Job Summary

Clark County Public Health administers Nurse-Family Partnership programming and services in Clark and Cowlitz Counties. The service region for this 1.0 FTE posting is for Cowlitz County. The Nurse-Family Partnership nurse home visitor (NHV) is responsible for providing comprehensive nursing services to pregnant individuals and their families who are categorically eligible for the Nurse-Family Partnership Program. The NHV is responsible for maintaining the highest standards in clinical and public health nursing practice and adherence to the Nurse-Family Partnership model, policies, procedures, Visit-to-Visit Guidelines, and standards of Nurse-Family Partnership and of Clark County Public Health. This position receives specific direction and assignments from, and reports to, the Nurse Family Partnership Nurse Supervisor assigned to Cowlitz County.

The Public Health Nurse II classification emphasizes health promotion and prevention. Job tasks and activities may be focused on the individual-, community-, or the systems-level, depending on how the issue may best be addressed to improve health outcomes.
Nurse-Family Partnership Model Basics:
• Provides home visits to pregnant individuals and their families eligible for the Nurse-Family Partnership Program.
• Adheres to nursing process and the Nurse-Family Partnership model of home visitation.
• Carries a case load of 25 clients per 1.0FTE.

Administrative
• Supports Clark County Public Health and Nurse-Family Partnership standards, policies, procedures, Visit-to-Visit Guidelines.
• Participates in community coalitions in support of families as requested.
• Promotes public awareness of Nurse-Family Partnership and public health practice.
• Develops and maintains community relationships to support client referrals.
• Participates in weekly, one-hour reflective supervision with NFP supervisor.

Clinical
• Completes all required Nurse-Family Partnership Education.
• Attends and participates in dyadic assessment training.
• Develops therapeutic relationships, utilizes concepts of reflection and motivational interviewing with pregnant individuals and their families in a home visiting environment.
• Performs home visiting in accordance with the Nurse-Family Partnership model and Visit-to-Visit Guidelines
• Follows nursing process in implementing NFP model elements as part of nursing practice.
• Using specific program guidelines and tools, develop a working relationship with clients and their families, assess individual and family needs and promote goal setting and problem solving in six domains:
o Personal Health addresses clients' health maintenance practices, nutrition and exercise, substance use involving cigarettes, alcohol or illicit drugs, and mental health functioning.
o Environmental Health addresses adequacy of home, work, school, and neighborhood settings for pregnant individuals, birth and support parents, and infant health.
o Life Course Development focuses on clients' goals related to childbirth planning, completion of their education, and finding employment.
o Parenting Role addresses clients' acceptance of the birthing role and their acquisition of the knowledge and skills needed to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers.
o Family and Friends focuses on helping clients deal with relationship issues and enhance support for their own goals and management of child care.
o Health and Human Services addresses linking families with community services for which current family resources are not adequate.

• Provides education, support, and referral resources in assisting birthing and parenting individuals and their families in attaining their targeted goals.
• Consults and collaborates with other professionals involved in providing services to birthing persons and families.
• Evaluates client progress toward stated goals and Nurse-Family Partnership outcomes.
• Plans home visits in accordance with client goals and Nurse-Family Partnership outcomes.
• Actively engages in professional development to meet all Nurse-Family Partnership nurse home visitor competency requirements including nurse licensure education requirements for Oregon and Washington.
• Utilizes reflective practice.
• Schedules joint home visits with Nurse-Family Partnership nurse supervisor every four months.
• Attends and participates in case conferences.
• Attends and participates in team meetings.
• Participates in the review and analysis of NHV and team reports in alignment with NFP model elements and community need.
• Participates in quality improvement efforts.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Documents appropriately.
• Ensures clients receive services in their preferred language, assuring accurate and complete communication between client and Public Health staff through use of interpreters and translated program materials as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned or required.

Team Functions
• Understands, supports, and coaches others in the Nurse-Family Partnership vision, mission, and model.
• Represents the Nurse-Family Partnership vision, mission, and model in actions as well as verbally to both internal and external customers and colleagues.
• Assists in creating a positive work environment that promotes productivity, mentoring, teamwork, and cooperation.
• Elicits and considers differing viewpoints when analyzing issues.
• Recognizes accomplishments of team members.

Communication
• Maintains clear, effective, open, honest communication with both internal and external customers and colleagues.
• Creates, maintains, and supports a safe environment for open discussion.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Seeks and responds appropriately to feedback.

Professional Development
• Accurately assesses own learning needs and develops strategies to meet them.
• Motivated to utilize computer technology for distance learning.
• Stays informed of current health care and nurse practice developments to provide safe, quality home visiting services.
• Establishes and records progress toward annual goals.
• Participates in training related to Electronic Medical Record systems and use of field-based technology, laptop computers and “smart” phones.
• Must successfully complete basic emergency management/incident management courses and participate in public health emergency response trainings as requested.
• Must be able to respond to public health emergencies or exercises, except while on scheduled vacation or other leave. In addition, leaves may be cancelled under public health emergencies. May be called upon to be on site at a public health event, outbreak, emergency, or intervention.

Organizational responsibilities include understanding and promoting Clark County Public Health’s mission; providing courteous, respectful, efficient customer service to all department clients; honoring diversity of all department employees and constituents; participating in department training; and striving for personal excellence in public health work.

This position has the option of a remote/hybrid work schedule possibility. However, the candidate selected must reside in OR or WA. No Exceptions.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

·         BSN required. 

·         Current Washington state RN license in good standing required. 

·         Oregon state RN license required within four months of hire. 

·         Current CPR required. 

·         Two years recent experience in maternal-child health, public health, home visiting, or mental/behavioral nursing preferred. 

·         Home visiting experience preferred. 

·         Bilingual language proficiency preferred.  

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

·         Basic computer skills – Microsoft Teams, Zoom, EMR charting experience, Excel, calendaring, Outlook. 

·         Valid WA or Oregon driver’s license and insured automobile required. 

·         Ability to travel by air to Denver, CO for face-to-face NFP education sessions. 

Knowledge of:

·         Core functions, competencies, and essential services of public health 

·         Life-course theory as it relates to the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and application of trauma-informed care principles. 

·         Washington and Oregon State Nurse Practice Acts. Interviewing and counseling techniques including motivational interviewing. 

·         Local services and referral processes. 

·         The impact of systemic and institutional racism and discrimination (including discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, mental or physical ability, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity, veteran status, and martial status) on socioeconomic status, access to care, housing status, behavior, attitudes, and values related to health. 

·         The role and importance of cultural, social, and behavioral factors in determining the delivery of public health services. 

·         Cultural humility practices; awareness and importance of honoring cultural differences. 

Ability to:

·         Recognize professional and personal areas for growth and the ability to self-reflect. 

·         Examine personal beliefs and values, knowledge of cultural differences when building relationships with clients, peers, and the community.  

·         Express ideas effectively both orally and in writing and maintain accurate client records. 

·         Effectively use a computer, Microsoft Office software, email, internet, and cell phone to accomplish job functions. 

·         Coordinate services with multiple providers and service organizations. 

·         Accept feedback and make changes as appropriate. 

·         Develop a shared plan of care and build self-efficacy of individuals and families. 

·         Organize and prioritize multiple program functions. 

·         Use independent nurse judgment. 

·         Work courteously and tactfully with challenging or upset clients and work collaboratively and cooperatively with co-workers and the public. 

·         Seek consultation or collaboration when appropriate. 

·         Practice within the scope of nursing licensure. 

·         Maintain valid Washington and Oregon registered professional nurse licenses. 

·         Obtain a valid Washington or Oregon driver’s license and show proof of auto insurance. 

·         Provide documentation of immune status to vaccine preventable diseases, and/or participate in the employee immunity program (which involves using accrued vacation leave during outbreak response if not fully immunized). 

·         Understand, recognize, and address systems of oppression and behaviors that perpetuate discrimination, unconscious and/or individual/personal bias, privilege, power, stereotypes, and stigma. 

Other Requirements: 

·         Must protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal law. 

·         Must adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines, including but not limited to timely completion of mandatory trainings. 

·         Must have access to reliable transportation. 

Selection Process:

Resumes and other documents must be attached together in the 'Resume Upload' section of the application.  Multiple files are allowed, but all applicant attachments must be uploaded simultaneously, as there is no way to edit or append uploaded materials after submitting the application.

Application Review (Pass/ Fail) - An online application is required.  Attaching a resume does not substitute for a completed application; incomplete applications will not pass the application review.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Practical Exam (Pass/Fail) - This recruitment may require a practical exam which will be job related and may include, but not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Oral Interview - The interview will be job related and may include, not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Top candidate(s) will continue in the process.

Employment references will be conducted for the final candidates and may include verification of education

Examples of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

·         Carry 30 pounds of paper, equipment, materials, etc. 

·         Drive a car, fly as a passenger in a plane, or other misc. travel as required. 

·         Bend, lift, walk, and use equipment in the performance of duties. 

·         May be exposed to clients or members of the public, including individuals or small groups with potential for violent or aggressive behavior. 

Salary Grade

Local 335.11A

Salary Range

$36.00 - $51.56- per hour

For complete job announcement, application requirements, and to apply on-line (applications on external sites are not monitored), please visit our website at:

https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/explore-careers-clark-county