TB NURSE CASE MANAGER

Job Role Summary

This position is responsible for comprehensive nursing services that promote the health and well-being of residents in Marion County, with a special focus on vulnerable populations, refugees, and immigrants.  Works with a multi-disciplinary team to promote health and wellness through assessments, health education, coordination of care, planning, implementing, clinical services, counseling, and preventative services. Responsible for managing services for the individual diagnosed with or suspected of having TB or latent TB infection, from initiation to completion of treatment, change in diagnosis, or death. Responsible for inventory management and staffing Clinics. Working with diverse populations, with varying language and cultural backgrounds, this position must be flexible and adaptive in providing continuity of care. There will be travelling.

Associated Job Duties

• Assesses community needs in relation to tuberculosis services.
• Assume responsibility for professional self-growth and continued development in nursing, TB disease case management, and epidemiology.
• Case manages individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having TB or latent TB infection.
• Provides care coordination, case management, referral, and follow-up care to individuals and families who are members of a vulnerable population and/or high-risk groups. Collaborates with MCPHD departments, resettlement agencies, Indiana State Department of health (ISDH), and other community agencies to provide necessary services.
• Performs appropriate diagnostic procedures, treatment regimens, and administers injections , administers vaccinations, and medications according to physician orders and/or MCPHD protocols and policies.
• Adheres to applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, such as exposure to blood borne pathogens, toxic substances, airborne pathogens, or exposure to other hazards during routine assignments or assignments during public health emergencies. 
• Collect demographic information, health history, and extent of illness or infectiousness, and patient’s knowledge and beliefs regarding TB.
• Provides home visits to conduct a comprehensive home assessment, symptom screen, and directly-observed therapy.  Provides support and education to TB clients and contacts.
• Maintains working files of reported cases, suspects and individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).
• Monitor treatment regimen, including ongoing assessment, response to treatment, HIV status, positive and negative motivational factors influencing adherence and any unmet educational needs of the patient.
• Ensure contact investigation is completed, and provide education about TB infection and disease.
• Communicate current communicable disease status through monthly report summaries.
• Evaluate outcomes of direct patient care, educational programs, and research.
• Referral of clients needing medical evaluation and/or treatment for LTBI or active TB to primary care provider or TARC clinic.
• Facilitates TARC and Refugee Clinics as needed. Includes inventory management, scheduling, referrals, and clinic management.

Associated Job Duties Cont'd

• Participate in community meetings, health forums, and board meetings to review community services available, and share services available through MCPHD TB Program.
• Provide assistance to the TB Medical Director, TB Program Coordinator, TB Staff Physicians, Community-Based Care , Immunizations, Infectious Disease, and Refugee Health programs.
• DHO/PHN orientation and training.
• Provides technical assistance to Public Health Nurses (PHNs) case managing TB clients.
• Recommend TB skin test certification for nurses in school or office settings.
• TB education to external providers.
• Evaluate effectiveness of community interventions and individual case management when indicated.
• Participate in TB case finding.
• Periodically review and update policies and procedures for the Tuberculosis Control Program, and the Communicable Disease Rule.
• Plans and implements annual homeless shelter fairs.
• Participates in TB staff meetings and yearly personal performance evaluations.
• Serve on appropriate committees and task forces as assigned.
• Trained at the appropriate National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) level.
• Participates in public health emergency preparedness exercises and in the response to public health emergencies, as directed.
• Participates in a minimum of two H.O.P.E. events totaling a minimum of eight (8) hours annually.
• Other duties as assigned.

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, public health, or epidemiology encouraged.
• 3 years of experience as a professional nurse, including at least one year of hospital practice and 2 years of practice in a public health setting with case (progressive) management responsibilities.
• Experience working with refugee and immigrant populations.
• Experience in creating and generating data sets and reports for epidemiological use preferred.
• Experience working in TB or infectious disease clinic preferred.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Current RN license.
• Valid IN driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Able to compile pertinent information and prepare and present oral and written technical reports to all levels of the organization and the general public.
• Bilingual preferred. 
• Data management analysis.
• Basic statistical methods.
• Demonstrate accuracy in interpreting/presenting data.
• Has the ability to prioritize work and the flexibility to respond to frequent crisis situations related to disease containment and control.
• Able to anticipate potential problems in order to intervene with appropriate corrective and/or adaptive measures.
• Able to interpret laboratory data.
• Knowledge of: disease etiology/treatment modalities, public health principles/concepts, local/State/Federal laws, regulations concerning communicable diseases, community resources.
• Able to work under pressure of deadlines and respond to immediate needs of communicable disease prevention/containment activities.
• May be required to perform physical activities associated with provision of nursing care in conjunction with disease prevention/containment activities.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment and clinic setting.
• Some contact with communicable diseases and/or infections in office/clinic/community settings.
• Requires considerable physical efforts associated with clinic activities: standing, lifting, carrying of supplies.
• Travel in county that requires personal transportation.