Job Summary

This position supports the Communicable Disease & Tuberculosis (TB) services unit within the Clark County Public Health Infectious Disease Program.

This unit is responsible for the investigation, prevention, and control of communicable diseases in Clark County. The unit provides rapid response to disease outbreaks, including case investigation, TB case management, response, and implementation of preventive measures to control disease spread in the community.

The incumbent will perform a variety of public health nursing activities related to the control of tuberculosis and other communicable diseases, including surveillance and response. Activities include client interviews, implementation of disease control measures, case management, policy development, partnerships, communication, education, and problem solving. Services are provided at a variety of locations, such as over the phone, client homes and other community locations according to protocols and under the oversight of the Program Manager and the Health Officer. The position emphasizes health promotion and prevention of health problems. Activities may be focused on the individual, the community, or the systems level, depending on how the issue may best be addressed.

Public Health Nurses often work with people of diverse cultures, ethnicity, and sexual orientations. This is a union represented position that reports directly to the Infectious Disease 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.

This position is represented by Local 335 – LIUNA (Health Care Division, Laborers International Union of North America).

This position has the option of a partial remote work environment. However, the candidate selected must reside in OR or WA. No exceptions.

This job posting is open until filled. Interviews may be scheduled on an ongoing basis as qualified candidates apply. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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:

• 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.

New graduates will be considered if the candidate had a public health practicum that included experience in a public health setting. Current Washington State RN license and valid driver’s license is required at the time of appointment to the position. Finalists for the position must submit to a criminal background check, as required by RCW 43.43.830. 

The ideal candidate will have the following skills:

• Strong organizational and record keeping skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of infection disease prevention and control measures.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Knowledge of:

These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to successfully perform the essential functions of the job; they are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education, or licensure/certification.

• Conduct analysis and formulate conclusions.

• Identify occurrences, reservoirs, incubation periods, periods of communicability, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and susceptibility associated with the infectious disease process.

• Interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests.

• Washington State Nurse Practice Act.

Ability to:

• Foster effective working relationships and build consensus

• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information 

• Plan, organize, prioritize, work independently, and meet deadlines

• Use judgment and make sound decisions

• Work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization

• Evaluate own knowledge, practice, and learning needs and take steps to improve.

• Express ideas effectively both orally and in writing and maintain accurate records.

• Effectively use a personal computer, Microsoft Office software, email, and internet to accomplish job functions.

• Work in sensitive and stressful situations.

• Effectively and respectfully work with persons from diverse backgrounds including age, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, socioeconomic status, physical characteristics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status, health status, genetic predisposition, political belief, mental, or physical ability.

• Accept feedback and make behavioral change.

• Accurately document in the record interventions and outcomes.

• Organize and prioritize multiple program functions.

• Seek consultation or collaboration when appropriate.

• Provide documentation of immune status to vaccine preventable diseases, and/or participate in the employee immunity program.

• If applicable, pass respiratory mask fit-testing and be able to wear standard department-issued masks.

Other Necessary Qualifications:

• Commitment to lifelong learning and practice development.

• Must be able to respond to public health emergencies or exercises at any time, except while on scheduled vacation or other leave. In addition, leaves may be cancelled under public health emergencies.

• Participate in the 24/7 Communicable Disease on-call rotation.

• Must protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in state and federal law.

• Must adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines, including but not limited to timely completion of mandatory trainings.

• Possess a valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation.

SELECTION PROCESS

If you wish to upload a resume or other documents: Resumes and documents must be attached together in the ‘Resume Upload’ section of the application.  Multiple files are allowed, but all applicant attachments must be uploaded simultaneously, as there is no way to edit or append uploaded materials after submitting the application. 

Application Review (Pass/Fail) – An online application is required.  Attaching a resume does not substitute for a completed application; incomplete applications will not pass the application review.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Oral Interview – The interview will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Top candidate(s) will continue in the process.

Employment References will be conducted for the final candidates and may include verification of education.

It is the general policy of the County that new employees should be hired at the lower steps of the applicable range and advance through the range at the normal progression.
 

Examples of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct communicable disease investigation and implement control activities.

• Participate in outbreak investigations and response efforts as directed.

• Contribute to the development of internal policies, protocols and standing orders and reports as requested.

• Provide TB case management services including screening, assessments, and conducting Directly Observed Therapy (DOT).

• Conduct testing such as blood draws or tuberculin skin tests off-site at homes, shelters, or other community locations.

• Provide health education to health care providers, residential facilities, schools, daycares, individuals, and other groups on issues related to infectious diseases.

• Provide surge capacity support for public health response efforts as needed.  

• Assure distribution of vaccines in the community.

• Provide immunizations and other clinical services.

• Plan, implement and evaluate community education programs.

Salary Grade

Local 335.11A

Salary Range

$36.00 - $51.56- per hour

For complete job announcement, application requirements, and to apply on-line (applications on external sites are not monitored), please visit our website at:

https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/explore-careers-clark-county