Public Health Nurse

Job Description

Job Description : n n Job Summary : This position is responsible for promoting provides services to individuals, families and communities.

Services are provided to all age groups with focus on health promotion and disease prevention. The health program is carried out in the home, office, clinic, schools and community, where conditions and treatment are normally of a non-critical nature for Oyáte Health Center (OHC) patients.

Essential Functions and Professional Behavior Expectations : Utilizes nursing process in order to assess, plan, implement and evaluate health needs in providing nursing care to individuals and families including interventions designed to prevent complications and minimize disabilities.

Records and documents according to established standards and procedures. Educates and supervises patients and families in techniques of positive self-care management, and assists them in understanding, accepting and adjusting to the implications and responsibilities of medical or other needed care, diagnosis and treatment.

Assists in planning and evaluating the community health nursing program. Helps to maintain proper lines of communication so that responsible parties are adequately informed.

Provides continuity of patient care by planning and exchanging information with IHS, and, Tribal and community resources.

Conducts routine review of Community Health Assessment to prioritize Health Promotion Disease Prevention activities. Provide continuity of patient care by initiating, planning and exchanging information with IHS, and, Tribal and Community resources.

Develops programs to meet unique health needs found in schools, Head Start centers, Senior Citizen centers and other agencies as indicated.

Conducts epidemiological surveys, field investigations and researches studies to appraise health needs. Collaborates with CDC, State Departments of Health, local Health Departments and Tribal Health programs.

Reviews and evaluates records and reports for the purpose of Health Promotion / Disease Prevention and Continuous Quality Improvement.

Participates with interdisciplinary teams in defining policy and developing the total care plan for patients. Collaborates and coordinates programs with other health agencies.

Assumes personal responsibility to keep informed of current changes and trends affecting nursing care and professional nurse functions.

Assesses and communicates individual needs regarding personal development plan.Participates in quality improvement activities.

Must comply with federal laws and regulations as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Performs related duties. Professional Behavior Effectively plan, organize workload and schedule time to meet the demands of the position.

Work in a cooperative and professional manner with OHC and GPTLHB staff.Treat Great Plains tribes and collaborators with dignity and respect.

Utilize effective verbal and written communication skills.Advance personal educational development by attending training sessions and seminars as appropriate.

Exemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors and guests.

Foster a work environment of wellness, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness and respect. Relate well and work collaboratively with coworkers and all levels of staff in a professional manner.

Consistently demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differing capabilities, cultures, gender, age, sexual orientation and / or personalities.

Maintain and ensure organizational privacy and confidentiality. Handle crisis and tolerate stress professionally.Be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others.

Resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision if needed. Exercise flexibility to alter plans / routines when situations require and continue to perform without projecting stress / frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.

Promote an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free lifestyle.Embrace modes of appearance and attire that reflect a professional presence.

Adhere to GPTLHB policies and procedures. RequirementsParticipates in Core Connections training, and applies GPTLHB Core Connections concepts and practices in their workExemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors, and guests.

Foster a work environment of wellness, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness, and respect.Relate well and work collaboratively with coworkers and all levels of staff in a professional manner.

Familiarity and / or experience working with American Indian populations and respect for and knowledge of traditional, cultural, and spiritual practices of diverse American Indian communities, as well as an ability to work with other culturally and ethnically diverse populations.

Consistently demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differing capabilities, cultures, gender, age, sexual orientation and / or personalities.

Maintain and ensure organizational privacy and confidentiality.Must be able to handle crisis and tolerate stress professionally.

Must be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others.Possess the ability to resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision.

Able to exercise flexibility to alter plans / routines when situations require and continue to perform without projecting stress / frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.

Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including evenings, weekends and overnight or extended travel as necessary.

Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to community members, consumers, and other employees of the organization.

Proficiency with computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other Internet technologies.Valid driver’s license must be kept current, and certificates, credentials or licenses must be kept current and consistent with regulations required by applicable federal, state and / or grant regulations.

Ability to promote an alcohol-, tobacco- and drug-free lifestyle.Embrace modes of appearance and attire that reflect a professional presence.

Adhere to GPTLHB policies and procedures. Knowledge RequiredKnowledge of federal, state and local regulations affecting areas of responsibility.

Knowledge of Public Health Nursing and Nursing Administration Scope and Standards of Practice.Knowledge of public health philosophy, principles, and practices with a special focus on population-based individual, community, and system care.

Knowledge and ability necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served.Knowledge of pharmaceuticals, their desired effects, side effects, and complication of their use, and steps to counteract adverse effects in order to properly administer and monitor patients using medications.

Knowledge and ability to perform quality assurance, evaluate results and apply interventions promoting positive client outcomes.

Knowledge of and ability to promote health and disease prevention through education and counseling.Knowledge of availability and use of community resources, ability to promote wellness through teaching and counseling.

Knowledge and skill in using the nursing process of current research methods in order to conduct epidemiological surveys, field investigations, research studies and statistical interpretation.

Knowledge of diversity and cultural difference of Native American populations, and the ability to appreciate cultural differences and their effect on healthcare delivery.

Knowledge of infectious disease, prevention and exposure; including blood borne pathogens and respiratory protection protocols.

Ability to identify, categorize, and perform clinical services to address each patient’s age-specific needs, i.e., infant, adolescent, or geriatric patients.

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, using tact and sensitivity.Skill in comprehensive nursing assessment, problem identification and care plan development.

Skill in disease management Skill in screening for developmental issues, depression, other psychological conditions, and frailty.

Skill in oral and written communication.Skill in interpersonal relations.Skill in the provision of customer service.Skill in use of job related equipment and tools.

Skill in use of personal computer and a variety of job related software applications. Supervisory Controls The supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available.

The employee and supervisor, in consultation, develop deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The employee is considered an expert and is responsible for planning and carrying out the assignment, resolving most of the conflicts that arise, coordinating the work with others as necessary, and interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives.

In some assignments, the employee also determines the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used. The employee keeps the supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters.

Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results.

Guidelines Guidelines for performing the work are scarce or of limited use. Administrative policies, precedents, laws and regulations are applicable but are stated in general terms.

The employee uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or researching trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, or proposed new policies.

Guidelines include federal and state law, and GPTLHB, OHC, and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are clear and specific and require some judgment.

Complexity / Scope of Work The work typically includes varied duties that require many different and unrelated processes and methods, such as those relating to well established aspects of an administrative or professional field.

Decisions regarding what needs to be done include the assessment of unusual circumstances, variations in approach, and incomplete or conflicting data.

The work requires making many decisions concerning such things as interpretation of considerable data, planning of the work, or refinement of the methods and techniques to be used.

The work involves establishing criteria; formulating projects; assessing program effectiveness; or investigating or analyzing a variety of unusual conditions, problems, or questions.

The work product or service affects a wide range of organizational activities, major financial activities, or the operation of other programs divisions of the organization.

Contacts The personal contacts are with individuals or groups from outside the organization in a moderately unstructured setting.

For example, the contacts are not established on a routine basis and the purpose and extent of each contact is different.

Contacts are typically with clinical providers, patients / family members, employees, community resource agencies, various Health Departments, Tribal Health programs, and the general public.

Contacts are primarily for obtaining, furnishing, exchanging and providing factual medical information. Contacts are typically with clinical providers, patients, employees, community resource agencies, patient family members, CDC, State Departments of Health, local Health Departments, Tribal Health programs, and the general public.

Work Environment / Physical Demands The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities;

or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity.

The employee must be able to read, write, speak and hear. The work involves moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions, including exposure to contagious diseases.

Employees may be required to use protective clothing or gear, such as masks, gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Supervisory and Management Responsibility This is a non-supervisory position that may provide functional direction, guidance and instruction to other employees when necessary.

This position possess authority to assign, coordinate, and review quality and quantity of work of other employees. Instructs employees in specific techniques or technical methods for accomplishing work assignments.

The employee may perform the same type of work as other employees, but may be responsible for performance of the more technically difficult, controversial, or sensitive work assigned to the unit or group.

Minimum QualificationsBachelor’s degree and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience, or an associate’s degree and give (5) years of progressively responsible experience.

Experience working in community or public health is preferred.Licensed as a Registered Nurse by are any US States or Territory.

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required or must be obtained within ninety (90) days of employment.Must successfully pass a criminal and background check and a pre-employment drug screen.

The GPTLHB is a tribal organization which follows tribal preference laws. It is our policy to give preference to qualified Indian / Tribal candidates over qualified non-native candidates in hiring decisions, if all other qualifications are equal.

Employment is contingent upon the outcome of all required criminal background checks.