Public Health Nurse for General Communicable Disease and/or COVID

These Public Health Nurse positions work in close collaboration with other members of the Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunization (CD-IMMS) Section including Program Leads/Subject Matter Expert (SME) staff, Program Managers (PHSS and PPM IV), Medical Epidemiologists, Public Health Nurses (PHN), Disease Research and Intervention Specialists (DRIS) and Epidemiologists on disease investigations, making disease control recommendations with facilities, and immunization –related activities (COVID-19 and other vaccines).  Major areas of responsibility include performing case and outbreak investigations including healthcare-associated case and outbreak investigations; providing clinical consultation and infection prevention support to health care providers, health care facilities (including long-term care facilities) and the public for COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, and supporting immunization activities (including vaccination clinics) and immunity assessments (e.g. drawing blood for titer). 

This position reports to the General Communicable Disease or COVID-19 Team Program Leads/SME in the CD-IMMS Section of the Prevention Division. This position participates in Section’s response during outbreaks and emergencies as approved by supervisor.  This position also participates in after-hours and weekend call coverage for communicable disease reports from healthcare providers approximately 4 to 6 weeks a year.

Commitment to Equity and Social Justice:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
 
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
 
Applicants should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan.
 
 
Job Duties: 

• Conduct notifiable disease surveillance and investigations, including implementation of disease control measures.
• Provide information and technical assistance to other Section staff and Departmental programs, health care providers and the public.
• Provide clinical and technical consultation and support for immunization team including supporting immunization activities and clinics.
• Conduct onsite infection control assessment and response (ICAR) visits to King County facilities and assist with healthcare-associated communicable disease case and outbreak investigations, surveillance activities, and implementation of disease control measures.
• Participate in Section's response during outbreaks and emergencies; assist with after-hours disease investigation and response activities, as assigned and approved by the supervisor. This position is also in the rotation for on–call coverage after hours and on weekends, 4 to 6 weeks per year.

 
Requirements:

• Active and unencumbered Washington State license as a Registered Nurse at time of hire.
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited School of Nursing
• Washington State Drivers' License or the ability to provide transportation to work.
• Current BLS-CPR for Healthcare Providers
• COVID Vaccination
• Letter of interest describing why you have interest in this work as it relates to vulnerable and marginalized populations.

 
Desired: 

• Bilingual and/or bicultural
• Thorough knowledge of: disease surveillance and investigation methods; immunization recommendations; public health nursing principles and processes; infectious disease prevention and control.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and carry out assignments and responsibilities reliably in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of protected health information at all times. 
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate orally and in writing with supervisor, co-workers, healthcare providers, and the general public for the purposes of relaying time-sensitive information and making presentations, proposals, and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to provide consultation and clinical support to health care providers and the community.
• Demonstrated ability to work in community settings without on-site supervision with culturally and socio-economically diverse populations.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word and Excel) 
• Experience with communicable disease case investigation and disease control measures.
• Two years clinical experience (inpatient or outpatient). 
• Master's degree in public health or related field (or equivalent)
• Interviewing skills (phone and in person)
• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) ® 
• Experience working in Infection Prevention and conducting onsite ICAR visits[MS1]
• Proficiency in administering immunizations and phlebotomy (and/or willingness to obtain proficiency training).

  

WHO MAY APPLY: These positions are open to all minimally qualified applicants. This posting will be used to fill all needs.   
 
WORK SCHEDULE:  Work schedule is typically 8am to 5pm, Monday-Friday, with some evenings and weekend work required.  This position is FLSA eligible and is eligible for overtime. The individual selected for this position will participate in Section's response during outbreaks and emergencies; assist with after-hours disease investigation and response activities, as assigned and approved by the supervisor. This position is also in the rotation for on–call coverage after hours and on weekends, 4 to 6 weeks per year. 
 
WORK LOCATION:  The home base for this position is Chinook Building located in Downtown Seattle, Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave., Seattle. This position will have some telecommuting at this time.

 

CONTACT: For more information, contact Amy M. Curtis, BSN, RN, Healthcare Recruitment Manager at amy.curtis@kingcounty.gov