Public Health Nurse I

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Functional Title: Public Health Nurse I 
Job Title: Public Health Nurse I 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Region 4/5 
Posting Number: 11738 
Closing Date: 12/17/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20 
Salary Range: $4,263.16 - $6,779.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 40% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: MOUNT PLEASANT 
Job Location Address: 1014 N JEFFERSON 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 290X,46AX,46FX,46NX,46PX,46SX,46YX,66B,66C,66E,66F,66G,66H,66N,66P,66R,66S,66T,66W 
 
 
 

Job Description:
Public Health Nurse I: Under the supervision of a PHN III Nursing Supervisor, the PHN I is responsible for the delivery of public health nursing services and day to day direction of a public health nursing clinic and the support staff. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, coordinating public health nursing services with Program requirements to assure achievement of the Region's goals and objectives, implementing nursing and program standards to assure quality public health nursing care is provided to consumers, and coordinating services with other disciplines. PHN I is responsible for direct public health nursing services in an assigned geographic area, including participation in current and long-range planning for the assigned area. The PHN I is also responsible for delivering population-based services to assigned communities using the essential public health services model. In coordination with the PHN II, the PHN I indirectly supervises clinic support staff, including scheduling and assignments, assessing staff skills and requesting staff development. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:
45%) DIRECT PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICES 1. Deliver PH nursing services to eligible clients, using the nursing process, adhering to Program standards and guidelines; perform technical Nursing procedures. To include Tuberculosis testing, treatment, and monitoring. May give immunizations and education to eligible clients.  Will travel to geographical areas where our patients reside. 2. Serve as role model for support staff in professional/ethical behavior. 3. Assure appropriate patient referral/follow-up. 4. Coordinate services with other disciplines. Maximize use of available resources for patient benefit. 5. Implement nursing program purpose/goals/objectives, nursing standards, and program changes into the office. 6. Support/interpret lines of authority and interpret/follow lines of communication. 7. Assist with staffing/scheduling of clinics. 8. Responsible for administrative/patient encounter reports. 9. Provide indirect supervision/daily direction of clinic support staff and LVN's. (45%) ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES 1. Monitor health status to identify community health problems. Assist in disease investigation/reporting. Maintain immunization tracking systems. Is a community resource for infectious diseases/immunizations.  2. Diagnose/investigate health hazards in the community. Is a member of multi-disciplinary rapid response team in outbreaks.  Assist in contact/environmental/epidemiological investigations, follow-up; obtain lab samples; provide vaccine. 3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues. Provide community education/training. Identify need/plan/participate in community activities. Provide outreach for services provided, targeting hard to reach groups. 4. Mobilize partnerships to identify/solve health problems. Participate in coalitions/community/worksite/school health meetings. Conduct or gather needs assessment data for planning services. Work with partners to develop plans for low/no cost immunizations and to improve immunization rates. 5. Develop policies/plans that support individual/community health efforts. Advocate for populations that are unable/unwilling to communicate with policy makers. Contact/educate local officials/community leaders about health status indicators/problems. Collect/utilize data to identify trends/needs in groups and recommend new/improved services. Provide input for policies and initiatives; implement into local area. 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health/ensure safety. Link/refer individuals/groups to agencies/specialists on health/safety laws; report potential violations. Assure compliance with all laws/regulations affecting public health nursing practice. 7. Link people to personal health services and assure provision of health care if unavailable. Coordinate provision of health-related services to target populations. Link public/providers to necessary resources. Identify health/human services resources. 8. Assure a competent public health/personal health care workforce. Assist in evaluating staff performance, in orienting employees and determining readiness to independently perform job tasks. Assess in-service needs of other personnel. Participate in planning in-service and recommending program content. Assess training needs of PH professionals/other providers. Recommend/plan/prepare/provide training and technical assistance. Provide classroom &/or clinical education opportunities for health care professions students. Collaborate with educational institutions to address health care needs. Participation/attendance to meet individual continuing education needs. 9. Evaluate effectiveness/accessibility/quality of personal/population-based health services. Participate in regional quality assurance activities. Conduct recruitment activities for potential providers of services. Evaluate and report on effectiveness/accessibility/outcomes of community initiatives/local health services. 10. Research for insights and innovative solutions to health problems. Participate in regional workgroups/CQI teams. Participate in pilot or nursing research projects.(10%)Other duties, as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of professional nursing theory, nursing process, nursing sciences, and clinical skills. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing, including related cultural, social, and economic forces in family and group relationships and principles of public health organizations.  Knowledge of Tuberculosis testing, treatment and monitoring helpful.  Knowledge of childhood and adult immunizations helpful. Knowledge of teaching and learning theories, leadership methods, and interviewing principles and techniques. Knowledge of community resources. Knowledge of principles of supervision and evaluation. Knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act, Pharmacy Act, CLIA Act, and Medical Practice Standing Orders. Knowledge of Standards of nursing practice. Knowledge of physical, developmental, and family assessment. Skills to perform problem solving and decision making; management and supervision; interviewing; negotiating; communicating (both oral and written). Skill in providing group education. Skill in using the computer. Ability to work productively with individuals and with professional and other groups within the community; to gain satisfaction through the growth and development of others; to plan and execute work; to seek and utilize supervision and consultation; to exercise good judgment; to function as a team member; and to communicate effectively. Ability to provide own transportation and willingness to travel to geographical areas where our patients reside. Ability to perform technical nursing procedures.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Licensed as a Registered Nurse in good standing in the State of Texas or one of the license Compact states.  

Initial Selection Criteria:
Current RN License in good standing; at least one year nursing experience, may include prior LVN experience.

Additional Information: NA

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form