ABOUT THIS POSITION: This Position is located at the Dunham U.S. Army Health Clinic, Carlisle Barricks, PA

As a specialized registered nurse, the Community Health Nurse (CHN) provides public health services to beneficiaries of Dunham U.S. Army Health Clinic. Provide generalized community health nursing services in clinics, homes and schools within the Military Community with emphasis on a family-centered preventive approach. Performs tasks in public health nursing to include but not limited to; Disease Control and Surveillance, Wellness and Health Promotion, Tobacco Cessation, Child and Youth Services, and Deployment Health. Responsible for executing duties in the conducting of epidemiological investigations, patient assessments, data tracking and analysis, counseling, education and case management for individuals exposed to and/or infected with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), Hepatitis, Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV), Tuberculosis (TB), Rabies Influenza and other communicable diseases.

The primary role of the CHN is that of health advisor and provider of nursing services to individuals, families, and members of groups and organizations within the community setting. Continuously monitors trends in acute, chronic, and communicable diseases. Utilizes facilitative, collaborative, consultative, investigative, and nursing skills to ensure implementation of appropriate interventions, and linkage with appropriate resources. Actively participates in the quality improvement process through ongoing review of processes and data to identify opportunities for improvement. Conducts and analyzes community assessment and community needs assessment surveys recognizing the social, cultural, and political climate of the catchment area. Conducts appropriate surveys of military and civilian community resources of military and civilian community resources available to the military population.

Epidemiology Program Manager - Plans, conducts and evaluates epidemiology and disease surveillance programs. Develops objectives, standards, and policies to ensure the delivery of comprehensive epidemiology in accordance with medical, legal, and regulatory requirements. Implements surveillance policies and programs IAW DOD, Army, TRICARE, and Health Affairs guidance.

Performs functions with significant independence for Epidemiology, Disease Epidemiology Reporting System (DRS). Secure a health and developmental history from the patient or parent, records findings and makes critical evaluation. Performs or request special screening and developmental tests and laboratory tests and interprets the results. Makes decisions concerning medical care needs of patients with physicians as well as decisions regarding nursing care needs. Executes disease outbreak investigations and perform analysis to include: attack rates, incidence rate, prevalence, and relative risk, target groups, cause of outbreak based on the strength of the association, consistency of data, biological credibility, and use tools of descriptive and analytical epidemiology.

Communicates with installation, county and state public health, departments and military regional medical centers manage and/or report data, facilitate or conduct epidemiologic investigations, or coordinate care within the region. Maintains liaison with Public Affairs Office, troop commanders, clinic personnel, and health authorities for the purpose of disseminating information and coordinating services to reduce the spread of communicable diseases.

Assist Chief, PM to plan, coordinate and conduct mass immunization programs to include MILVAX and annual influenza programs.

Assists in the assessment, planning, administration, execution, and evaluation of the Influenza Vaccine Program for ages 6 months and older. Participates in Influenza campaigns which may be outside of normal duty hours.

Ensures the reportable events and communicable disease prevention and control program is critically reviewed and monitored by an ongoing process improvement program.

Utilizes computerized word processing, data base and spreadsheets to include the Composite Health Care System (CHCS I and/or II), Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA), Medical Protection System (MEDPROS), Medical Occupational Data Systems (MODS), Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics (ESSENCE), Army Disease Reportable System internet (ADRSi).

Health Consultant - Administers and interprets AR 608-10 and interim guidance on the health requirements for staff and participants, and sanitation of facilities. Conducts monthly site assessment visits; participate on the Installation Evaluation Team for youth center, school age services, child development center, and family child care. Plans, coordinates, conducts and evaluates classes on medication administration, communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, pediatric health conditions and treatments, and health promotion practices. Advises and develops action plans for the Family Advocacy Program Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) and Case Review Committee on pediatric health and developmental concerns. Responds to requests for exception to policy situations for example: medications, immunizations, or nutrition. Advises on and report communicable disease clusters or outbreaks. Coordinates with civilian health care providers, hospitals, local public health departments.

Health Promotion Coordinator – Responsible for coordination of installation scheduled Health Fairs. Independently develops, conducts and analyzes needs assessments for program planning, assessing health status, identifying health risks, identifying resources, cost benefit analysis, and establishing priorities for health promotion and disease prevention activities within the Military community, in accordance with AR 600-63, Army Health Promotion. Develops and implements research and evidence based curricula and lesson plans for health education programs, classes, short courses, and training seminars. Provides health awareness activities to include monthly health observance information and newspaper articles, and health screening activities at community fairs and forums Manages budget and procure supplies for the program activities.

Establishes outcome objectives for health promotion programs. Develops written protocol and procedural guidance for implementation an evaluation of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programs. Evaluates and interprets documents and data resources form federal, state and local governmental agencies to make recommendations for changes in health promotion programs. Coordinates efforts with Public Health Command.

Represents the Command, and Chief, Preventive Medicine on interagency and interdepartmental committees, boards, and meetings involving matters related to health promotion and disease prevention.

Develops and updates internal Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) relating to program operations annually, documents and maintains patient records that have received counseling or direct patient services, prepares reports and develops educational materials and tools. Develops performance work plans. Contributes to performance and evaluation reports. Ensures compliance with compliance with the Joint Commission (JC) Standards and The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPAA) Privacy Rule.

Develops and maintains annual program document, monthly activity calendar, military unit health risk assessment profiles, monthly activity report, supply and equipment procurement actions, quality improvement program, and budget projections and requests.

Sustains personal and clinic staff professional development by participating in professional meetings, continuing education courses, reading current professional journals and literature.

Performs other duties as assigned.