Job Description
Public Health Nurse - STI Prevention American Indian Health Service of Chicago, Inc., seeks a dedicated Public Health Nurse to join our team and focus on STI prevention efforts. The Indian Health Service funds this position under the Public Health Nurse grant. About Us American Indian Health Service of Chicago, Inc. (AIHSC) is a non-profit charitable organization (501c3) established in 1974 and is one of 34 urban health centers for American Indians in the United States. AIHSC is the only American Indian-operated medical and behavioral health clinic in the state of Illinois, providing accessible, preventive health care and outreach services to the Native American community and surrounding populations regardless of ability to pay. Our services include medical clinic, behavioral health clinic, diabetes clinic, community health worker programs, HIV testing and prevention, and culturally sensitive care. Position Overview The Public Health Nurse (PHN) is a professional nursing position responsible for providing comprehensive public health nursing services to individuals, families, and the community served by AIHSC. This position emphasizes infection prevention and control, disease surveillance, health promotion, and disease prevention activities. The PHN plays a critical role in identifying, preventing, and controlling communicable diseases and healthcare-associated infections while delivering culturally competent care to the American Indian/Alaska Native community and other underserved populations. This position is grant-funded through Indian Health Service. Infection Prevention and Control Develop, implement, and monitor infection prevention and control protocols and procedures for the clinic Conduct infection control risk assessments and environmental surveillance Investigate and document communicable disease cases and potential outbreaks in accordance with local and state health department guidelines Monitor compliance with infection control practices, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and standard precautions Provide training and education to staff on infection prevention best practices and emerging infectious disease threats Maintain surveillance systems for healthcare-associated infections and reportable diseases Coordinate with local and state public health authorities regarding disease reporting and outbreak response Ensure compliance with CDC guidelines, OSHA regulations, and other applicable infection control standards Develop and update infection control policies and standard operating procedures Public Health Nursing Services Provide direct nursing care to patients including assessments, screenings, immunizations, and health interventions Conduct health risk assessments for individuals and families to identify health needs and barriers to care Deliver health education and counseling on disease prevention, health promotion, and self-management of chronic conditions Administer immunizations following CDC and state immunization schedules and protocols Perform tuberculosis (TB) screening, testing, education, and treatment monitoring Provide STI prevention, education, testing, and treatment support Support HIV testing, education, prevention programs, and linkage to care services Conduct contact tracing and follow-up for communicable diseases Assist patients in navigating healthcare systems and connecting them to appropriate community resources Participate in community outreach activities and health fairs Case Management and Coordination Manage caseload of patients requiring ongoing monitoring and intervention Coordinate care with physicians, behavioral health providers, and community partners Develop and implement individualized care plans in collaboration with patients and families Monitor patient compliance with treatment plans and follow-up appointments Facilitate referrals to specialty care, social services, and support programs Maintain accurate and timely documentation in electronic health records (EHR) Data Collection and Program Evaluation Collect, organize, and analyze health data to identify community health trends and priorities Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of public health interventions and infection control measures Prepare reports on disease surveillance, infection control activities, and program outcomes Participate in quality improvement initiatives and performance measurement activities Maintain accurate records and documentation for compliance and reporting purposes Emergency Preparedness and Respons