization policies.
Provide immunizations for travel,
gamma globulin tests and answer questions concerning public health as
necessary.
Participate in the venereal disease
section to draw blood and obtain gonorrhea smears and cultures; interview and
treat venereal disease patients and their contacts.
Assist in performing physicals;
perform electrocardiograms, urine tests, taking blood pressure, eye/hearing
checks, drawing blood and assisting the examining physician.
Refer patients to community resources
such as to social service agencies, the high risk infants program, family
planning and others as appropriate.
Answer questions to educate the
public concerning public health diseases such as head lice, venereal disease,
AIDS, and hepatitis.
Train and provide work direction to
personnel as assigned.
Consult with co-workers and
supervisors to assist patients regarding health matters.
Analyze children, adults and the
elderly for signs of physical and emotional abuse and make appropriate
referrals.
Prepare new employees for physical
examinations or employees who are returning to work after illness or injury,
including city police, volunteer firefighters, girl scouts, infants for day
care centers, Department of Motor Vehicle license applicants, sports physicals,
including EKG, hearing tests, eye exams, blood work, urine-analysis, x-rays,
tests for tuberculosis and blood pressure, height and weight.
Assist with chest clinics performing
aerosols, eye/ear checks, and dispensing tuberculosis medications.
Work with other community services
such as the
Consult with private medical doctors
and hospitals to obtain past medical histories of patients with abnormal
physical findings.
Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Principles and practices of nursing
care.
Medicine, including but not limited to infant and
child immunizations, cholera, typhoid,
rabies and flu vaccinations.
Public health, such as but not limited to, venereal
disease, epidemiology, communicable
diseases, psychology and growth and development
patterns of children.
Diagnostic skills for medical evaluations.
Record-keeping techniques.
Oral and written communication skills.
Laws, rules and regulations related to assigned
activities.
Policies and objectives of assigned program and
activities.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and
courtesy.
Health and safety regulations.
Technical aspects of field of specialty.
ABILITY TO:
Assess physical and mental status of patients.
Make decisions regarding appropriate care for
patient and need for contacting physician.
Understand technical and medical terminology.
Train and provide work direction to others.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Work cooperatively with others.
Maintain records and prepare reports.
Read, interpret, apply and explain rules,
regulations, policies and procedures.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective
course of action.
Understand and work within scope of authority.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to:
consistent with Public Health Nurse licensing requirements; and three (3) years
experience in a related environment.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Clinic environment; subject to
driving a vehicle to conduct work.
Physical abilities required include
climbing stairs, bending at the wait and lifting patients and supplies, seeing
to drive a vehicle, read thermometers and blood pressure equipment, and
identify various skin conditions, hearing to operate a stethoscope, speaking to
communicate with patients, standing for extended periods of time.
Incumbents may be exposed to possible
fights and confrontations, contact with blood and body fluids, and communicable
diseases.