Public Health Nurse II- Infection Prevention Program

# Job SummaryThe Public Health Nurse II works in a population-based practice setting in Clark County. The position provides expertise in assessing infection prevention practices and capacity, outbreak management, preparation efforts for highly pathogenic infections (e.g. Ebola, measles), and surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) with the primary focus on non-hospital settings (e.g., ambulatory care, long-term care facilities). This is a represented union position that reports directly to the Infection Prevention Program Manager. This position will work an 8-hour schedule Monday through Friday.

Organizational responsibilities include understanding and promoting the public health mission of the department; providing courteous, respectful, efficient customer service to all department clients; honoring diversity of all department employees and constituents; participating in department training; and striving for personal excellence in public health work.# Qualifications****Education and Experience:***** Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. The degree must have been conferred by an institution of higher education and have National Recognition of Accrediting Agencies by the U.S. Secretary of Education, and official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.* Two to four years combination of experience to include clinical experience in a healthcare facility and infection prevention, epidemiology, or infectious disease surveillance experience.* Demonstrated working knowledge of Federal, State and Regional requirements.* Strong background using science and data to make decisions and implement public health services.***Preferred Qualifications:**** Certificate in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) or eligible for certification within 2 years of hire.* Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN) or Public Health (MPH).* Research and basic statistical knowledge.* Demonstrated experience effectively communicating with others, verbally and in writing, including the use of e-mail systems and the development of complex, clinical, or technical documents.* Association for Practitioners in Infection Control (APIC) training course or equivalent desired.Infection Prevention Program ActivitiesFTE: 0.6

* Partner with facility leaders, physicians, and local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention.* Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and ensure that the facility leaders are informed of appropriate issues; understand and comply with infection control, safety, and OSHA procedures and regulations.* Follow department policies and procedures and standing orders as well as state and national guidelines for the management of HAI’s.* Support the planning and implementation of Infection Prevention and outbreak response control strategies, programmatic outreach activities and other special projects.* Complete any mandatory or relevant training as determined by the Infection Prevention Program Manager.* Compile and complete any program related reports as required by the Infection Prevention Program Manager.* Support quality assurance programs for Infection Prevention Program.* In partnership with the Program Manager facilitate development or revision of program related policies, procedures or standing orders as needed.* Provide consultation, technical expertise, and educational or training opportunities to public health partners and community stakeholders (e.g., health care providers, schools, LTCF, community-based organizations) to increase local and regional capacity to effectively prevent and control HAI’s and MDRO’s through implementation of evidence-based infection prevention best practices.* Participate in the development and dissemination of educational resources tailored for specific care delivery setting (long term, community based, urgent care) based on gaps identified through assessments and engagement with local partners.* Participate in the development and implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program or other antibiotic utilization management program across Southwest Washington.* Actively participate in community and regional HAI activities to foster stronger partnership building and engagement.* Participate in the maintenance of a comprehensive contact database of community healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, and schools to facilitate rapid and targeted dissemination of health alerts and critical immediate public health information to appropriate internal and external recipients.Response to Notifiable Conditions & OutbreaksFTE: 0.20* Conduct outbreak investigations* Collaborate with local, state, and regional partners (i.e. medical centers, LTCF, public health labs, state and federal agencies) to respond to infectious disease situations and outbreaks, with a focus on healthcare associated infections (HAI) and multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO).* Develop partnerships with Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), relevant Department of Health (DOH) programs (Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Public Health Laboratory, Information Resources Management Division, Communications Office, Health Systems Quality Assurance Division), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other national associations.* Participate in (and coordinate when needed) local and regional preparation efforts for highly pathogenic infections (e.g. Ebola, MERS, measles).* Engage with healthcare and non-healthcare providers to promote improved surveillance of HAI’s through integration of surveillance systems and enhanced reporting).General Program Support

FTE: 0.05* Performs laboratory result interpretation and facilitates surveillance activities related to infectious diseases and reporting.* Demonstrates proficiency in using various computer applications (e.g. MS Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) as applicable to design or complete forms, correspondence, spreadsheets, data entry, etc.* Effectively operates complex equipment and office machinery, which includes computer, printers, scanners, and facsimile machines.* Provides courteous and culturally competent customer service to providers, clients, and the public. Responds to routine inquires by phone or face to face; listens to questions and explains procedures, rules, or functions according to relevant program guidelines; fulfills requests for information or directs clients to appropriate person or section.* Participate in team planning and implementation of unit work plans; attend unit meetings; and provide input into ongoing program evaluation.* Support the development or revision of program related policies, procedures or standing orders as needed.* Support program quality assurance efforts for HAI and outbreak response related activities to evaluate effectiveness of response efforts, investigational tools, educational resources developed, and trainings and outreach activities provided by CCPH.* Generate as requested by Program Manager complex reports and/or presentations specifically tailed for the intended target audience.* Assist in the processing, packaging, and shipping of human specimens as needed.* Other duties as assigned.Provide Emergency ServicesFTE 0.05* In the event of a disaster, Public Health is considered a first responder and public health staff may be asked to respond accordingly. May participate in incident command system response to control disease outbreaks. May serve a command position in incident command system response or participate in mass vaccination clinics on-site and emergency response drills.* Must be able to respond to public health emergencies or exercises at any time, except while on scheduled vacation #J-18808-Ljbffr