The Public Health Nurse (PHN) plays a vital role in promoting, protecting, and improving the health of the community through direct clinical services, health education, case management, and disease prevention initiatives. Based in the Orange County Health Department, the PHN serves as a key point of contact for individuals and families, providing nursing assessments, administering immunizations, conducting communicable disease investigations, and supporting maternal and child health programs. This position is essential to ensuring access to critical public health services, building community trust, and strengthening local health outcomes. The PHN collaborates closely with community partners, healthcare providers, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver compassionate, culturally sensitive care that meets the unique needs of our residents.
A. Program Support Uses the nursing process to assess, develop/implement care plans, and evaluate outcomes. Uses the Quad Council’s Core Community/Public Health Nursing Competencies as an evidence-based platform for practice. Recognizes the diversity of individuals/populations and applies the appropriate language and communication tools; this may include but not limited to individuals from different cultural, socio-economic, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression Adheres to nursing directives, agency protocols and guidelines Practices within the realm of the Nurse Practice Act and related Acts governing health professionals and health laws Assesses the health status and health literacy of individuals and families, including determinants of health, using multiple sources of data Applies ethical, legal and policy guidelines and principles in the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and inform Uses information technology effectively to collect, analyze, store and retrieve data related to public health nursing services for individuals, families and groups Uses evidence-based strategies or promising practices from across disciplines to promote health in communities and populations Applies methods and practices to access public health information for individuals, families and groups Uses assessments, develops plans, implements and evaluates interventions for public health services for individuals, families and groups May administer routine child and adult immunizations to clients Demonstrates ethical standards of practice in all aspects of public health and public health nursing as the basis of all interactions with individuals, communities, and organizations
B. Workload & Case Administration Sets priorities for completing of program responsibilities and work assignments Uses data, evidence and information technology to understand the impact of determinants of health on individuals, families, and groups Uses information on determinants of health effectively when working with diverse individuals, families, and groups Assists individuals, families, and groups to identify and access necessary community resources or services through the referral and follow-up process Uses research to inform the practice of public health nursing Demonstrates compliance with the requirements of patient confidentiality and human subject protection Models public health science skills when working with individuals, families, and groups
C. Direct Patient Care Provides competent, high quality and safe nursing/case management in clinic, community, home and other settings in a confidential, customer-oriented manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate for the client Uses the nursing process to assess, develop/implement care plans, and evaluate outcomes Teaches/counsels clients and families regarding health promotion and disease prevention Select variables that measure health and public health conditions Identifies opportunities for individuals, families and groups to link with advocacy organizations May perform duties to include communicable disease investigation, ability to be fit tested for an N95 or other respirator, ability to don/doff PPE, support emergency shelters, and other duties
D. Special Assignments May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. May be required by VDH to adjust work hours, location, and job duties and participate in training to meet public health business needs, including emergencies. If this position is designated as a mobile worker, this includes both working in the field and teleworking at an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing. You may be required to periodically come into your assigned office to attend meetings or training.
The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.
Minimum Qualifications
• Communicates verbally and in writing, to analyze problems, situations and suggest solutions, leadership, follow directions and establish priorities • Skills in physical examination, health assessment, and interviewing and counseling technique • Ability to function independently, prioritize and organize work, solve problems, adapt to change, function as a team member and relate to the public • Knowledge of public health concepts, principles of public health nursing, principles of epidemiology; immunizations; basic nursing science, medical terminology, case management • May travel and some weekend and/or evening hours may be required • Must be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR
Additional Considerations
• Additional study in health promotion/or public health is preferred • BSN preferred • Experience in a public health setting or one related to disease prevention and health promotion
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VDH requires all healthcare personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.
Contact Information
Name: Dana McClelland
Phone: 540.347.6400
Email: Dana.McClelland@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer
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