Public Health Nurse

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief Job Description:

Nurse I
Plans and provides comprehensive public health essential services to include direct patient care in a clinic or field setting, case management and population-based activities for county/counties of responsibility. Serves as Team Leader for staff by directing day to day essential public health services for assigned county/counties. Assesses the health status of populations, determinants of health and illness, and factors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention. Participates in coordination of data collection and analysis. Recommends and coordinates action strategies. Confidentiality is of utmost importance.
This position is headquartered in the Elgin, TX clinic. This position will cover public health services in Bastrop, Lee, and Fayette Counties. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

1) Performs a variety of disease intervention functions essential to public health to include Case Management, Tuberculosis, HIV/STD, Immunizations, and Perinatal Hepatitis B. Utilizes computer data entry system for management of clinic services, inventory, and ordering. Call Out: Will be called out after hours, including weekends and holidays, in response to temperature excursion notification from Sensaphone System on vaccine refrigerator and/or freezer vaccine storage units. Will follow vaccine contingency plan. (40%)

2) Conducts essential Public Health Nursing functions in county/counties assigned by providing, promoting, monitoring, tracking and reviewing population based health services as relates to family health issues to include quality assurance, health education for groups and leadership. (35%)

3) Conducts public health essential functions related to public health preparedness with emphasis on bioterrorism response. Participates in local planning for community preparedness in responding to bioterrorist or public health event. Participates as directed in all hazards response. (10%)

4) Interprets policies, functions and philosophy of the agency to individuals, professionals and community groups as assigned. Serves as Team Leader for clinic staff. (10%)

5) Other duties as assigned: “Other duties as assigned" include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.” (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tuberculosis treatment protocols and guidelines including directly observed therapy, targeted screening for latent tuberculosis infection and contact investigation.
Knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STD treatment protocols and guidelines.
Knowledge of the American College of Immunization Practices recommendations for immunization use in routine or outbreak settings.
Knowledge of professional nursing techniques, basic sciences and interviewing techniques.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public health nursing, family and group relationships, teaching methods and management techniques.
Knowledge of basic strategic planning principles.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health systems.
Knowledge of the use of health assessment tools.

Skill in using computer data entry system.
Skill in providing consultations.
Skill in communicating orally and in written communications.

Ability to perform general and public health nursing.
Ability to plan, organize and carry out training/educational presentations.                                                                                 
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to identify and interpret laws, regulations and policies related to specific programs that protect health and inform communities about these policies.
Ability to collaborate with community partners to promote the health of the population.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing or a compact state to practice as a Registered Nurse.  Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification (basic life support).  Submission of an employment application for this Nursing position serves as your permission for Department of State Health Services to access the Nursy's e-Notify database with the Texas Board of Nursing to verify your licensure and disciplinary history for purposes of licensure, endorsement and/or employment.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Two years of nursing experience in a clinical setting and/or field setting. Experience in working with communities. Experience in developing and providing health education presentations/training. Experience with computer software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and the internet.

Additional Information:

DSHS is a Tobacco-free workplace. Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of their official duties, employee must possess a current valid Texas driver's license for the appropriate type vehicle. Employees/applicants are responsible for providing a copy of their driver’s license prior to beginning employment. May be required to work a flextime schedule, which would include weekends and holidays and to travel on short notice. Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against, measles, mumps,
rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, annual vaccination against influenza (and hepatitis B if applicable).  Mileage reimbursement for travel per state policy.  Grant funded position.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form