Thurston County Public Health and Social Services
The salary for this position is: $6,074 - $8,079, monthly.
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for four (4) Community Health Nurses (RNs) for our Community Wellness Division. We strongly encourage Spanish-speaking applicants to apply. The positions are:
• One full-time position serving Thurston County
• One full-time position serving Lewis County
• One part-time position at .65 FTE (26 hours)
• One part-time position at .75 FTE (30 hours).
Please note: the salary for the .65 and .75 positions are 65% and 75%, respectively, of the posted salary.
Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.
As a full-time Community Health Nurse, you carry a caseload of 25 active clients (part-time positions have pro-rated caseloads) and are responsible for independently conducting frequent home visits to build strong partnerships with families. You will collaborate and work as part of a team to promote the health of families and develop and maintain community relationships to support client referrals. Our goal is that all children are healthy, families thrive, communities prosper, and the cycle of poverty is broken.
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Assess physical, emotional, social, and environmental needs of women and their families
• Formulate nursing diagnosis based on nursing assessment and client goals
• Assist women and their families in establishing goals and outcomes
• Provide education, support, and referral resources to assist women and their families in attaining their targeted goals
• Consult and collaborate with other professionals involved in providing services to women and families
• Plan home visits and evaluate client progress toward stated goals
• Actively engage in professional development
• Meet with Nurse Supervisor weekly for clinical supervision, utilizing reflective practice in supervisory sessions
• Schedule joint home visits with Nurse Supervisor every four months
• Attend and participate in bi-weekly case conferences and bi-weekly team meetings
• Provide information to support staff for timely and accurate data input
• Participate in review and analysis of reports for achievements, areas for Improvement and quality improvement efforts
• Document appropriately and maintain confidentiality
• Perform other work as required or assigned including but not limited to a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations
The most successful candidates will have:
• Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of public health nursing, psychology, pharmacology, and sociology
• Ability to develop therapeutic relationships and utilize concepts of reflection and motivational interviewing with women and their families in a home visiting environment
• Ability to develop and maintain strong partnerships with healthcare providers and other community partners
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and utilize data to identify barriers and develop strategies in reaching desirable outcomes
• Ability to effectively present data/information to policy makers, community partners, and community members
• Strong understanding of the importance of using a holistic system approach when addressing barriers to healthcare within the community
What we offer our employees:
• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensuring that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle.
• Plan for Your Future: As a member of our team, you enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit our Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans website for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn a minimum of 12 paid vacation days per year in addition to 11 paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County-paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some employees may take advantage of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing with coursework in community or public nursing (required). Completion of a BSN program within six (6) months of hire may be considered.
• Two (2) years of experience as a community health nurse or relevant experience in a hospital, medical clinic, public health, or related service. Any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work will be considered.
• Currently licensed as a Washington State Registered Nurse.
• A valid Washington State Driver’s License or an appropriate accommodation is required.