Epidemiology / Communicable Disease Nurse

Salary Information:

$26.52/hr at Step 1 to $40.22/hr at Step 20

Job  Duties Include:

Coordinates and manages the Communicable Disease and Tuberculosis (TB) program.  Plans, develops, and markets programs related to providing quality care and treatments for clients with communicable diseases utilizing Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. Provides nursing clinic services to clients from varied socioeconomic backgrounds including client/family treatment, education, and follow-up. Coordinates the investigation and management of communicable disease and outbreaks within Saline County per KDHE and CDC guidelines by providing limited treatment, education and limited diagnostic services to clients and contacts.   Evaluates communicable disease reports to monitor trends within Saline County.  Monitors and inputs data into KDHE EpiTrax system regularly. Promotes prevention and elimination of tuberculosis in Saline County as required by the KDHE TB Control Program. Provides Case Management of active and latent tuberculosis disease cases to ensure appropriate treatment completion. Conducts thorough contact investigations of infectious tuberculosis cases. Collects data regarding tuberculosis evaluations in Saline County for KDHE and CDC. Provides consultation assistance to clinical providers. Provides tuberculosis medications with approved treatment regimens for persons diagnosed with tuberculosis infection or disease in collaboration with KDHE. Ensures that infectious TB patients are provided Directly Observed Therapy until they are non-infectious and appropriately treated per KDHE/CDC guidelines. Assist persons and their medical providers regarding tuberculosis infection with treatment to remain non-infectious. Manages the State of Kansas TB Control Grant Program for Saline County with quarterly reports and preparation of the budget yearly. Provides nursing clinic services and education to both children and adults of various ages to include immunizations, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV testing and counseling and Family Planning services utilizing nursing clinic protocols with referrals as needed.  Demonstrates a working knowledge of the Immunization and Family Planning Programs.   Functions as a preceptor to nursing students and performs evaluations. Maintains nursing license by attending conferences and web-bases educational programs appropriate to nursing clinic programs. Must complete National Incident Management System training. Maintains certification in CPR. Completes yearly blood-borne pathogen training. Completes packaging and shipping for Category A&B infectious substances per Federal and State regulations and reports to work during public health emergencies as needed. Functions in the lab as needed. Performs other duties as needed.   Completes N95 fit testing.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Must be a graduate of Degree, Diploma or Associate degree Program in Nursing.
2. Two (2) years’ experience in the field of Nursing, preferred.
3. Must have a valid Driver’s License and must provide own transportation.
4. Must meet licensing requirements by the Kansas State Board of Nursing for Registered Nurses and holds a       current licensure for the State of Kansas.
5. Must have basic computer knowledge.
6. Must have ability to maintain a professional demeanor.
7. Must have good communication skills to work with Staff and public in a congenial manner.
8. Must have a proven ability to plan and organize work.
9. Must be flexible and be able to adapt to different tasks

Physical Requirements:

Determined Work Level: Level 3 Medium Work Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly. Ability to communicate by the spoken word. Ability to hear. Must be able to give direction to Staff and clients. May require walking, standing, bending, balancing, sitting, lifting equipment and stooping. May have to lift, push, carry or pull up to 50 pounds. Possible exposure to infectious pathogens, blood and body fluids, and hazardous waste. May be exposed to a variety of work environments including outside of health department buildings in all weather conditions. May be subjected to highly volatile and stressful situations involving clients and/or families. Work may provide occasional weekend and/or evening work and be on-call. Must have fine and gross motor skills ability. Must be able to operate computer, telephone, and copy/fax machine.

Certificate Needed

Kansas State Board of Nursing License

Veteran’s Preference:

Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a veteran under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum qualifications of the position and successfully pass any required pre-employment testing or any requirements such as licensing. The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring officials. To be successful, the expectation is that a candidate will be able to competently perform the routine tasks of the position with limited supervision by the end of the probationary period of covered position.