SENIOR COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE - 64029321 1 1

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County.  If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place.  Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida.  We hope you decide to join our team!  Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Polk County in its mission to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.  

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a Senior Community Health Registered Nurse that is responsible for the community health nursing services at the Lakeland Clinic in Polk County Health Department under the supervision of the Senior Community Health Nursing Supervisor.  Most of the population consists of low to middle income families with multiple medical and socio-economic problems

 Community Health Nursing Services include, but are not limited to the following programs:

• Maternal Health
• Family Planning
• Immunizations
• Communicable Disease
• Adult Health

Clinical Duties Include:

• Preparation of the clinic area and equipment
• Assist physician and/or ARNP as needed
• Interpret and reinforce their instructions to clients
• Interview clients to obtain complete health history and presenting complaints
• Take vital signs and perform other screening tests
• Collect specimens for laboratory tests or interpret laboratory tests
• Assist in the lab to obtain lab draws, urine pregnancy test results, urine testing results using the urine analyzer
• Administer medications as ordered by physician/ARNP or under medical protocol
• Make appropriate referrals and assist clients to make necessary arrangements for follow up
• Experienced in Electronic Health Records and enters and completes correct client information into record.
• Works closely with physician/ARNP regarding consultation/orders for all clients.
• Provides screening for the HIV antibody virus, pre-and posttest counsels, provides education, and refers for medical evaluation and other support services

Case Management:

• Assess needs and plan with families to meet these needs
• Give and/or demonstrates nursing care specific to client’s needs
• Communicates with physicians, HMOs and other community agencies regarding appropriate referral services and to provide continuity of care
• Follows up on all abnormal Pap smears, epidemiological abnormal labs and any other tests/labs requested by providers or as needed.
• Maintain appropriate records and reports regarding abnormal Pap reports, colposcopies, Family Planning clients (tubal ligation/occlusion, vasectomy)
• Reviews records for accuracy and completeness for QI audits.

Other Responsibilities:

• Participates in staff and in-service educational programs
• Attends assigned committee meetings
• Maintains time/attendance/EARs/travel records
• Maintains and increases competency through educational materials and classes
• Assists in orientation of new personnel and preceptorship of students assigned to the clinic
• Coordinate the various skills of staff members toward the objectives of improved health in the community
• Assists with supervision of the clinical staff and clinic as assigned by the Clinical Nursing Supervisor
• Assists with inventory of supplies, medications and vaccines
• This position may serve clients that speak only Spanish, Creole, or other languages.  It may require performance of interpreter duties, if bilingual, or implementation of the Department’s Limited English Proficiency Plan.
• Performs other duties as required, including performance of additional interpreter duties, consistent with skill level, and as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of infection control techniques and guidelines.
• Knowledge of nursing principles, practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to administer treatments and medicine.
• Ability to work with patients having a variety of physical and social problems.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignment.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to record data accurately and completely in client Electronic Health Record.
• Ability to prioritize work assignments.

Qualifications:

• Licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in accordance with Florida Statute 464 or eligible to practice nursing in accordance with Florida Administrative Code 210-8.27. 
• Valid Florida Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.

Other job-related requirements for this position: 

Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency.  Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Lakeland, FL

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check. 

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration: (877) 562-7287.

Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call (866) 221-0268.