PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE SUPERVISOR

Position Summary:
The Public Health Nurse (PHN) Supervisor will be responsible for establishing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the quality/performance and patient safety of patients served by the Public Health Nursing department. Responsible for assuring compliance with the Joint Commission Accreditation and other government regulations as well as the PHN Scope and Standards of Practice. Responsible for assisting with the development and coordination of services with a multi-disciplinary care team. Responsible for overseeing PHN staff to positively impact services to high- risk groups to contain communicable disease outbreaks including foodborne illnesses, immunization preventable illnesses, TB, Sexually Transmitted Disease and communicable diseases. Responsible for the oversight of PHN staff who perform home visits in the areas of Maternal/Child/Health, prenatal to Geriatric nursing; chronic patients with varying health conditions; school health to provide immunization updates; mobile unit. Will direct the PHN staff to provide program support by assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating a comprehensive community health nursing program to meet the care needs of the patients and clients in the assigned area.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
•    Coordinate and participate in the planning and delivery of health care services through collaboration with various resources to include SMH providers, case management, various Tribal, State, and County agencies. Communicates utilizing a variety of tools to effectively convey ideas, updates regarding program goals and objectives to appropriate entities. Develops and maintains knowledge of regulatory agencies within the geographic service area.
•    Coordinates and leads multi-disciplinary care team in the planning and implementation of care for high-risk groups (Food Borne Illnesses, TB, STI, Vaccine Preventable disease, high-risk elders, high-risk obstetrics, and vaccinations for homebound patients). Collaborates and coordinates care activities with existing Navajo Nation Tribal programs (TB Technician, STI Technician, Community Health Representatives, Community Health Educators).
•    Conducts and coordinates epidemiological surveys and investigation with appropriate personnel, surveillance of index case and contacts. Provides and participates in Epi- response/emergency preparedness in the community in collaboration with all local, Tribal, State, County, and National Emergency Preparedness Programs.
 •    Coordinates needs assessment survey, identifies community resources in assigned area, gathers/complies community profile data and prioritizes health needs.
•    Participates in quality assurance activities including evaluation of PHN program activities and improving quality patient-care outcomes. In-depth knowledge of public health principles, including population-based services, evidence-based practice, prevention and community assessment.
•    The Public Health Nursing Supervisor is tasked to develop short- and long-term program goals and objectives based upon the community needs assessment, and National Healthy People initiatives.
May cover for PHN in the field with home visits: 
•    Provides direct patient care and related tasks; provides nursing services and education to patient’s one-to-one, group, or in a community setting. Independently makes home visits, elicits or explains medical information, provides basic care and education to patients with a variety of conditions, illnesses and/or injuries. Responsible for obtaining and recording patient information as assigned by PHN policies (i.e., vital signs, blood sugar, pain assessment, medication information, etc.).
•    Patient/Client documentation reflects appropriate Nursing process in the “S.O.A.P” format submitted in timely manner. Responsible for documenting patient care encounters in the Electronic Health Record by the end of the shift.
•    Adheres to confidentiality SMH policies, and HIPAA/Hitech regulations. Documents actions and activities by completing required forms, reports, logs, and patient records
•    Keeps vehicle and equipment operating by following operating instructions; daily observations and documentation, troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
•    Ensure proper PPE is always worn while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available),