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COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE II (IMMUNIZATION)

Recruitment #25-004216-0009

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Introduction

GRADE

19

LOCATION OF POSITION

Howard County Health Department 
8930 Stanford Boulevard 
Columbia, Maryland 21045

Main Purpose of Job

The Community Health Nurse II (CHN II) is responsible for assisting in the daily operations of the Howard County Health Department (HCHD) providing direct nursing care to patients in various community settings and HCHD clinics. The position is focused on immunizations including patient assessment and record review, preparation for and implementation of community vaccination events and HCHD-based clinic, and providing accurate and timely immunization information to patients and community counterparts. The work may be performed at patients’ homes, schools, and other community settings to provide community health nursing services to individuals, families, and the community. Provides assessment, education and assistance to patients in understanding present health status with consideration for social determinants and provides counseling, guidance, referral and treatment of physical, mental and emotional health needs to patients, their families and other caregivers. 

The position assists with responding to infectious disease outbreaks as needed.

POSITION DUTIES

Immunizations (70%)

  • Screens patients, reviews vaccination histories, and provides appropriate immunizations to adults, children, and infants in the clinic and community settings including annual Back to School and respiratory virus vaccination events.
  • Administers vaccines according to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)recommendations, Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) requirements, Vaccines for Children (VFC) eligibility criteria, and current Howard County Health Department Immunization Program standing orders.
  • Provides culturally competent patient education on immunizations using appropriate resources such as Vaccine Information Statements and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) materials.
  • Provides immunization-related guidance to school nurses, provider practices, and other community counterparts.
  • Adheres to vaccine management and handling guidelines including cold storage and temperature monitoring to ensure the viability of vaccine inventory.
  • Alerts Immunization Program Supervisor of any anticipated ancillary supply shortages.
  • Provides individual assessments of social determinants of health, makes appropriate referrals to a variety of community resources, and coordinates the care of a selected caseload of patients for referred services.
  • Works with school nurses, administrative staff, community counterparts, and others to plan and implement healthcare services including immunization events in schools, clinics and other settings.
  • Records health status of patients, immunizations and treatments administered, and other appropriate information in the patients’ record, and reports to the clinician and to the nursing supervisor as indicated.
  • Evaluates the effectiveness of nursing interventions and recommends revisions as necessary.
  • Collaborates on and participates in special projects in the community to raise awareness of health topics and promote wellness.
  • Ensures confidentiality of written, electronic and verbal communication.
  • Uses appropriate lines of communication within and outside the agency.
  • Responds to requests for information in a timely manner.
  • Provides interpretation and translation services according to agency policy.
  • Provides education appropriate to meet the needs of those with functional needs.
  • Documents work accurately and within agency guidelines.
  • Accepts responsibility for special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
  • Participates in local and regional committees, meetings and activities related to community health as appropriate.
  • Participates in continuous nursing education and training that enables community health nurses to fully function under nursing COMAR regulations to promote public health through prevention education, chronic disease management or community outreach programs.

Employee Health (10%)

  • Ensures that new and current employees receive a health history review and are offered necessary immunizations according to policy.
  • Performs phlebotomy.
  • Ensures select employees receive an annual evaluation for appropriate respirator protection including reviewing the employee’s Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (MEQ).
  • Ensures that select employees receive annual QFTs on an annual basis.
  • Maintains and ensures confidentiality of patient information and medical records.
  • Works collaboratively with Human Resources to ensure appropriate policies and procedures are developed, implemented, and evaluated to ensure the safety of patients and staff.


Nursing Duties (5%)

  • Participates in annual Back to School vaccine clinics and annual respiratory virus vaccine clinics by preparing vaccine and/or administering vaccine injections to children and adults.
  • Participates in HCHD Nurse Trainings as required including but not limited to: the orientation of new staff, cross training of other HCHD staff and nursing students as assigned.
  • Participates in a nurse on-call rotation as delineated in the HCHD After Hours Policy.
  • Participates in community outreach and education events including career fairs.
  • Participates in specimen collection, packing, and/or shipping and transport, including after hours, if needed.
  • Is prepared to provide other nursing functions for HCHD as needed, including but are not limited to outbreak investigations, TB contact studies, and phlebotomy.
  • Maintains compliance with standards of care through training including, but not limited to: CPR certification, Local Health Department (LHD) Nurse Dispensing, Personal Protective Equipment, After-Hours On-Call procedures.



Quality Assurance and Reporting (5%)

  • Assists in the compilation of materials needed and works in collaboration with the Program Director in the preparation of reports.
  • Collects and analyzes data to support planning and program development.
  • Participates in internal meetings, chart review process, audits and case study presentations to monitor services and ensure standards of best practice.
  • Participates in nursing research as assigned.
  • Attends professional development related to assigned duties.
  • Complies with standards for infection control and risk management.

WIC Immunization Case Management (5%)

  • Communicates with parents and providers for participants in HCHD’s Women, Infants &Children (WIC) program to ensure adherence to the recommended immunization schedule
  • Completes monthly reporting on WIC immunization outreach and outcomes,
  • Schedules eligible patients for HCHD’s child immunization clinic as needed.

Other (5%)

  • Possess a broad understanding of HCHD services and can refer to other programs.
  • Participates in necessary drills and exercises, responds to emergencies as appropriate, keeps abreast of policies and procedures in the program, bureau and department.
  • Completes all required trainings.
  • Participates in quality improvement efforts within the program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.

Experience: None.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute a Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and one year of experience as a Registered Nurse for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute two years of experience as a Registered Nurse for the required education. 

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Nursing classification or Nursing or Health Care Specialist specialty codes in the Nursing field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.  

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Desired qualifications:
  • Bilingual in Spanish 
  • Experience providing and managing consumer cases/services using an Electronic Health Records (EHR) and/or Electronic Medical Records (EMR). 
  • Experience administering vaccinations to infants, children, and adolescents  
  • Experience in employee health services, including immunizations, health screenings, and compliance with workplace health and safety

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current license as a Registered Nurse from the Maryland State Board of Nursing, 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.  Copy of your license or license number should be uploaded on your application.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employees in this classification will be required to provide the facility with a telephone number at which they can be reached.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). 
Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. 

Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application (and supplemental questionnaire) may be submitted to MDH, Recruitment and Selection Division, 201 W. Preston St., Room 114-B, Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment, no postmarks will be accepted.

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.  If you are unable to upload, please fax the requested information to 410-333-5689. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the MDH Recruitment and Selection Division at 410-767-1251.

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: 410-767-1251 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. 

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. 

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.



Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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