Nursing Services Consultant - Communicable Disease

GUILFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Empower Successful People to thrive in a Strong Community supported by Quality Government

Description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

This is advanced level consultant work. Nursing Services Consultant has attained high competency nursing assessment and practice through professional nursing experience and additional training and education in a public health setting, or in occupational health nursing. Consultant performs specialized work in high-risk areas in child health, maternity, and in adult health communicable disease. Consultant serves as coordinator for Reach for Health Programs within Public Health or for Guilford County Government.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The Nursing Services Consultant has acquired all competencies of the Nurse Specialist II. Employee's concentration is in coordination of health services for high-risk clinical areas, and communicable infectious disease, or occupational health. Consultant works directly with clinical/community medical teams at local, surrounding county, and state levels. Positions function in a dual role both in community and clinic. Work is performed under the direction of a Nurse Services Manager, a Nurse Services Supervisor, or Public Health Program Manager. The focus of this position is in consultation and teaching. Nursing Services Consultant oversees Occupational Health Nursing Program, which includes supervision of small staff. Occupational Health Nursing Services Consultant reports to Public Health Program Manager.

Examples of Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Assesses all new high-risk patients and evaluations and assesses all services delivery.
• Coordinates regional and local health care services with multi-disciplinary staff.
• Educates hospital staff and physicians as to Public Health services.
• Participates in developing and implementing standards, policies, and procedures at local and regional levels to meet high-risk patient needs.
• Educates high-risk patients based on assessment of patient's individual needs and level of compensation.
• Coordinates and serves as charge nurse in specialty clinics.
• Orients new personnel, to clinical/community services.
• Interprets lab work and need to call physician(s).
• Observes and documents training needs of subordinates.
• Attends management meetings in absence of Nurse Services Manager.
• Serves on committees, task forces, association boards, and other community activities.
• Serves as consultant and resource contact for Public Health Department at local, regional, and state levels.
• Works closely with the Nurse Services Supervisor or Nurse Services Manager in the review of clinical and community operations. Makes recommendations based on identified needs, client records, and other statistics available for assessment.
• Recommends and conducts in-house training sessions.
• Accountable for statistical reporting in areas of specialization at local, regional, and state levels.
• Coordinates Reach for Health Program.

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of and skill in the application of nursing theory, practices, principles, and techniques employed in the field of public health and related programs.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing, or applicable public health laws and ordinances, and of the scope and aspects of the program of health education and administration.
• Thorough knowledge of the functions of other health social agencies and their relationship to the public health program.
• Thorough knowledge of occupational health nursing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with recipients of public health care, other public health agencies and the general public.
• Ability to understand and carry out detailed instructions of technical health laws and regulations and ability to keep records and make reports.
• Ability to plan, coordinate the work of others, and display interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deliver presentations and training.
• Ability to make in-depth assessments and demonstrate nursing skills to other nurses.

Typical Qualifications Minimum Qualifications Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a BS Degree in Nursing (BSN), which includes a Public Health nursing rotation and eighteen months of professional nursing experience in a public health setting or related environment and one year demonstrated experience in specialty area as a lead worker; OR, and Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) with 36 months experience in a public health setting or related environment and two years demonstrated experience in specialty area as a lead worker. Experience may include education in the form of workshops, certification, and/or graduate programs related to the clinical area. Additional training to include didactic, supervision, and management may be required.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATION

Possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and such other qualifications which may be prescribed by the State Department of Health. Supplemental Information Physical Demands and Work Conditions Sits, walks and stands during a workday. Practices good body mechanics. Must be able to physically perform the basic life support functions of walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to lift patients (children) and objects up to 30 pounds as required for some positions. Must have the visual acuity to record observations and physical assessments of clients, to read and interpret test results, administer immunizations/prescription dosages, and record medical findings. Nurse may occasionally be in contact with difficult patients, may be exposed to infection from disease-bearing patients, and specimens, and will have periodic exposure to hazards in the field (driving, rural or inner-city settings, inclement weather, clients). Work conditions may be mildly disagreeable if working in poor home environments or with difficult patients.

May Require Driving This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria. If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Special Note This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. These documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.

Benefits

We are excited about the opportunity of having you as a prospective new employee! You probably already know our county is a wonderful county to live in, but did you know it is also a wonderful place to work? Below are a few of the reasons why we love working for Guilford County. We offer Health Insurance (UnitedHealthCare) to all benefitted employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week. The shared cost of the premium is based on scheduled/budgeted hours. If you are a full-time employee working 40 hours a week you can expect to pay less than $35 a month for medical coverage, dental coverage for $4 a month and vision coverage for $5 a month. That's less than $45 a month for medical, dental & vision coverage; that's unheard of. Telehealth UHC Virtual Visits are available to you with no copay or out of pocket expense. We are excited to inform you Guilford County has an Employee Wellness Center (24/7 access) with strength training equipment, cardio machines and a group exercise room with virtual or in person coaching from our Wellness Specialist! Employee Assistance Program, 100% funded by the county. A superb benefit for you and your family absolutely free. Confidential help with personal or work-related issues. 13 paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 12 vacation days a year. That's 37 paid days a year, totaling almost 2 months of paid time off. Employer contributes 5% into your 401(k) - no match required. Enrollment in the State Retirement Plan by contributing 6%. Longevity pay beginning at five years of service. We provide a $10,000 Life and AD&D benefit to eligible employees. Flexible spending accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside tax-free dollars for health care and dependent care. Voluntary Life, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.

Guilford County is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to employees and applicants for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or political affiliation. The County is committed to complying with all applicable federal, state and local laws that pertain to employment, and to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination of any kind. If you need an auxiliary aide, make the request forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the time the accommodation is needed by calling 336-641-3324.