PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE –ADULT SERVICES

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

This position is primarily responsible for client care for people who are elderly or have a disability or mental illness.  There is a great deal of autonomy in this position so the ability to work well independently as well as being a part of a team is a must.  Travel within Chisago County is required.  Other duties include case management and community health public nursing activities such as blood pressure clinics, health fairs, etc.

 

QUALIFICATION & REQUIREMENTS:

A valid RN with PHN registration or BSN license and valid driver license is required.  Current knowledge of home care regulations including OASIS is a plus.

 

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

Under general supervision, is responsible for client care in a community health services/public health nursing program; works with schools, local hospitals, county welfare departments, and other agencies in providing public health nursing services to communities, families, and individuals; provides skilled nursing care in the home; instructs individuals and group in prevention of illness, maintenance of individual, family and community health, and care of the sick; and performs related work as assigned.

 

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 1. Education and Experience

a. Graduation from high school or equivalent.

b. Certification as a public health nurse in Minnesota and current licensure as a registered nurse in Minnesota.  (A valid RN with PHN registration or BSN license.)

 

2. Knowledge, skills and abilities

a. Through knowledge of the application of nursing practices and public health nursing theory.

b. Ability to apply principles of public health to communities, families, and individuals and to provide skilled nursing care to clients.

c. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, agency staff members, other agency professional representatives and the general public.

d. Ability to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills to new situations.

e. Ability to supervise and direct the work of others.

f.  Ability to communicate effectively and make independent decision.

g. Ability to assess nursing needs and to develop and carry out nursing care plans.

h. Current knowledge of home care regulations including OASIS.



 

I.  Perform Communication Activities

A.  Refer clients to internal/external resources.

1. Determines if client should be referred to an internal/external resource

2. Select and recommend to the client an internal/external resource that will provide appropriate services.

B. Document Client Treatment

1. Write admissions orders in conjunction with attending physician.

2. Write intake information.

3. Write orders or plan of action on client records.

4. Write orders (Except admissions) on client records.

5. Document date on client's record (e.g. findings, services, treatment, goals, results).

6. Provide written reports of care provided.

7. Write discharge or termination summary based on assessment, visits, and documentation.

C.  Travel (travel time only)

1. Travel to patient's home to provide home care services and treatments.

2. Travel to clinic, inspection, or meeting sites to provide services, treatment, or attend meetings.

3. Deliver and/or pick up supplies, equipment, specimens, documents, dietary articles or

medications to and from home settings, schools, pharmacies, laboratories, etc.

 

II. Assess Client Physical Condition

A.  Collect Client Health Data

1. Interview client or caregiver to obtain social/physical history, physical assessment, and Problem list.

2. Interview other members of the Health Care Team (e.g., physician, HHA, Nursing Supervisor, Nursing Assistant) to obtain additional patient information.

3. Identify situations that are life threatening (e.g., allergic reactions, drug insulin reactions, overdoses)

4. Assess immunization status

B. Take Measurements.

1. Take and record client's general physical measurements such as height, weight, temperature, pulse, respiration, and OFC (head circumference)

C.  Perform Physical Assessment

1. Perform routine physical assessment (e.g., identify G/U or G/I status, assess dental status, condition of skin, and/or cleanliness/hygiene)

2. Perform advanced physical assessment (e.g., systems review, functional status, neurological assessment)

D.  Collect or Test Specimens

1. Collect specimens (e.g., clean catch urine, stool, blood, vomitus)

2. Draw blood from Hickman/Boviac Catheter and/or draw blood using venipuncture.

3. Draw Blood sample via finger stick

4. Perform blood tests (e.g., Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Sugar) or test urine samples.

5. Collect sterile specimens (e.g. collect sputum and/or throat cultures by inserting throat swabs, wound cultures, or urine from a catheter)

 

III. Develop Care Plan

A.  Make Nursing Diagnosis and Develop Care Plan

1. Formulate nursing diagnosis by analyzing medical history, physical assessment, and results of diagnostic tests/procedures.

2. Inform physicians of findings.

3. Determine appropriate short-term and long-term nursing care plan

4. Review and translate physician's orders into appropriate short-term and long-term nursing goals

5. Inform client of findings and care required; work with client/client's family to develop and accept care plan.

6. Modify care plan in response to changes in patient's bio-physiosocial status.

 

IV. Implement and Evaluate Care Plan

A.  Coordinate delivery of Care Plan

1. Collaborate with other members of the Health Care Team to solve problems

2. Notify physician or emergency personnel of changes in client's condition that require immediate action

3. Notify nurse of changes in client's condition that require immediate action.

B. Assist Client in Maintaining Optimal Comfort and Personal Hygiene

1. Teach and/or assist clients with Range-of-Motion Exercises

2. Motivate/guide clients to improve skills and become more independent.

C.  Administer Immunization, Prescribed Medication or Treatments

1. Administer Immunizations

2. Administer prescribed medication via intramuscular or subcutaneous injection (Using nonmechanical syringe)

3. Administer prescribed medications (e.g., topical, oral, rectal, vaginal, or injectable)

4. Give enemas

5. Care for special skin problems (e.g. decubitus treatment or post-IV, colostomy, or barium enema procedures.

D.  Review and Maintain Supplies for Proper Amount, Safety, and Expiration Date.

1. Review medication orders for correct dosage, allergies, and drug incompatibilities with other drugs.

2. Check home care patient's medications/narcotics to ensure that they are secure and stored safely.

E. Handle Dressing, Sutures.

1. Apply/change/remove sterile dressing

2. Apply/change/remove nonsterile dressings or T-binders.

F. Administer Care Involving Tubes, Irrigation, or Suction

1. Performs irrigations, suctions, stomal care, and/or insertions of Urinary Bladder Catheter

G.  Perform Emergency/Necessary Life-Saving Measures

1. Perform First Aide

H.  Provide Nutritional Care

1. Assess nutritional needs, develop therapeutic diet, and instruct/counsel client on proper nutrition (including food packages/diet)

I.  Provide Emotional Support Related Health and Disease

1. Provide client with emotional support

2. Assist family in coping with normal and abnormal behaviors

J.  Provide Individual Client Education

1. Determine educational needs of clients.

2. Give instruction to client in routine situations

3. Evaluate client learning

K.  Evaluate Client Care Plan

1. Assess improvement or deterioration of client's overall condition, determine if client's health care goals have been met, and determine compliance with physicians orders

2. Report client progress/problems to nursing/clinical supervisor/activity coordinator

3. Make recommendation to professional staff for changes in client care plan

 

V.  Perform Administrative Activities

A.  Conduct or attend meetings, seminars, and special functions

1. Participate in Case Review, staff meetings, etc.

B. Deliver Presentations.

1. Deliver a presentation to provide information (e.g., status report, new program/service or department/function announcement, procedural changes)

C.  Provide Information and Assistance

1. Determine fees for services (e.g., financial, residential) and inform individuals/families on their eligibility to receive the services

 

VI. Supervise Employees

A.  Delegate work, Administer Compensation, and Develop/Assess Employee Performance

1. Assign tasks, projects, or areas of responsibility and organize workloads/priorities

2. Provide input to a supervisor about an employee's performance

 

VII.  Conduct or Participate in Training and/or Education

A.  Participate in Training and/or Education Programs

1. Attend classes, courses, seminars, workshops and participate in on-the-job training

2. Read publications and study current techniques, practices, equipment, and legalities of profession.

 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Blood pressure cuff, glucometer, syringes, nail care equipment, venipuncture equipment, computer, telephone, copier