Public Health Nurse (Dh6405)

In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an Affirmative Action Plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. Pursuant to this Plan and corresponding TCRHCC Policy, applicants who meet the necessary qualifications for this position and (1) are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position, (2) are legally married to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and meet residency requirements will be given secondary preference, and (3) are enrolled members of other federally-recognized American Indian Tribes will be given tertiary preference.

Position Summary

The incumbent will provide quality comprehensive nursing services to individuals, families, communities and schools supported by evidence based practice. The Public Health Nurse (PHN) will be responsible to assist with development and coordination of services with a multi-disciplinary care team. To positively impact services to high risk groups to contain communicable disease outbreaks including; foodborne illnesses, immunization preventable illnesses, TB, Sexually Transmitted Disease and Coronavirus. The role of the PHN includes home visits in the areas of Maternal/Child/Health, prenatal to Geriatric nursing; chronic patients with varying health conditions; school health to provide immunization updates. Under the direction of the PHN Manager, the PHN will provide program support by assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating a comprehensive community health nursing program. To meet the care needs of the patients and clients in the assigned area.

Necessary Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s of Science degree from an accredited school of Nursing

Certification

• Must have and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification by the American Heart Association
• Must have a current and valid state driver’s license with no restrictions maintained throughout employment
• A valid, current, full and unrestricted Professional Nursing License to practice nursing in any state of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

Experience

• Two (2) years of acute care hospital nursing experience

Other Skills and Abilities

A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas

• Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences
• Positive working relationships with others
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Suite applications;
• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints
• Excellent customer service skills and telephone etiquette
• Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading, or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Knowledge and ability to apply Nursing concepts and principles.
• Completion of and, above-satisfactory scores on all job interviews, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the interviewees and TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Ability to multi-task efficiently and effectively;

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

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

Physical

The incumbent must have the ability to walk for prolonged period of the workday, sitting, standing,, and walking within schools, clinics and homes and reaching frequently The incumbent must have ability to bend, twist, maintain balance, and occasionally crouch. The incumbent must have the ability to lift, push and pull up to 50 lbs occasionally. Sensory requirements are far, near and color vision, depth perception, details, hearing normal speech, hearing overhead pages ¾ workday and seeing fine details and telephone use frequently. Must have ability of simple grasping for prolonged period of workday, firm grasping and use of keyboard frequently; fine manipulation occasionally.

Mental

The incumbent must have the ability to concentrate frequently and cope with high level of stress, make decision under high pressure, cope with anger/fear/hostility of other in a calm way, manage altercations, handle a high degree of flexibility, handle multiple priorities in a stress situation, work alone, demonstrate high degree of patience, adapt to shift work and work in areas that are close and crowded occasionally.

Environmental

The incumbent may be exposed to Infectious diseases, chemical agents, dust, fumes, gases, extremes in temperature or humidity occasionally.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates and leads multi-disciplinary care team in the planning and implementation of care for high risk group (Food Borne Illnesses, TB, STI, Vaccine Preventable disease, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for homebound patients). Collaborates and coordinates care activities with existing Navajo Nation Tribal programs (TB Technician, STI Technician, Community Health Representatives, Community Health Educators).
• Manages and/or coordinates an immunization/disease-preventable control program for children and adults.
• Participates in quality assurance activities including evaluation of PHN program activities and improving quality patient-care outcomes. In-depth knowledge of public health principles, including population-based services, evidence-based practice, prevention and community assessment.
• Ensure proper PPE is always worn while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield.
• Provides direct patient care and related tasks; provides nursing services and education to patient’s one-to-one, group, or in a community setting. Independently makes home visits, elicits or explains medical information, provides basic care and education to patients with a variety of conditions, illnesses and/or injuries. Responsible for obtaining and recording patient information as assigned by PHN policies (i.e., vital signs, blood sugar, pain assessment, medication information, etc.).
• Provides/coordinates nursing assessment in home setting for newborns, infants and children; prenatal, postpartum, and other gynecological and obstetrical conditions; a comprehensive plan of care for adults and elderly clients based upon community health needs and resources. Identifies and prioritizes care to clients with high-risk conditions and refers to appropriate resources.
• Coordinate and participate in the planning and delivery of health care services through collaboration with various resources to include TCRHCC providers, case management, various Tribal, State, and County agencies. Communicates utilizing a variety of tools to effectively convey ideas, updates regarding program goals and objectives to appropriate entities. Develops and maintains knowledge of regulatory agencies within the geographic service area.
• Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee and external customer satisfaction.
• Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly. (see CDC website for most current updates)
• Patient/Client documentation reflects appropriate Nursing process in the “S.O.A.P” format submitted in timely manner. Responsible for documenting patient care encounters. Adheres to confidentiality TCRHCC policies, and HIPAA/Hitech regulations. Documents actions and activities by completing required forms, reports, logs, and patient records.
• Keeps vehicle and equipment operating by following operating instructions; daily observations and documentation, troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
• The PHN will assist the PHN Director to develop short and longterm program goals and objectives based upon the community needs assessment, and National Healthy People initiatives.
• Conducts and coordinates epidemiological surveys and investigation with appropriate personnel, surveillance of index case and contacts. Provides and participates in Epi-response/emergency preparedness in the community in collaboration with all local, Tribal, State, County, and National Emergency Preparedness Programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Coordinates needs assessment survey, identifies community resources in assigned area, gathers/complies community profile data and prioritizes health needs.