EYE HEALTH NURSE

 

DEFINITION


 Under direction of the Supervisor of Eye Health Services,
 Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Department of
 Human Services, conducts field and office work with clients
 having eye conditions; works with physicians and hospitals to
 make arrangements for appropriate medical and/or surgical care;
 assists with the Commission program for preventing blindness;
 does other related duties.

 NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative
 purposes only.  A particular position using this title may not
 perform all duties listed in this job specification.  Conversely,
 all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

 
EXAMPLES OF WORK:


 Conducts home visits to persons who are suffering from eye
 disorders to obtain information; prepares case histories.

 Reviews case histories and physicians' diagnoses or prognoses;
 determines the type and extent of services including need for
 medical treatment, surgery, and prosthetic appliances.

 Contacts physicians, clients, hospitals, and appropriate social
 agencies, to plan for clients welfare, treatment, and financial
 assistance.

 Provides advice to clients and their families during treatment;
 interprets the findings of medical specialists, and the medical,
 surgical, hospital, clinic, and other required services.

 Conducts pre- and postoperative home and hospital visits.

 Provides information on sight conservation and blindness
 prevention to professional, educational, and lay community
 groups.

 Lectures student nurses on sight conservation, blindness
 prevention, and eye care.

 May assist in conducting eye symposia and workshops.

 Assembles and distributes literature, dealing with eye care and
 sight conservation.

 Conducts home visits to encourage and arrange treatment for
 identified or suspected cases of glaucoma, in cooperation with
 the Glaucoma Detection Program of the State Medical Society;
 works with physicians and hospital staff in follow-up treatment.

 Conducts investigations, surveys, and studies.

 Prepares intake forms, authorizations to physicians, hospitals,
 opticians, optical companies, registration forms,
 interdepartmental referrals, letters, and itineraries.

 Maintains current case histories.

 Prepares reports and correspondence.

 Maintains records and files.

 Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
 and/or manual recording and information systems used by the
 agency, office, or related units.

 REQUIREMENTS:

      EXPERIENCE:

      Two (2) years of experience in professional nursing, public
 health nursing, or medically oriented social work.

      LICENSE:

      Applicants must possess a license as a Professional Nurse in
 New Jersey.

      Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license
 valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather
 than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties
 of the position.

 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

 Knowledge of principles, procedures, and techniques of nursing
 care and their application to eye disorders, preservation of
 sight, and prevention of blindness.

 Knowledge of hospital and ophthalmologic services, facilities,
 and medical practices.

 Knowledge of specialized needs of patients who have failing sight
 or who are blind.

 Knowledge of the emotional, social, physical, vocational, and
 other problems of persons who are blind or who suffer from
 failing sight.

 Knowledge of methods used in conducting demonstrations, classes,
 conferences, and discussion groups for and with lay persons
 and/or professional workers.

 Knowledge of methods/techniques of services useful in dealing
 with persons whose sight is failing or who are blind.

 Ability to read and understand information, policies, procedures,
 and standards of the Commission for the Blind and Visually
 Impaired.

 Ability to read and understand information of the community
 resources and facilities for public health education including
 official and nonofficial health, welfare, and educational
 organizations and agencies.

 Ability to maintain effective working relationships with
 individuals of different racial, social, and cultural
 characteristics and to show empathy for their customs and
 preferences.

 Ability to analyze and apply principles/practices of medical
 surgical care and rules and standards of the Commission.

 Ability to organize field and office public health work, analyze
 problems relating to patients who suffer from eye defects or who
 are blind, and develop appropriate work methods.

 Ability to adapt nursing/teaching techniques to meet the needs
 and interest of those being served and the experience of the
 immediate situation.

 Ability to develop and maintain a professional attitude.

 Ability to assist in special studies/surveys and to collect,
 arrange, and interpret data.

 Ability to act as representative of the Commission at meetings,
 conferences, and workshops.

 Ability to prepare official correspondence.

 Ability to carry projects through to completion and prepare
 histories and reports.

 Ability to maintain records and files.

 Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
 recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
 related units.

 Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in
 English sufficiently to perform duties of this position.
 American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as
 acceptable forms of communication.

 Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long
 as they can perform essential functions of the job after
 reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations.  If
 the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the
 employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

 CODES:   20/P22 - 03963            MCK                 6/2/01