24 July, 2019
Title: Public Health Nurse
Classification: Professional
Department: Board of Health Grade: 8
Reports to: Health Director FLSA Status: Exempt
Effective Date: 7/1/2019 Union Status: Non-represented
This position is appointed by the Town Manager. The Town Manager has delegated the supervision of
the position to the Health Services Director.
Summary
The Public Health Nurse maintains the public’s health by providing health services and information, in
accordance with the policies of the Hopkinton Board of Health, the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health and public health laws and codes. The duties of the Public Health Nurse require considerable
knowledge and judgement in providing such health services and information. Performs all other related
work as required.
Essential Functions
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of
work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from
the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Performs nursing duties and responsibilities. Serves patients by visiting homes; determining patient and
family needs; developing health care plans; providing nursing services and treatments; referring patients
with social and emotional problems to other community agencies.
Helps the community health care team by coordinating assessment, planning, and providing needed
health and related services; participating in case conferences with physicians, hospital and rehabilitative
personnel, and representatives of other agencies.
Provides health information by instructing family in the care and rehabilitation of patient; maintaining
health and prevention of disease for family members; teaching home nursing, maternal and child care;
providing instructions in other subjects related to individual and community welfare.
Safeguards health of children by participating in child health conferences, school health; providing group
instruction for parents; conducting immunization programs.
Arranges convalescent and rehabilitative care of sick or injured persons by cooperating with families,
community agencies, and medical personnel.
Performs health clinics. Administers vaccinations; performs public health wellness programs for blood
pressure and nutrition, and other health areas.
Performs public health education awareness and training including the hazards with vaping/tobacco,
drugs, and substance abuse, healthy lifestyles, fitness, and healthy aging.
Conducts Health Fairs.
Town of Hopkinton, MA
Public Health Nurse
Page | 1
TOWN OF HOPKINTON JOB DESCRIPTION
Improves quality results by studying, evaluating, and recommending changes in processes; implementing
changes.
Responsible for vaccine and supply maintenance and recordkeeping.
Performs duties related to Medical Reserve Corps as established with the Health Director. Handles all
related maintenance and record keeping for program, including training and reporting.
Serves as a department contact for Health Alert Network, MAVEN and VIPS. Serves as liaison to Youth
and Families, Schools, and Senior Center for health related issues (tobacco, vaping, nutrition, drug and
substance abuse, health aging); coordinates flu and other vaccination clinics; completes foodborne illness
investigations.
Keeps supplies ready by inventorying stock; placing orders; verifying receipt. Maintains vaccine and other
temperature storage related documentation.
Oversees and coordinates MRC and emergency response training; responds to health emergencies
related to school, camp, daycare, and nursing home operations.
Serves as point of contact for the general public regarding community health programs.
Provides public health residents assistance services and senior citizens outreach services.
Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Works under the general direction of the Director of Public Health and in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Performs highly responsible duties requiring independent judgment and initiative in planning, organizing
and directing the work of the department and in the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws, and
town and departmental bylaws.
Does not supervise any employees.
Qualifications
Education, Training and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university. One to three (1-3) years of
experience in nursing. Must have experience in the administration of immunizations, communicable
disease investigations, and public health clinics and educational programs.
Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of the practices and administration of public health. Extensive
knowledge of the applicable state and local laws and regulations relative to environmental and public
health. Extensive knowledge of public health-related field such as communicable disease prevention
and/or industrial hygiene.
Town of Hopkinton, MA
Public Health Nurse
Page | 2
TOWN OF HOPKINTON JOB DESCRIPTION
Ability: Must be able to work independently. Ability to handle emergency situations and remain calm and
concentrate and perform all responsibilities in a competent manner at all times. Able to communicate
effectively and efficiently verbally and in writing at all times.
Skill: Skill in record keeping and inventory management, interpersonal/collaborative communication;
computer skills that encompass effective use of word processing, spreadsheet, project management,
presentation, mail and Internet browser, MAVEN, VIPS and other municipal software. Excellent nursing
skills. Must demonstrate creativity as it relates to educational and public awareness collateral. Skill to
establish and administer the local Medical Reserve Corps.
Required Licensing/Certification: Registered Nurse. Valid Driver’s License.
Job Environment
● Nursing duties take place at various sites including clinics, hospital, home visits, and at office.
Employee is required to attend occasional night meetings.
● Regularly operates motor vehicle; when in the office, operates computer and standard office
equipment such as telephone, copier, and facsimile machine; when on site, may be required to
operate some or all of the following equipment: hand tools, thermometers, syringes and other
medical items.
● Makes very frequent contacts with the general public, other town departments/ boards/ committees,
health care professionals and organizations, contractors, local/state agencies, and the general public;
contact is by telephone, in writing, through personal meetings, and meetings with groups and
requires considerable persuasiveness and resourcefulness to influence the behavior of others.
● Has access to confidential information including personnel records, pending public health-related
lawsuits, criminal investigations and other sensitive information.
● Errors in the technical application of recognized public health procedures could seriously endanger
public health and safety, result in inadequate conditions of sanitation, have legal and financial
ramifications, and cause severe adverse public relations.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to perform moderate physical activity when interacting with patients, such as walking on uneven
terrain, climbing stairs, balancing, stretching, and lifting (up to 25 lbs.). Ability to stoop, bend, kneel,
crouch, and twist; Ability to reach and lift with hands and arms; Good manual dexterity, with both hands,
to finger, handle, feel, manipulate and operate medical equipment and devices; Ability to perform job
duties under adverse conditions, including, but not limited to, inclement weather, natural disaster and/or
declared emergency; Ability to hear, speak and smell; Ability to see, including close vision, distance
vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus; and ability to perform essential job
functions, including regular attendance. Operates automobile for transacting business.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee,
and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job
change.
Pay Equity/Equal Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act Employer
