Public Health Nurse Position Description

Public Health Nurse Position Description

Background

In 2003 at a Public Health Focus Group, the group indicated a need to educate ONA Staff and membership on the topic of the role of the Public Health Nurse. The following generic Position Description was developed in consultation with leaders from the Public Health sector. It not intended to be all inclusive. 

Position Summary

The Public Health Nurse (PHN) is an integral member of the public health team and provides public health nursing services based on the principles of Public Health, health promotion and disease prevention. Inherent in this role are the knowledge, skills and attitudes specific to health promotion and disease/injury prevention.

PHN roles include service provider (Healthy Babies Healthy Children, Sexual Health Clinic, Communicable Diseases follow-up, Travel clinics, Injury Prevention, Chronic Disease Prevention, etc.) consultant, educator, case manager, community developer, facilitator, advocate, counselor, communicator, coordinator, collaborator, researcher and evaluator, social marketer and advocates for and participates in policy formulation.

Responsibilities may include:

• Collaborates with other health unit personnel in order to achieve agency goals.
• Participates in activities directed at meeting the overall goals of the Health Unit.
• Supports and participates in public health research activities.
• Complies with agency policies.
• Provides lead/participates in program development within established parameters.
• Implements program activities as outlined in program guidelines & operational plans.
• Participates in the orientation of new staff and/or students.
• Fulfils the preceptor role with assigned students.
• Makes changes in public health nursing practice based on self‑appraisal, ongoing feedback and guidance, mentoring, professional development, performance appraisal and application of current best practice/evidence-based research.
• Identifies issues and actively works towards resolution.
• Consults with managers for communication, consultation and reporting purposes.
• Actively contributes to the improvement of the services offered and the processes through which these services are delivered.
• Contributes to positive team functioning.
• Represents service/program or agency in the community and complies with service area policies.
• Applies nursing knowledge, skills and judgment in assessing needs of individuals, families and communities and the development of an appropriate intervention plan.
• Works with/encourages/teaches communities, coalitions and committees, families and individuals to take responsibility for maintaining and/or improving their health by increasing their knowledge of, their control over and their influence on determinants of health.
• Assists communities, groups or individuals to anticipate, cope with and manage maturational changes.
• Uses multiple strategies to support communities, families and individuals to make decisions that are conducive to good health.
• Initiates/participates in health promotion activities in partnership with others.
• Facilitates school programming, work place wellness and other programs.
• Works with community stakeholders to create change in communities in support of health promotion.
• Uses appropriate strategies to reduce risk factors for chronic disease and disability, injury and developmental delays.
• Applies epidemiological principles and knowledge of disease process in the management and control of communicable diseases.
• Uses strategies such as: screening, surveillance, immunization, early case identification, contact tracing, episodic care, health education and case management to reduce communicable disease risk factors in the community.
• Utilizes Health Unit resources in an accountable manner.
• Ability to travel in a timely manner to locations outside assigned office in order to carry out assigned duties.
• Holistic/comprehensive approach with clients (individuals, families and communities).
• Participates in development of strategic, operational and work plans to meet Public Health goals.
• Participates in research; contributes to design, data collection, analysis and report writing.
• Writes proposals to access resources (funding or materials) for projects.
• Participates in development and review of resource material to ensure fit with project goals.
• Participates in social marketing campaigns.
• Function within the Ministry Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines and the Health Promotion and Protection Act.

Knowledge and Skills may include:

• Advanced oral and written communication skills
• Strong work organization and time management skills
• Strong negotiation and collaboration skills
• Ability to work as part of a team with multidisciplinary colleagues and community partners
• Ability to function independently within established perimeters
• Advanced application of health promotion principles
• Flexibility
• Application of the nursing process in working with individuals, families, and communities
• Priority setting skills
• Facilitation skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Diplomacy and political astuteness
• Creative problem solving skills
• Consultation skills
• Computer skills
• Leadership skills

Education and Experience may include:

• A Baccalaureate degree that indicates preparation in public health nursing, or equivalent e.g. Public Health Certificate
• Current certificate of registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario including competence in CPR