New Employee Orientation

(Insert name) County Health Department

Welcome!!

(insert name) County Health Department was established in (mm/dd/yyyy).

(insert #) employees (insert #) clients

(Insert Mission, Vision, or values statement)Our mission is to achieve a health

community by protecting and promoting public health through education, training, provision of health services, and advocacy.

Public Health In North Carolina

Public health is about promotion, intervention, and prevention.

North Carolina Public Health Statutes are the principle sources of public health law (G.S. Chapter 130A.)

Core Functions of Public Health

1. Assessment2. Policy Development3. Assurance

*Taken from the CDC

Essential Public Health Services

Monitor health status Diagnose and

investigate health problems

Inform, educate, and empower

Mobilize community partnerships

Develop policies and plans

Enforce laws and regulations

Link people to health services

Assure a competent public health workforce

Evaluate public health efforts and services

Research solutions to health problems

*Taken from the CDC

Roles of Health Department Employees

Board of Health

The Board of Health (BOH) is a governmental body comprised of elected and appointed community members.

11 members Major responsibilities include:

Assessing health needs Establishing policy and program direction Assuring that the local health services are

responsive to the health needs of the community

Health Director

Administrator of the local health department

Major responsibilities: Enforcing public health law and ordinances Administering funds Supporting staff Executing board of health policies and plans

Physician and Mid-level Providers

Our Physician (fill in the role your physician plays at the health department/district).

A Physician’s Assistant is a licensed health professional who practices under the supervision of a physician to provide basic medical services.

A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who has at least a master’s degree and advanced training for providing health care, including many tasks customarily performed by a physician.

Major Responsibilities

Counseling and educating patients

Diagnosing and treating acute illness, infections, and injuries

Diagnosing, treating, and monitoring chronic diseases

Obtaining medical histories and conducting physical examinations

Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests

Prescribing medications

Providing prenatal care and family planning services

Providing well-child care

Providing health maintenance care for adults

Public Health Nurse

Registered nurse with special training in community health.

Educates clients about disease prevention, nutrition, sexually transmitted diseases, family planning, and child care.

Works with community leaders, teachers, parents, and physicians to improve communities’ understanding of important health issues and services.

Major Responsibilities

Provide preventative health services to reduce the rate of disease

Provide health education, care management, and primary care

Evaluate health trends and risk factors

Respond to public health emergencies

Collaborate with advisory boards and coalitions to promote health

Work with communities or specific population groups to develop public policy, promote health, and disease intervention strategies

Participate in monitoring health departments to assure the provision of quality care

Link people to public health services and programs

Laboratory Staff

Provide supportive services to the clinic and environmental health in order to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, conditions, and environmental hazards.

Other major responsibilities: Help in the diagnosis and treatment of

disease and conditions Monitor patient response to treatment Screen for asymptomatic disease and

conditions

Public Health Educator

Main objective is to prevent disease and promote healthy lifestyles through knowledge and changes in behaviors.

Major responsibilities: Assess individual and community needs Plan and implement educational programs Evaluate the success of the programs

Public Health Social Worker

Works to identify children, adults, families who are in need and helps them make behavioral or situational life changes.

Focuses on prevention and early intervention.

Coordinates services and provide resources.

Environmental Health Specialist

Focuses on preserving and improving environmental factors affecting the health and safety of our community.

Major responsibilities: Food and lodging inspections On-site waste water inspections Swimming pool sanitation inspections Lead investigation Radon testing Animal disease control

Public Health Nutritionist

Educates individuals about the role of nutrition in disease prevention and health promotion.

Major responsibilities: Create partnerships Facilitate policy changes Assure nutritional expertise Identify areas for nutrition intervention

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Federal program that provides nutritious foods, education, and referrals to health and other social services to participants at no charge.

Target population is low income pregnant women and children who are nutritionally at risk.

Public Health Dentist

Helps prevent and control dental disease and promotes dental and oral health through organized community efforts.

Major responsibilities: Assess the oral and dental health needs of

the community Develop and implement policies aimed at

improving the community’s oral and dental health needs

Provide programs and services that address oral and dental health issues and needs

Administrative Staff

Support Staff Medical and front-desk receptionists Medical records Billing coordinators Technology

Translators Health Check/Health Choice

Coordinators

Vital Records

North Carolina Vital Records Unit registers all births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages, and divorces which occur in North Carolina.

Health Departments verify birth and death certificates.

Health Director must sign off on the documents before sending them to the Register of Deeds for certification.

Home Health/Hospice Nurse

A home health nurse provides services to patients at home who are recovering from illnesses, accidents, surgeries, or childbirth.

A hospice nurse provides care to terminally ill patients outside of hospitals.

Questions??