GUILFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT
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GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
The Nurse Specialist provides intermediate level professional nursing work in providing primary, preventive and rehabilitative care to individuals in a public health clinical or community setting. Work is performed under the direction of a Nurse Services Supervisor.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The Nurse Specialist I independently assesses patient needs for nursing care or medical intervention. Work is performed in a clinical setting. Employee assesses needs, develops basic nursing care plans and patient goals, explains physician findings and ascertains that instructions are being followed. Employees must differentiate levels of patient criticality to identify crisis situations requiring physician or agency intervention. Employees will generally serve at the staff nurse level in clinics/community or similar settings where there is higher-level staff available for consultation (direct eyes-on supervision is not required). Employees might, on a regular or occasional basis be assigned to an outreach clinic assignment that is similar to their regular in house assignment. Nurse may be assigned as a lead worker from time to time.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Duties and Tasks
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This position works 100% in the Care Management for High Risk Pregnancy (CMHRP) program. In the CMHRP program, the Care Manager (CM) is responsible for coordinating specialized multi-disciplinary services to an assigned caseload of high-risk Medicaid pregnant patients by utilizing nursing assessment skills and knowledge of prenatal, postpartum/newborn care and community resources.
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The CM receives referrals from supervisor and/or team lead, assesses patient needs, develops and implements a care plan based on needs and coordinates provision of multiple community services to ensure optimal birth outcomes and well-being of the patient and family.
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Priority patients require a face to face visit every 30 days until service closure in either the community or home setting.
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This position serves primarily Medicaid patients receiving care through either a public or private provider.
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The CM will follow up on referrals in a timely manner and keep providers abreast of changes in the patient’s status.
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All contacts with patients, providers and referral agencies will be thoroughly documented in the electronic documentation system (Virtual Health) within 24 hours.
RECRUITMENT STANDARDS
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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Knowledge of the methods and techniques of general nursing care and their relation to medical and surgical practice.
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Knowledge of methods and techniques used in the prevention of communicable diseases.
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Knowledge of social and economic problems relating to public health, including social determinates of health and health equity.
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Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with recipients of public health care, other public employees and the general public.
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Ability to understand and carry out detailed instructions of a technical or professional nature.
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Ability to interpret and explain public health laws and regulations.
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Ability to keep records and complete reports.
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Ability to make independent assessments and nursing judgments.
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Ability to apply nursing theory principles and techniques employed in the field of public health and related programs.
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Ability to operate a computer to allow for communication, patient record documentation and accessing information.
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Good individual patient and family teaching skills.
Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree (BSN), which includes 0-6 months of professional nursing experience in a public health setting or related environment; OR, an Associate's Degree (ADN) with 2 years of experience in a public health setting or related environment; Additional training in specialty area may be required.
Preferred Qualifications:
A current Nursing License required and experience working with pregnant women and their families is recommended; OR Registered Nurse in NC with 2 years experience working with pregnant women and their families and completing home visits.
NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATION
Possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the North Carolina Board of Nursing or another Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact State (eNLC) and such other qualifications which may be prescribed by the State Department of Public Health.
Physical Demands and Work Condition
Sits, walks and stands during a workday. Must be able to physically perform the basic life support functions of walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to lift patients (children) and objects up to 30 pounds as required for some positions. Must have the visual acuity to record observations and physical assessments of clients, to read and interpret test results, administer immunizations/prescription dosages, and record medical findings. Nurse may occasionally be in contact with difficult patients. Nurses may be exposed to infection from disease-bearing patients, and specimens. Employees will have periodic exposure to hazards in the field (driving, rural or inner-city settings, inclement weather, clients). Work conditions may be mildly disagreeable if working in poor home environments or with difficult patients.
May Require Driving
This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria.
If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.
Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. These documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.
Guilford County is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to employees and applicants for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or political affiliation. The County is committed to complying with all applicable federal, state and local laws that pertain to employment, and to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination of any kind. If you need an auxiliary aide, make the request forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the time the accommodation is needed by calling 336-641-3324.