Public Health Nurse- Communicable Disease
- Summary
The TLT (6 month) position works 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.
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 (particularly if a vaccine for COVID-19 becomes available).
- Conduct onsite infection prevention and control assessments 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 license to practice as an Registered Nurse in Washington State.
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited School of Nursing
- Washington State Drivers' License or the ability to provide transportation to work.
- Current BLS-CPR for Healthcare Providers
- Willing to provide options counseling
Desired:
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.
- 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 infection prevention assessments in health care settings.
- Proficiency in administering immunizations and phlebotomy (and/or willingness to obtain proficiency training).
- Bilingual and/or bicultural
WHO MAY APPLY: These positions are open to all minimally qualified applicants. This posting will be used to fill all needs.
WORK SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday. This position participates in Section’s response during outbreaks and emergencies as approved by supervisor (about 4 to 6 weeks per year). The duration of this Special Duty/Term-Limited Temporary position is for 6 months with the possibility of extension, dependent upon funding availability. Some of the work associated with this position will be performed remotely, at least through July 5, 2021 in compliance with King County’s telecommuting mandate. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer.
To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint
WORK LOCATION: Home site is King County Chinook Building, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104; will require remote work.
CONTACT: For more information, contact Amy M. Curtis, BSN, RN, Healthcare Recruitment Manager at amy.curtis@kingcounty.gov
APPLICATION PROCESS: The following completed items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line
- Completed supplemental questions that are supported in your application. These answers will be reviewed to determine competitiveness. Please do not use "see resume" in your answers as these will be considered incomplete.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the required information in the application. If you reference "see resume" on your application it will be considered incomplete. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience. The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:- The selected candidate will be required to submit a background check. Records are not automatically disqualifying.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required trainings on time.
- Employees will be redeployed in the event of a Public Health emergency.
UNION AFFILIATION: Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA).
- Supplemental Information
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Have you ever been subject to review, challenges, and/or disciplinary action, formal or informal, by an ethics committee, licensing board, medical disciplinary board or related professional association?
- Yes
- No
02Have you ever been involved, as a health service provider, in a malpractice claim or suit?- Yes
- No
03Have you ever had your license to practice nursing in any jurisdiction revoked, denied, suspended, reduced, or relinquished?- Yes
- No
04Do you have knowledge of any action pending before any licensing board(s) which could affect your license or ability to practice?- Yes
- No
05Are you willing to provide pregnancy options counseling to women?- Yes
- No
06Are you willing to accept a term-limited temporary (TLT) position?- Yes
- No
07Seattle & King County Public Health has a strong commitment to equity and social justice. All staff are given training in Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) as well as Trauma Informed Care (TIC). Please describe why working for an agency that values ESJ and TIC is important to you.08Do you possess BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers? If so, attach documentation of your current BLS/CPR certification.09Are you bilingual? If so, what language(s) are you proficient in reading, writing and speaking?10Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant And Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
11If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff12Describe your experience and knowledge of communicable diseases and communicable disease case and outbreak investigations. If you do not have any experience, please type N/A.13Describe your experience in conducting interviews with patients. In your response, include the setting of this experience (public health, health care, other). If you do not have any experience, please type N/A.14Describe your experience in communications, written and oral, especially as it pertains to communications with health care professionals. In your response, include the setting of that experience (public health, health care facility, other). If you do not have any experience, please type N/A.15Describe your experience and familiarity with Microsoft Office programs. If you do not have any experience, please type N/A.16Describe your experience and background in clinical work, including years and type of experience and setting. Please specifically list if you have experience in infection prevention and control, and if you have your Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC®). If you do not have any experience or CIC®, please type N/A.Required Question