NURSE (RN) INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Job Role Summary

Responsible for investigation of selected emerging infectious diseases and implementation of interventions for the control and prevention of communicable diseases. Also, responsible for developing and maintaining surveillance systems, community education and provider education relative to prevention and control of infectious diseases. Serve as consultant to physicians, public health nurses, hospital infection control personnel and the general public in matters related to emerging infectious diseases, HIV and other communicable diseases.

Responsible for investigation of HIV/AIDS cases in Marion County and application of control and prevention modalities. Responsibility also includes coordination, surveillance, evaluation and health education relative to prevention and control of HIV.

Essential Duties

Assessment:

• Conduct disease surveillance and initiate epidemiological investigations to further describe the distribution and characteristics of the disease. Investigate cases of diseases and disease clusters; specifically related to HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases.
• Monitor official publications, notifications, alerts and news to identify new community health problems related to HIV or Emerging Infectious Diseases.
• Complete investigation and surveillance forms using electronic medical records and notifications systems.
• Verify morbidity and mortality reports and disseminate communicable disease information within Marion County Health Department, physicians’ offices, health clinics and the community.
• Maintain working files of reported cases and disease registries.
• Detect and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
• Collaborate with hospital-based medical personnel in monitoring disease activity and implementing control measures.
• Investigate reportable diseases and provide direction according to national, state, and local recommendations/requirements.

Policy Development:

• Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues related to HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases.
• Identify potential disease threats; notify and guide communities at risk.
• Communicate current infectious disease status through monthly report summaries.
• Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
• Provide assistance to the Coordinators of the Infectious Disease, Immunization and Refugee Health Program, the Medical Director and the HIV program.
• Periodically review and update policies and procedures for all programs within the Infectious Disease and Immunization Programs and assist in the review and revision of the Communicable Disease Rule.
• Collaborate with community based organizations.
• Participate in the development and review of guidelines for information and medical record confidentiality.

Assurance:

• Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
• Assure compliance with the Communicable Disease code and other rules affecting public health.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Link people to needed personal health services and insure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
• Consult with public health nurses in the case management of communicable diseases.
• Assure a competent workforce.
• Provide orientation for new health department personnel regarding communicable disease activities.
• Regularly update public health staff in HIV and Emerging Infectious disease management and universal precautions.
• Assume responsibility for professional self-growth and continued development in nursing, epidemiology, Infectious Diseases and Emergency Preparedness.
• Evaluate effectiveness of community interventions and individual case management when indicated.
• Monitor the compliance of HIV testing forms submissions from physicians’ offices, hospital and clinical-based medical facilities, anonymous, and confidential HIV testing sites.
• Develop and execute quality improvement projects in the department.

Associated Job Duties

• Travel between the Central Office, District Offices, clinics, schools, hospitals, laboratories and other locations as required.
• Trained at the appropriate National incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command system (ICS) level.
• Participate in the response to public health emergencies, as directed.
• Has access to confidential patient information and is permitted to transport protected health information (PHI) off site when appropriate.
• Serve on appropriate committees and task forces as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Directly supervises: N/A
• Indirectly supervises communicable disease activities of the public health nurses by providing consultation and direction regarding specific control activities regarding HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases.
• Indirectly supervises activities of the Infectious Disease Case Management Technician regarding specific reporting activities.

Qualifications

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a National League for Nursing accredited program with emphasis on epidemiology, infectious diseases, microbiology, statistics, or related courses. (Master’s degree in Public Health Nursing or Epidemiology is preferred.).
• Three years of experience as a professional nurse, including at least one year of hospital practice and two years of practice in a public health setting with progressive management responsibilities.
• Knowledge in Health Education, Human Behavior, Behavior Change (Behavior Change Theory) Social Environment, HIV/STD and other infectious disease, prevention and risk reduction interventions, HIV counseling, testing and treatment. 

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Current Indiana licenses as a Registered Nurse.
• Valid Indiana driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Language Skills:

• Able to compile pertinent information to effectively prepare and present oral and written technical reports to all levels of the organization and the general public.
• Able to effectively communicate with and provide direction to health care providers, including physicians and nurses.

Mathematical Skills:

• Demonstrate basic data management analysis.
• Understands statistical methods.

Computer Skills:

• Competency in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Efficient knowledge of E-mail communication and Internet for research purposes.

Reasoning Ability:

• Demonstrate accuracy in interpreting and presenting data.
• Ability to analyze data to identify problems and implements corrective action.
• Has the ability to prioritize work and the flexibility to respond to crisis situations related to disease containment and control.
• Able to interpret laboratory data.
• Knowledge of:
  • Disease etiology, transmission and treatment modalities;
  • Public health principles and concepts;
  • Local/State/Federal laws and regulations concerning communicable diseases and HIV/AIDS; and
  • Community resources.

Working Environment

• Able to work under pressure of deadlines and respond to immediate needs of infectious disease prevention/containment activities.
• May be required to perform physical activities associated with provision of nursing care in conjunction with disease prevention/containment activities.