JOB TITLE: COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE

JOB CODE: 30820

DEFINITION: This is professional nursing work in a community health district or state health center.

An employee in this class is responsible for organizing, promoting and participating in the operation of a public health program for the purpose of preventing, controlling and eliminating public health problems and/or diseases. Work performed in a state health center also involves direct delivery of clinical nursing services within the community, either in-house or through home visits to individuals and families. The work involves interacting with existing community partners/organizations, encouraging and participating in the development of new partners, facilitating interaction/networking between partners/organizations to coordinate services and maximize funding and functioning as a committee and/or board member when appropriate. Work also involves conducting needs assessments and program development; providing technical assistance and consultation; and conducting structured education and training. An employee in this class may perform other functions such as monitoring contracts or responding to district and/or statewide emergency situations. Work is performed independently and is received through statewide and district wide initiatives, oral and written assignments from the supervisor or as a result of needs identification. Work is reviewed through personal observation, supervisory conferences and evaluation of work products. EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Organizes and/or participates in various activities with community partners/organizations to promote public health program objectives and further community involvement and ownership.

• Organizes meetings to facilitate interaction and encourage networking between community partners/organizations.

• Serves as a committee and/or board member for community partners/organizations.

• Conducts needs assessments to identify local public health needs.

• Collects, organizes and analyzes public health statistics and survey results.

• Presents results of needs assessments, recent public health developments and trends, and identified objectives.

• Develops program specific activities based on needs assessments and consultation with staff, community partners/organizations, healthcare providers and the public.

• Provides technical advice on public health laws and regulations.

• Provides guidance in the completion of grant applications and grant compliance.

• Responds to inquiries from healthcare providers, internal and external staff, community partners/organizations and the public.

• Distributes pamphlets, brochures, equipment and supplies to healthcare providers, community partners/organizations and the public.

• Plans and presents in-service training and educational programs to district and state health center staff, community partners/organizations, healthcare personnel and the public.

• Plans and directs workshops, institutes, forums and discussion groups to promote public health.

• Conducts epidemiological investigations and follow-ups.

• Performs assessment to identify abuse, neglect and developmental problems.

• Conducts tests and follow-up for tuberculosis.

• Provides counseling, education and demonstrations on physical care methods to patients and families.

• Interviews, observes and assesses patients.

• Assesses total family health status.

• Documents patient records.

• Develops nursing care plans.

• Administers nursing care treatment.

• Refers individuals to public health services to ensure the provision of health care when it is otherwise unavailable.

• Monitors contracts on behalf of and in coordination with central office personnel.

• Examines records and charts to verify patient care and compliance to contract requirements.

• Reviews provider reports.

• Reviews forms for accuracy and completeness.

• Provides technical assistance to and develops corrective action plans for contracted health services providers.

• Responds to district and/or statewide emergency situations.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of professional nursing.

• Knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of professional community health nursing.

• Knowledge of the nature and functions of community groups, healthcare agencies and social organizations concerned with public health problems.

• Knowledge of public health problems or selected diseases in regard to symptoms, probable incidence, treatment, control and prevention.

• Knowledge of the techniques and methods involved in the development of resources to address the public health needs in the community.

• Knowledge of the federal and state rules and regulations pertaining to public health.

• Knowledge of needs assessment methods and techniques.

• Skill in applying basic nursing practices and methodology.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional individuals and organizations, public and private agencies and the general public.

• Ability to provide community leadership in an effort to prevent and control public health problems.

• Ability to review and evaluate public health data and initiate, conduct and evaluate surveys to identify public healthcare needs in the assigned area of responsibility.

• Ability to develop plans or participate in their development to address identified public healthcare needs in the assigned area of responsibility.

• Ability to interpret provisions of the laws and regulations pertaining to public health.

• Ability to plan and present educational and in-service programs in the assigned area of responsibility.

• Ability to conduct epidemiological investigations and follow-ups.

• Ability to express ideas clearly both orally and in writing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require active authorization to practice as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania.

• All employees possessing an active temporary practice permit must obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse within the one (1) year period defined by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.