GRADUATE NURSE PUBLIC HEALTH

 DEFINITION:

 Under close supervision, provides professional nursing services for a
 public health agency in the home, school, clinic, or health center;
 does other related duties.

 NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative
 purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform
 all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties
 performed on the job may not be listed.

 EXAMPLES OF WORK:

 Utilizes therapeutic measures as prescribed by the physician to assist
 patients and other members of the household in maintaining and
 carrying out the health care plan.

 Teaches health maintenance as well as preventive and rehabilitative
 measures to individuals and household members by demonstrations 
 and written instructions to educate and encourage persons to accept 
 and assume the responsibility for required care.

 Interviews patients and/or their families by asking pertinent
 questions to obtain initial background information for the physician
 to assess.

 Measures patients' temperature, blood pressure, pulse, height, and
 weight using a thermometer, sphygmomanometer, scale, and other
 instruments to record vital signs and growth processes.

 Administers hearing and vision tests using machines and eye charts to
 screen possible hearing and vision problems.

 Administers medication and subcutaneous and intramuscular injections
 using prescriptions of the physician and hypodermic needles and
 observes patients' reactions to medications to manage the stable phase
 of common chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.

 Gives specific instructions and demonstrations in homes, schools, and
 clinics to educate patients in the control of acute and chronic
 diseases.

 Observes patients and other household members for signs of conditions
 which may require medical attention and advises the physician or
 public health nurse to ensure that the patient receives proper medical
 attention.

 Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
 manual recording and computerized information systems used by
 the agency, office, or related units.

 REQUIREMENTS:

 EDUCATION:

 Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's 
 degree in Nursing.

 EXPERIENCE:

 One (1) year of nursing experience in a public health field or, nursing 
 experience gained while working under the close supervision of a 
 licensed Public Health Nurse.

 NOTE: Nursing experience gained in a public health field may
 include experience with an internship, volunteer work, community
 service, Visiting Nurse Association, hospital or other community-based
 public health partner agency or organization that provides direct
 services to the population or, that contracts such services to local
 health departments.

 NOTE: Appointees are required to complete a course in
 population-based public health nursing within one (1) year of
 appointment.

 LICENSE:

 Appointees must possess a valid registration as a professional nurse 
 in the state of New Jersey.

 Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in 
 New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee
 mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the
 position.

 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

 Knowledge of nursing practices and techniques.

 Knowledge of pharmaceuticals, side effects, and possible complications
 of use.

 Knowledge of first aid procedures.

 Knowledge of interview techniques and the methods used to gather data.

 Ability to recognize adverse signs and symptoms in-patients.

 Ability to administer medications.

 Ability to record medical histories of patients.

 Ability to take temperature and blood pressure readings.

 Ability to select the proper nursing procedures and techniques of
 patient care.

 Ability to prepare and maintain medical records.

 Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
 recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
 related units.

 Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English
 sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign
 Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of
 communication.

 Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as
 they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable
 accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation
 cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship,
 such persons may not be eligible.

 This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
01930@
L
N
  
N/A
19
-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

 4/30/2003