Harvey County·Newton, Kansas
The Community Health Nurse assesses and educates clients to prevent disease and promote healthy behaviors through home and clinic visits. They also manage communicable disease cases, administer medications, and participate in public health emergency preparedness.
Pay Grade: 90
Revision Date: 6/10/24
This 32 hour/week position assesses and educates clients and provides community-based nursing services delivered to individual clients, families, public facilities, and populations with the goal of preventing disease, promoting healthy behaviors, and protecting communities from threats to the health of the public.
The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.
Assesses, evaluates, and manages communicable disease cases and outbreaks; investigates and educates regarding prevention and control in accordance with State mandates and statutes and maintains Kansas disease surveillance documentation.
Provides leadership in planning, preparing, and responding to Public Health preparedness events, including mass clinics.
Provides direct client services: 1. Assesses, educates, and evaluates client needs (pregnant and postpartum women, infants, reproductive health clients, tuberculosis program clients, general public health clients) via home visits, clinic/office visits, or phone calls. 2. Develops nursing care plans and coordinates care. 3. Assesses, educates, and evaluates clients regarding acute and chronic health conditions, psychosocial, and environmental needs and refers to appropriate resources. 4. Conducts physical examinations, assesses health of infants, children, and adults. 5. Completes referrals to physicians and other medical services as needed.
Organizes, manages, updates, and oversees various Public Health programs as assigned.
Administers and manages client medication.
Assists with vaccine storage, handling and inventory management; monitors and records temperatures for vaccine refrigerators/freezers.
Immunizes clients and provides tuberculosis screening; performs venipuncture and collects lab specimens as indicated.
Conducts public health investigations, case management, and follow up as needed.
Prepares, updates, and maintains client records, utilizing various electronic health record systems.
Assists with health education programs/classes.
Refers eligible clients to WIC program.
Collaborates with WIC personnel to ensure quality services for clients.
Provide initial and on-going nutritional and psychosocial assessments to clients as needed.
Provide referrals to prenatal, medical and social services as necessary.
Provide general health education for all Health Department clients, including, but not limited to, pregnancy, breastfeeding, reproductive health, child growth and development, nutrition, alcohol and drug use/abuse, and child abuse and neglect.
Works with local prenatal care providers to ensure early and adequate prenatal care.
Reports any vaccine adverse events to VAERS and Assistant Director or Director.
Provides dental screenings to children and adults.
Makes referrals to area dentists or other area agencies as needed for dental care.
Facilitates and participates in community coalitions, and works with community partners to provide collaboration, outreach, and education.
Participates in quality improvement projects and incorporates quality improvement principles.
Participates in community health needs assessments and improvement planning.
Provides surge capacity to Public Health Emergency and Epidemiology for investigative work and community containment in a public health emergency or severe outbreak.
Minimum required qualifications
Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in Nursing with three (3) years’ work experience in general nursing practices. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Fluency in Spanish preferred.
Current License as a Registered Nurse by the Kansas State Board of Nursing.
Works under general supervision on some assignments but works independently performing recurring duties in accordance with established procedures. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.
Essential Physical Functions of the position are provided in the Functional Job Analysis Attachment.
Ability to observe details at close range.
Communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas so others understand.
Work may have exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
Work frequently requires exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.
Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting as well as clinic settings.
Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Candidates must hold an Associate’s degree in Nursing and a current Registered Nurse license from the Kansas State Board of Nursing. A minimum of three years of work experience in general nursing practice is required.
Market context
Kansas nursing openings commonly favor candidates with prior bedside experience and current licensure, especially in settings that need nurses who can step in with limited onboarding. This role is competitive because it asks for an ADN with BSN completion within five years, one year of RN experience, a multi-state RN license, and BLS and ACLS certifications. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform against the original posting, then confirm your license status and certification dates before applying to save research time.