PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE - HOME VISITATION

$5,533.23 - $6,319.74

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OVERVIEW OF MESA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH

Mesa County Public Health was formed in 1948 as a political subdivision of the State. We provide a wide range of public and environmental health services to Mesa County residents and, in some programs, the region.

Mesa County Public Health is a leader in our community, our region, and throughout Colorado. We are committed to upholding standards that align our actions with our mission, vision, and values. We are an efficient and innovative organization and we are very proud of the work we do. We have high expectations of our leaders, our peers, and ourselves. We believe in the power of community partnerships to develop sustainable solutions for our residents. Mesa County Public Health employees believe in the principles of Epidemiology, support evidence-based interventions, and advocate for healthy lifestyles at the personal and community levels.

Our Vision: Mesa County is a supportive community that promotes a healthy environment where everyone can flourish.

Our Mission: Understanding, promoting, and protecting the health of the community.

Our Values:

Respect: We treat our staff, community, and partners with dignity, respect, and empathy.
Collaboration: We work collectively for the mutual benefit of the community through sharing information, responsibility, and resources.

Innovation: We empower staff to creatively approach and solve health problems facing our community.

Accountability: We are reliable and transparent with our community and partners.

JOB SUMMARY

The public health nurse provides nurse home visiting and community health services to Mesa County families. The nurse supports and assesses the needs of their clients in physical and psychosocial well-being domains and facilitates referrals and connections to community agencies when needed. The nurse works in a team environment with clinical and non-clinical staff in order to support families and individuals in the community.

Performs comprehensive professional community nursing services in a variety of settings to meet preventive health needs through skilled nursing assessment, health education, and resource navigation.

The ability to communicate effectively is essential for this position. Experience in maternal and child health, home visiting, lactation education, and fluency in Spanish desired. Performs duties within the scope of practice designated by the Colorado Nurse Practice Act. Carries out program activities consistent with Mesa County Public Health priorities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required.

• Follows program protocol, including scheduling and caseload requirements. ● Maintain accurate and timely nursing documentation of client observations and activities as required.
• Conducts home visits to determine client and family needs. Assesses the physical, emotional, social, and environmental needs of clients and their families. Develop plans to meet those needs according to program guidelines.
• Exercise clinical skills in appraising situations and making decisions.
• Establish a trusting relationship with families during program introduction and in-home visits. Engage the family to establish a family support plan with goals, objectives, and activities that address family strengths and needs.
• Work with a team to ensure appropriate referrals and connections to community resources as needed. Act as a liaison between families and other community agencies and care providers, serving as family advocate as required.
• Apply working knowledge of parent-child interaction, child-maternal health, child development, and child abuse/neglect to help families improve parenting skills, increase parenting supports, reduce stress, and address needs of parents.
• Schedules home visits and appointments to meet the needs of clients, including occasional evening hours.
• Apply effective time-management, organization, and multitasking skills. ● Actively participate in and promote public health programs through outreach activities, community coalitions, advisory boards, councils and MCPH events.
• Participate in program orientation of students and new program staff. ● Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite and electronically generated nursing documentation.
• Maintains client confidentiality.
• Works collaboratively with coworkers, other departments and leadership to maximize program objectives, client care, and services. Attends team meetings, clinical supervision, outreach, and other meetings as required.
• Participates in on-going professional development that will support professional practice and ensure clinical competence.
• Acts as a public health role model and exemplify the principles of social justice, increase cultural competence, and work to close gaps in health outcomes that impact populations disproportionately.
• Works autonomously while maintaining strong professional boundaries. ● Other duties as assigned, including support of public health measures benefiting the community at large.

NON ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Participate in emergency planning and response activities.
• Participate in agency-wide activities that may include strategic planning, quality improvement, and/or staff development, as appropriate.
• Complete necessary training through FEMA, including Incident Command Structure (ICS) courses.
• Work as part of a National Incident Management System (NIMS) if a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by County leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) required
• Preferred skills include Spanish language proficiency and Certified Lactation Educator or Consultant.
• Preferred experience includes (a) Working with culturally diverse populations, (b)One or more years of clinical experience in maternal / pediatric health, public / community health, behavioral health or any other nursing specialty to meet the requirements of the job, and (c) Making independent practice decisions.

Licensees and Certifications:

• Have and maintain an active Colorado Registered Nurse license
• Have and maintain a current CPR certification
• Have and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License and a personal vehicle for use in making home visits

Computer and Technology Knowledge:

• Knowledge of and experience with Google and Microsoft Office applications.
• Proficiency in using a laptop as part of in-home assessments and interventions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Able to complete duties under stress, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Visual/hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written/verbal/non-verbal communication.
• Ability to perform tasks involving physical activity, which includes lifting up to fifty pounds; extensive bending, standing, walking, or sitting.
• Ability to perform client visits in various settings, including in client homes that may contain pets.
• Ability to travel to multiple locations within Mesa County.
• May be exposed to communicable diseases and infections

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK ACT:

In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act the following items can be used as a determining factor in the starting and ongoing wage of an employee working in this position:

• A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment;
• A merit system that rewards employees for exceptional job performance;
• An incentive system that pays employees based on the quality of their work or the amount of work they perform, or;
• Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to the work in question.

This position is eligible for the following Mesa County benefits: 

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Retirement
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Life insurance
• Long term disability

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Agency

Mesa County

Address

544 Rood Ave

Grand Junction, CO 81501

Phone

970- 244 - 1856

Website

http://www.mesacounty.us