PHPS I

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Field Clinic Operations and Patient Care Support

• Performs comprehensive field clinic preparation, layout set-up, and sanitization/clean-up before and after operating hours.
• Conducts non-invasive routine patient screening tests, measurements, and vital sign checks (including blood pressure, height, and weight) as assigned by the nurse.
• Performs clinical laboratory support services under direction, including drawing blood via phlebotomy and collecting non-hazardous screening specimens.
• Safely handles, labels, packages, and logs biological specimens (including infectious TB sputum samples) for shipping to the state laboratory in accordance with biohazard and infection control templates.
• Assists physicians and staff inside the exam room during patient assessments; maintains, cleans, and monitors required clinic hardware (such as centrifuges, scales, and blood pressure cuffs).
• Directly supports the Tuberculosis (TB) elimination program by executing strictly non-clinical Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) protocols, physically monitoring patients swallowing prescribed anti-TB medications via home visits or clinic appointments.
• Prepares workspaces for specialized screenings and maintains an accurate inventory of clinical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Obtains and maintains a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR certification.

 (40%)

Population and Community Health Services

• Confers with local health agencies, private physicians, community groups, and educational coalitions to distribute resources regarding the treatment, control, and prevention of communicable diseases.
• Participates in planning, arranging workflows for, and conducting public health training courses and outreach initiatives within an assigned geographic region.
• Serves as an educational resource in creating awareness of regional health crises, trending topics, and injury prevention activities.
• Collects, organizes, and inputs field data used by epidemiologists and managers to evaluate the overall effectiveness of public health education programs and mandated vaccine drives.
• Assists program leaders in distributing vital materials and compiling information responses to public public health requests.

Deploys to neighborhoods, mobile clinics, and non-traditional sites to provide supportive coordination during special community health fairs or targeted outbreak containment events. (35%)

Clerical Activities, QA, and Facility Readiness Tracking

• Serves as the primary public health nursing office receptionist, managing multi-line phone triage, greeting clients, and scheduling appointments.
• Establishes, sets up, organizes, and securely files confidential case records and patient charts inside Electronic Health Records (EHR) databases in strict compliance with HIPAA and DSHS privacy policies.
• Manages an Excel-based TB Patient Order Tickler Tracking system and administrative reminder log to track charts submitted to doctors, ensuring no delays occur while waiting for physician signatures.
• Prepares, audits, and inputs data for monthly administrative and program metrics with a high degree of accuracy.
• Coordinates and logs facility emergency readiness metrics; performs regular, documented inspections of facility Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and clinical emergency/anaphylaxis kits.
• Handles administrative procurement workflows, including ordering and inventory tracking for clinic office supplies and emergency medical kit replenishment.
• Maintains secure administrative files regarding staff licenses, certifications, and compliance logs for employee N95 respirator fit-testing schedules.

(20%)

Disaster Response and Continuity of Operations

• Actively participates and serves in a supportive, non-clinical role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response, emergency management, or Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) activation.
• Note: Emergency response participation may temporarily require an alternate shift pattern, modified schedule, or alternative location assignment

 (5%)

 

  Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Requires a valid Texas driver's license

For LVN applicants: Licensed to practice as a licensed vocational nurse in the State of Texas (or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact), must be in good standing,  BLS certified and current.   

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of general public health principles, community health resources, and preventative medicine; basic knowledge of clinic operations, filing structures, and basic English grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
• Knowledge of community resources, public health and welfare services, and referral sources.

Skill in:

• Skill in utilizing computers and software programs, specifically data entry, word processing, and utilizing Microsoft Excel spreadsheet metrics; skill in performing basic mathematical calculations and completing complicated forms with a high degree of accuracy.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication; possessing baseline client interviewing techniques to gather demographic and social history data while maintaining patient confidentiality.

Ability to: 

• Ability to safely collect and handle laboratory specimens, perform phlebotomy, and accurately record screening measurements (blood pressure, weight).
• Ability to recognize the explicit scope of responsibility for an unlicensed role and distinguish tasks that must be referred to a licensed supervising nurse.
• Ability to function smoothly as a flexible member of a professional healthcare team and follow standing administrative templates.
• Ability to travel extensively across the neighborhoods and diverse geographic environments where patients reside, and work outside of standard business hours as dictated by outbreak response needs.
• Ability to complete complicated forms with a high degree of accuracy, including mathematical calculations.

Initial Screening Criteria:

High School Diploma or GED.

Application indicates willingness to Travel up to 45%.

Excellent written communications as observed by detail and completeness of information provided on the state application.

Verifiable experience utilizing computer programs including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel Spreadsheets, Adobe Acrobat, and Outlook.

Additional Information:

LVN applicants encouraged to apply. Licensed to practice as a licensed vocational nurse in the State of Texas (or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact), must be in good standing, BLS certified and current. 

Willing to work hours other than 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m and Travel up to 45% of the time. Must provide own transportation and willing to travel to geographical areas where our patients reside. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of their official duties they must hold a current valid Texas drivers license for the appropriate type vehicle. Employee/applicant is responsible for providing a copy of their drivers license prior to beginning employment. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview. 

MOS Code:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: 68Z, 68S, 60C, HM, 230X, HS, MED, 4B0X1, SE112, NAP11, 4E0X1, 43HX. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.