Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  00055866

Description Activated On:  3/13/2024 2:29:47 PM


Position Purpose:
Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. 

This position, in the Bureau of Community Health Systems supports the organization’s mission of providing infrastructure for the implementation of core public health functions in a high quality, effective and responsive manner that will positively impact the health status of Pennsylvanians. This position is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating public health services and initiatives, as well as providing direct public health services and community liaison activities. This position is headquartered in Northumberland County.

Description of Duties:
Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Analyzes county level assessments to identify public health needs and resources to ensure that DOH educational and clinical activities are data driven.

Links DOH program resources with community partnership activities via meetings, teleconferences, clinics, etc., to achieve agreed upon goals and measures, while establishing and supporting a community based public health infrastructure.

Develops public health initiatives using available community level data, public health protocols and DOH nursing guidelines to address identified health priorities.

Participates on district and local health committees as a representative for the Department of Health using DOH nursing standards and DOH communications guidelines to advocate and support the development of public health initiatives. Acts as a liaison between community partnerships and the Department of Health to promote awareness of public health.

Monitors community health programs (e.g. communicable/vaccine-preventable diseases, tuberculosis, STD/HIV, and immunizations) by accessing public health information systems such as NEDSS, SIIS, and HAN using data entry and disease surveillance skills to ensure improved health status for assigned programs/populations.

Develops and provides health education programs on a variety of public health topics to educate the public.

Provides outreach and case management services to individuals and targeted populations to promote patient health and safety.

Provides consultation/technical assistance to individuals, health professionals and community partners on pertinent public health issues to promote patient/public health.

Provides clinical services for immunizations, TB, HIV/AIDS and STD, including specimen collection, according to the BCHS Public Health Policies, Procedures and Standing Orders Manual to promote patient health and prevent or control disease.

Conducts surveillance and case investigations of all reportable/selected diseases, conditions, and outbreaks (e.g. communicable diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases, animal bites, lead poisoning, etc.) to prevent and control the spread of disease and ensure patient/public health and safety.

Coordinates with community and health organizations such as healthcare providers and laboratories to implement disease prevention and control measures to control and prevent the spread of disease.

Provide and/or link minority and disparate populations to needed personal and public health services to optimize patient health.

Orients/precepts new staff to CHN role using the DOH/BCHS guidelines, BCHS Public Health Policies, Procedure, and Standing Order Manual, Epidemiology Manual, Tuberculosis Manual, and BCHS All Access Sharepoint site to ensure a competent workforce.

Work infrequently requires statewide travel and irregular/flexible work hours including overnights, weekends and holidays in accordance with policy. Employee may travel using public transportation, private transportation or carpooling with other team members as assigned.

Public Health Emergency Response: This position may be assigned to support the public health emergency response mission of the Department of Health. Emergency assignments could at times be received with little or no advance notice, and may continue for any period of time – ranging from a few hours to several weeks, depending upon the nature of the circumstance. The emergency assignments may at times be performed under adverse conditions and may require travel to another site other than the employee’s assigned headquarters for periods of time.

Demonstrate awareness of the vulnerable populations the organization serves by identifying, providing, and advocating for resources, services, communication methods, and policies that would help those populations achieve health equity"

Other related duties as assigned.

Competencies:
Knowledge of public health nursing policies, procedures, and communicable disease regulations
Utilization of critical thinking skills
Application of Nursing professional standards
Utilization of nursing process and available resources including DOH guidelines and manuals in making independent decisions.



Decision Making:
Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Leadership role: Position may work as a team member or team leader.
Decision making in work processes: Position is responsible for professional-level decision making, applying standards defined by the supervisor and the proper technical discipline. The CHN recognizes appropriate levels of communication and seeks consultation through the chain of command to make collaborative decisions when appropriate.
Supervisor’s input in decision making: Supervisor periodically reviews ongoing work progress and results of some assignments. New assignments are performed independently based on application of professional knowledge of public health nursing standards and procedures.
Communication Authority: Position may act as an independent representative of the Commonwealth and Department of Health as assigned.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:



Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1. 
  Registered Nurse
 
2.  
First Responder CPR as recognized by the PA Department of Health
 
3.  
N/A
 
4.  
N/A
 
5.  
N/A
 
6.  
N/A

Essential Functions
: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
 
 1. Use protected health information (PHI) in accordance with DOH policy
 2. Prepare or analyze county health assessments and coordinate program developement
 3. Perform nursing assessments
 4. Provide clinical services and consultation
 5. Communicate orally and in writing
 6. Operate standard office equipment and software including health surveillance applications
 7. Operate equipment proficiently including centrifuges and portable refrigerators/freezers
 8. Stand and walk to conduct clinic or public health emergency activities as assigned
 9. Transport clinical supplies and set up clinics/programs, including portable freezers weighing 30+ lbs. occasionally as part of clinic preparation
 10. Required travel/overnight travel status