The Louisiana Department of Health is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through direct provision of quality services, the development and stimulation of services of others, and the utilization of available resources in the most effective manner.
LDH serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities.
This position is located within the Louisiana Department of Health / Office of Public Health / Region 6-BRCO / Vernon Parish
Announcement Number: OPH/EL/200914 Cost Center: 3262109006 Position Number(s): 50364754 This vacancy is being announced as a Classified position and will be filled as a Probationary appointment.
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
Job Description:This Registered Nurse 4 is assigned to the Vernon Parish Health Unit in the Region 6 Office of Public Health and works as a public health nurse in the parish health unit and lead worker over professionals and paraprofessional. This Register Nurse 4 serves an Assistant Nursing Supervisor. As the lead nurse and only nurse at the Vernon PHU this RN performs all public health nursing activities, oversees parish health unit operation in collaboration with the Administrative Coordinator 4, and performs job duties as outlined and assigned. The Registered Nurse 4 practices within the scope of practice by the Louisiana Nurse Act (LRS 37:911) and adheres to the policies, procedures and standards of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals/Office of Public Health. This Registered Nurse 4 is accountable for promoting a positive image and working harmoniously with other members of the health care team. This Registered Nurse 4 functions as the lead nurse in Reproductive Health, Immunizations, and Tuberculosis clinic at the Vernon Parish health unit and performs generalized nursing duties according to OPH policies and program protocols in the following programs: Women’s Infants, and Children (WIC), Immunizations, Reproductive Health, Tuberculosis, etc. Additional functions of this position include responding to emergencies and public health threats 24/7, i.e. hurricanes, floods, Pandemic Flu, and other public health threats as they emerge. Administrative supervision is received from the Regional Nurse Manager.
70 % Serves as lead nurse and functions in a supervisory role by providing daily supervision over the Health Educator and Nutrition Educator ensuring that clinic functions are fulfilled at the most optimal level. Collaborates all clinic activities with Regional Nurse Manager. Establishes short and long term goals and plans unit operations and nursing care for the Vernon Parish Health Unit. Monitors public health practice for quality and appropriate utilization of services. Serves as the Lead Nurse in the Tuberculosis, Reproductive Health, STD and Immunization clinics. Responsible for all follow-up of clients and the maintenance of immunizations, pharmacy drugs, and supplies for the smooth operation of clinical services. Utilizes the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation in the practice of professional nursing. Monitors TB patients in the home and/or clinic setting. Administers direct observed therapy to TB patients and contacts. Performs monthly symptom review, administering of T-spot testing, and provides appropriate instruction on self-collection and handling sputum samples, interprets lab test results and collaborates with the Regional Tuberculosis Clinic on follow-up care. Responsible for the documentation and posting of lab results in the client’s record. Coordinates patient care with the Disease Intervention Specialist in the contact investigation, treatment, and education of patients with communicable disease. Obtains medical and sexual histories, anthropometric measurements, obtains lab specimens, and provides treatment and appropriate intervention according to established protocols. Assists clinicians with exams in the reproductive health clinics. Follows up on family planning abnormal labs and refers appropriately. Educates patients in special procedures, provides preventative education and counsels clients and families on such topics as infant care, hygiene, nutrition, parenting, safety, self-breast exams, birth control methods, STD, and HIV prevention, etc. Obtains blood and other specimens for testing of Chlamydia, Syphilis, HIV, glucose testing, hemoglobin, urine pregnancy tests, etc. Refers to other OPH services such as Children’s Special Health Services, Early Steps, Nurse Family Partnership, and private providers or community agencies for treatment, follow-up or assistance. Maintains adequate required pharmaceuticals, appropriate equipment, and educational materials for the delivery of care. Maintains CLIA and laboratory guidelines in the performance of nursing duties. Monitors and maintains monthly lab logs, lab controls, and other Quality assurance measures. Documents lab results in the Electronic Health Record. Follows HIPAA guidelines in the dissemination of medical records and client confidentiality.
20 % Serves as a STD clinician in the treatment, counseling, and monitoring of Reproductive Health patients in the parish health unit. Conducts nursing assessments of patients, completes medical and sexual histories, obtains lab specimens for IgG syphilis, HIV, gonorrhea and Chlamydia, and provides for the treatment and counseling according to the standing orders established by the OPH STD program. Participates and collaborates with the Disease Intervention Specialists in the contact investigation, treatment, and education of Individuals infected with sexually transmitted infection. Participates in the OPH Continuous Quality Improvement Plan for the Reproductive Health / STD program. Performs generalized nursing duties in other OPH clinics such as Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Immunizations, etc. Obtains complete health history, conducts nursing assessments, and provides direct patient care according to OPH policies and protocols. Educates patients in special procedures, provides preventative health education and counsels clients and families on such topics as infant care, hygiene, nutrition, parenting, safety, self-breast examination, birth control methods, maternity care, sexually transmitted diseases, etc. Administers immunizations and other medication as appropriate, providing education on side effects and adverse reactions. Enters data of vaccine administered in the state wide LINKS (computerized system). Utilizes Electronic Health Record, LINKS, and WICLims systems in the delivery and documentation of services.
5% Provides professional nursing care, leadership and /or surveillance in response to emergency situations in the community and statewide in the staffing of Medical Special Needs Shelters (MSNS) and other public health responses to emergencies. Participate in OPH training for MSNS. Collaborates with environmental health personnel and regional epidemiologist in collecting data, case management, follow-up, community education and referral of groups or individuals who are a risk for exposure to environmental and disease entities, i.e. West Nile Virus, Food Borne illnesses, Pandemic Flu, etc. Serves as a collaborative resource in child abuse cases and provides home visits with OCS if needed. Provides home visits with the Regional Social Worker for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome cases to provide family support and education when appropriate. Maintains CPR certification.
5% Attends seminars, workshops, webinars, and in-service training and other continuing education programs as required for job performance and to maintain professional expertise and licensing. Utilizes interpersonal communication skills in a customer-focused environment, which includes all disciplines of employees, visitors, and clients. Accepts and performs additional duties not listed in the job description to ensure smooth agency operations at all levels – parish, regional, and state.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
*A resume upload will NOT populate your information into your application. Work experience left off your electronic application or only included in an attached resume is not eligible to receive credit For further information about this vacancy contact:
Ella Lewis
Ella.Lewis2@la.gov LDH/HUMAN RESOURCES
BATON ROUGE, LA 70821
225 342-6477
This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Possession of a valid Louisiana license or temporary permit to practice professional nursing or a multi-state license issued by a Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC/eNLC) state plus two years of professional nursing experience.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
A baccalaureate degree in nursing will substitute for one year of the required experience.
A master's degree in nursing or public health will substitute for one year of the required experience.
Specialized degrees less than a doctorate will substitute for a maximum of one year of the required experience.
A doctorate in nursing or public health will substitute for the two years of the required experience.
NOTE: Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.
FUNCTION OF WORK:
To provide specialized clinical duties for a specific patient set, to serve as the assistant supervisor in a public health setting, or to serve as the coordinator/team leader of a training/education program(s).
LEVEL OF WORK:
Advanced.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
General from a Registered Nurse Supervisor A or B, but may receive supervision from other higher level personnel.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
May provide functional supervision over lower level nurses, paraprofessional, and/or professional personnel.
LOCATION OF WORK:
Statewide.
JOB DISTINCTIONS:
Differs from Registered Nurse 3 by the presence of specialized clinical duties for a specific patient set, serving as the assistant supervisor in a public health setting, or serving as the coordinator of training/education programs.
Differs from Registered Nurse Program Coordinator by the absence of agency wide programmatic responsibility.
Differs from Registered Nurse Supervisor A by the absence of direct supervision.
See allocation criteria memo.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
EXAMPLES BELOW ARE A BRIEF SAMPLE OF COMMON DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB TITLE. NOT ALL POSSIBLE TASKS ARE INCLUDED.
Provides direct care to specific patients, i.e. neo-natal intensive care, medical surgery (O.R.), psychiatric, or oncology.
Prepares individual nursing care plans.
Writes standards of care for patients with specialized illnesses or conditions.
May provide nursing care to the most severe and/or terminal patients.
Confers with head nurse to provide support services that facilitate the delivery of patient care.
Monitors the implementation and quality of patient care.
Assists nursing staff to increase clinical competence.
Initiates evaluation and revision of standards of care.
Evaluates patient care practices according to established nursing care standards and performs quality assurance controls to ensure that standards of care are being met.
Plans and maintains an effective unit orientation program.
Plans, develops, and implements the nursing education program of a facility.
Develops and conducts orientation programs for new employees.
Coordinates and develops patient education programs and trains nurse instructors.
Determines needs for in-service training and continuing education courses for professional and non-professional employees.
Conducts research for the development of training courses.
Serves as consultant to nursing staff on specific educational needs or problems.
Develops and conducts in-service training and patient education programs, including the production of educational media.
Presents specific certification programs, e.g., cardiopulmonary resuscitation, medication administration, etc.
Assists in developing and updating nursing policies and procedures manuals.
Maintains records of employees' participation in in-service and continuing education programs.
PUBLIC HEALTH OPTION:
Serves as assistant supervisor or as regional staff nurse in establishing short and long-term goals and work planning for any OPH program.
Assist in the supervision of activities in clinics to ensure that patients receive needed services, program requirements are maintained, and appropriate follow-up appointments or treatment are provided. Monitors compliance of medical records.
Assists in the preparation of budget and management reports, in staff scheduling, and continuous quality improvement activities.
Provides professional nursing care to individuals, families, and communities in public health program clinics, communities, shelters and/or any additional site needed for public health services.
Collaborates with environmental health personnel and regional epidemiologist in the collection of data, case management, follow-up, community education, and referral of those at risk for exposure to environmental and disease entities.
Participates and collaborates with Disease Intervention Specialists in the contact investigation, treatment and education of individuals infected with communicable diseases.
Conducts infectious disease and bioterrorism surveillance activities and follow-up on household and community contacts of cases. Facilitates the reportable disease and syndromic surveillance in emergency rooms. Assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of a surveillance system that tracks hospital and ICU admissions and hospital beds occupied.
Provides care coordination services for vulnerable populations.
Provides in-service training and orientation to new personnel as needed; assists the supervisor in providing in-service instruction for public health program requirements, policies and protocols; assists with caseload management.
Instructs patients on prevention and health maintenance on specific health conditions. Coordinates patient access to care, as well as referral to community resources.
Advises official bodies and civic, private or public agencies regarding community health issues, outbreaks, and national health objectives.
Supervises, educates, and provides professional nursing care in response to emergency situations in the community and statewide on a 24-hour basis. Ensures emergency care equipment is available. Participates in Emergency Preparedness, in the staffing of Special Needs Shelters, Bioterrorism Preparedness, and other public health responses to Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Responds to emergencies and public health/bioterrorist threats on a 24-hour basis.
