City of Laredo

Employment - Current Openings

Job Title:	Licensed Vocational Nurse III, (A106022-2), R33, Public Health Emergency Response (PHER)
Closing Date/Time:	Continuous
Salary:	$14.48 - $19.55 Hourly $2,509.87 - $3,388.67 Monthly $30,118.44 - $40,664.04 Annually
Job Type:	Full-time
Location:	City of Laredo, Texas
Department:	Health

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Description Benefits Supplemental Questions

Performs the principal duty as the PHER (Public Health Emergency Response) nursing planner and coordinator of clinical functions. Develops the nursing team concept that will address the vaccine administration, prophylaxis activities and testing for the PHER for the immediate response to H1N1 and any possible respiratory epidemic and/or pandemic event. Assists with clinical planning of vaccine receiving sites, cold chain capacity, vaccine adverse events reporting system (VAERS), receipt, storage and reordering, proper clinical staffing and supportive staff, initiating contracts for vaccinators, anti-viral distribution, and appropriate preparedness and exercising. Develops risk communication messages to the public and providers on pandemics.
Job Description:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of modern nursing practices, procedures, and techniques. Knowledge of nursing assessments and techniques. Knowledge in the application of basic accounting principles necessary to accomplish financial management tasks such as preparing budgets and monitoring program costs. Ability to follow regulations, procedures, policies, and proper protocol of local and state health department. Ability to work with patients of all ages and with the public tactfully and courteously. Ability to plan, direct, supervise, train and coordinate the work of subordinates. Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record. Ability to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees and respond to general public complaints. Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language. Required to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures. Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed inside and outside a office, stockroom, or warehouse exposed dry atmosphere conditions, and outdoor elements such as dust and slippery/uneven walking surfaces. Work involves working with protective devices, working rotating shifts/weekends, working extended workdays outside the regular working hours, capable of working closely with others or alone, and travel by car 5% of the time. Work requires straight pulling, pulling hand over head, simple grasping, dual simultaneous grasping, standing, sitting, twisting, kneeling, stooping, pushing, crouching, crawling, climbing stairs, walking, reaching above shoulder, light carrying under 15 pounds, and light lifting under 24 pounds. Ability to see, write, count, read, identify shade of colors, depth perception, hearing, operating office and mechanical equipment, and operating motor vehicle is needed to perform essential functions of the job. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Develops staffing requirements for the vaccinator and clinical teams to cover the four jurisdictional counties under the City of Laredo Health Department (counties of Webb, Duval, Jim Hogg, and Zapata--that is approximately 300,000 people demand). Identifies possible locations and staffing requirements for public health organized clinics, estimates the population to be targeted, coordinates with primary care providers, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies to assure a diverse and appropriate vaccine administration network. Tracks providers that have signed up as vaccine administrators and determines an adequate distribution of vaccination sites through out the full jurisdictional area of responsibility. Evaluates the adequacy of vaccine storage and the respective capacity. Develops the VAERS protocol and ensures all consent and administrative forms and documentation is available. Trains vaccination task force outreach teams, to include having MOC exercises of mass vaccine distribution. Conducts preparedness program readiness reviews on all possible vaccinator sites and maintains an inventory of such sites. Develops the contract template and the budget for vaccinators. Plans for antiviral distribution following local, TDSHS (Texas Department of State Health Services) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) protocols. Coordinates school vaccination coverage as well as community institutions. Assures enough emergency equipment is available at all vaccination sites for adverse reactions. Assures that adequate quantities of disposable supplies are ordered and that enough infection control containers are also taken into account. Orders vaccinators uniforms and other personal equipment. Ensures respiratory protection for all first line exposure and support personnel is ordered. Assures enough documentation administrative supplies are in the planning list. Develops health promotions and risk communication plans, messages and material on pandemics for the public and providers. Develops media database for risk communication. Develops database of all providers for pandemic response activities and training. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduated from a State approved School of Vocational Nursing. -AND- Four (4) years of health/clinical experience, of which one (1) year should have been in a supervisory or management capacity.
Valid Licenses and Certifications:
State of Texas Vocational Nursing License is required. CPR/First Aid Certification is required. Valid Texas Drivers License* If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver's License must be obtained prior to employment. As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment. Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.* Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 795-3068 two days prior to the scheduled test or interview. "AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER, THE CITY COMPLIES WITH THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT."