Public Health Nurse (VDH00679)

Title: Public Health Nurse (VDH00679)

State Role Title: Registered Nurse I

Hiring Range: $65,500 - $75,500

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: RAP-RAP-ORANGE

Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock-rapidan/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Public Health Nurse (PHN) plays a vital role in promoting, protecting, and improving the health of the community through direct clinical services, health education, case management, and disease prevention initiatives. Based in the Orange County Health Department, the PHN serves as a key point of contact for individuals and families, providing nursing assessments, administering immunizations, conducting communicable disease investigations, and supporting maternal and child health programs. This position is essential to ensuring access to critical public health services, building community trust, and strengthening local health outcomes. The PHN collaborates closely with community partners, healthcare providers, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver compassionate, culturally sensitive care that meets the unique needs of our residents.

A. Program Support
Uses the nursing process to assess, develop/implement care plans, and evaluate outcomes. Uses the Quad Council’s Core Community/Public Health Nursing Competencies as an evidence-based platform for practice.
Recognizes the diversity of individuals/populations and applies the appropriate language and communication tools; this may include but not limited to individuals from different cultural, socio-economic, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression
Adheres to nursing directives, agency protocols and guidelines
Practices within the realm of the Nurse Practice Act and related Acts governing health professionals and health laws
Assesses the health status and health literacy of individuals and families, including determinants of health, using multiple sources of data
Applies ethical, legal and policy guidelines and principles in the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and inform
Uses information technology effectively to collect, analyze, store and retrieve data related to public health nursing services for individuals, families and groups
Uses evidence-based strategies or promising practices from across disciplines to promote health in communities and populations
Applies methods and practices to access public health information for individuals, families and groups
Uses assessments, develops plans, implements and evaluates interventions for public health services for individuals, families and groups
May administer routine child and adult immunizations to clients
Demonstrates ethical standards of practice in all aspects of public health and public health nursing as the basis of all interactions with individuals, communities, and organizations

B. Workload & Case Administration
Sets priorities for completing of program responsibilities and work assignments
Uses data, evidence and information technology to understand the impact of determinants of health on individuals, families, and groups
Uses information on determinants of health effectively when working with diverse individuals, families, and groups
Assists individuals, families, and groups to identify and access necessary community resources or services through the referral and follow-up process
Uses research to inform the practice of public health nursing
Demonstrates compliance with the requirements of patient confidentiality and human subject protection
Models public health science skills when working with individuals, families, and groups

C. Direct Patient Care
Provides competent, high quality and safe nursing/case management in clinic, community, home and other settings in a confidential, customer-oriented manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate for the client
Uses the nursing process to assess, develop/implement care plans, and evaluate outcomes
Teaches/counsels clients and families regarding health promotion and disease prevention
Select variables that measure health and public health conditions
Identifies opportunities for individuals, families and groups to link with advocacy organizations
May perform duties to include communicable disease investigation, ability to be fit tested for an N95 or other respirator, ability to don/doff PPE, support emergency shelters, and other duties

D. Special Assignments
May be required to perform other duties as assi