Job Information
City of Northampton Public Health Nurse in Northampton, Massachusetts
NORTHAMPTON PLEASE SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION Public Health Nurse DEFINITION The Public Health Nurse is responsible for supporting the health and wellness of those who live, work, and play in Northampton and the other towns in our regional service area. This includes developing new programs to respond to emerging needs; assessing community health needs with a lens of health equity; investigating and analyzing incidences of infectious diseases; providing education and screening for community groups; and developing policies through the analysis of evidence based principles. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Provides healthcare referrals and advocacy for area residents, including referrals to local resources and providers, free or low cost screening, and other available programs. Assists the Northampton DHHS Division of Community Care responders in supporting community members with healthcare navigation needs. Works in conjunction with community partners such as schools, nonprofits, and healthcare facilities to identify public health needs within the community. As part of a team, leads formal Community Health Needs Assessments, including planning, research, data collection, and data analysis. Coordinates, plans, and executes vaccination clinics; supervises the distribution of vaccines; orders and bills for vaccines; answers providers\' questions. Maintains inventory of all supplies; completes and submits reports to appropriate agencies as requested. Does community outreach; develops, researches and makes presentations on various health education initiatives at senior centers, assisted living facilities, schools, and other locations. Investigates and documents communicable disease cases. Provides health information and educational materials to health care providers and residents in effort to decrease spread of disease. Confers with inspectors and health care providers in managing cases; implements Department of Public Health guidelines in event of outbreak of communicable diseases. Maintains knowledge of emerging pathogens and community risk factors; aids in developing health policies to respond to outbreaks. Makes home visits to residents with TB and other homebound residents. Provides Direct Observational Therapy and case management, if qualified (RN). Inspects summer camps to assess compliance with state and city laws, regulations, and ordinances. Inspects and provides education on car seats. Performs similar or related work as required or as situation dictates. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education/Experience: Associates Degree in nursing or health science and from three to four years of experience in a public or community health setting, or any equivalent combination of education and experience, required. Bachelor\'s Degree and/or RN License Preferred. Required to be licensed as a practical nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Class D driver\'s license required. Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Knowledge: Knowledge of nursing and public health principles, practices and methods as applicable to a municipal setting; knowledge of applicable laws, standards, and regulations relating to public health. Knowledge of epidemiology; knowledge of word processing, computer software. Abilities: Ability to prepare, organize and maintain data, reports and systems; ability to analyze complex situations, problems and data and use sound judgment in drawing conclusions and making decisions. Ability to comprehend and present complex facts and relationships in detail and to summarize and write clearly, concisely and professionally. Ability to produce or obtain graphs, charts, photographs or other evidence or exhibits. Ability to give presentations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, employees, supervisors; ability to maintain confidentiality where needed.