Public Health Nurse III (Jail Health)

General Statement of Duties

Forsyth County Department of Public Health is seeking a Public Health Nurse III to be part of the jail medical monitoring nurse/communicable disease nurse team. This position will monitor and work in conjunction with the Sheriff's Office to oversee the jail contract regarding inmate health.

A well-qualified applicant shall have experience in correctional, clinical, communicable disease, or public health nursing. As well as, a solid foundation in descriptive statistics or advances qualitative and quantitative research methodology. Experience in quality assurance/quality improvement or legal nurse consulting. The ability to plan, coordinate and oversee the work of others. Ability to record accurately services rendered and to interpret and explain records, interpret and explain records, reports and medical instructions. Some telework options available.

This position may require weekend, late night or early morning random jail visits.

This position will require the ability to pass a jail background check and permission to access county jail.

Distinguishing Features

A well qualified applicant shall have experience in correctional, clinical, communicable disease and/or public health nursing. As well as, a solid foundation in descriptive statistics or advanced qualitative and quantitative research methodology;

Thorough knowledge of and skill in the application of nursing theory, practice, principles and techniques employed in the field of public health and related programs;

For employees in expanded role positions, considerable knowledge of available resources and organizations and the ability to coordinate these as needed;

General knowledge of current social and economic problems relating to public health, including health disparities;

Ability to plan, coordinate and overseethe work of others;

Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgmentin appraising situations and make decisions;

Ability to work in partnershipwith patients and with other service providers to elicit needed information and to maintain effective working relationships;

Ability to record accurately services rendered and to interpret and explain records, reports, and medical instructions;

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and practices of public health; and

Adequate computer skills to allow communication, patient record documentation and accessing of information.

Minimum Education and Experience

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a B.S. in Nursing which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation and two years of professional nursing experience in specialty area assigned; or

Masters in Public Health and graduation from a school of professional nursing and two years of professional nursing experience; or

Graduation from a school of professional nursing and three years of professional nursing experience in specialty area assigned or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Individuals hired without a rotation through a public health department as part of educational requirement will be required to complete Introduction to the Public Health Nursing course within one year of hire.

Must have a valid NC Drivers License.

Certified Correctional Health Professional is preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Monitor and assess clinical contract compliance and performance of the vendor/contractor providing inmate health services to the jail to include an evaluation of clinical performance, pharmacy and compliance with staffing levels relative to accrediting standards, industry standards, regulations, state and federal law, and public health guidelines and practices.

Assure contractor and vendor work with public health and provide adequate and appropriate level of public health services particularly infectious disease control and prevention.

Investigateclinical issues/health grievances related to inmates.

Evaluate and document data for clinical services monitoring reports for the medical services review team, the health department administration, Sheriff's office and county administration.

Informing through reports to publichealth administration, the Sheriff's office, the medical service review team and county administration as public health concerns, educational concerns regarding vendor, evaluation recommendations, policy change, contract amendments or any other concerning factor.

Apply quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for clinical performance and applying methods to auditing tool.

Confirms, investigates, implements control measures for communicable diseased and outbreaks.

Reports communicable diseases in Forsyth County to NC Division of Public Health electronically.

Collaborates with other jurisdictions on reportable communicable disease reporting and investigations.