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The programs of the Nursing Division are categorized as family health, disease
control and health education. Family Health includes maternal health and prenatal
care, child health, lead poisoning prevention, injury prevention and nutrition.
Activities where these services are conducted include public health nursing visits
to families and disease control activities. Disease control activities include
investigation, surveillance and follow-up of all reportable Communicable
Diseases including West Nile
Virus and Lyme Disease Clinics are also held
for the testing,
diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis, HIV
and STD’s. Clinics are also
held to provide appropriate Immunizations to all residents. Wellness education
activities include presentations and group education on all relevant public health
topics and participation at health fairs and community gatherings to promote
the department’s programs.
To contact the Nursing Division concerning any of the following programs, please
call 270-2655.
Maternal Child Health Programs
This program provides in-home nursing visits for assessment and guidance.
Education is provided on a variety of parenting and child health issues including
nutrition, safety, and growth and development. Home visits are also made to
pregnant women that are identified at “high risk” to provide health
guidance and
support.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Program
The Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) service of Rensselaer County Department
of Health is to offer screening and preventive care to the residents of Rensselaer
County. As a department, we provide health education to prevent the spread of
sexually transmitted diseases. We test and/or screen for sexually transmitted
diseases at our weekly STD clinic held on Wednesday from 2 PM to 4:30 PM at the
Rensselaer County Department of Health. If a patient is screened and diagnosed
with herpes or genital warts they will be referred to their primary care physician
or another healthcare facility that provides treatment and follow-up
for these specific diseases. All services provided during this clinic are free
of charge.
HIV Program
The Rensselaer County Department of Health screens for HIV infection at a clinic
Held at the Health Department every Monday from 2 – 4 pm and every Wednesday
at the STD clinic from 2 – 4:30 pm. Both confidential and Anonymous testing
are provided free of charge. The goal of the service is to promote early knowledge
of HIV status through testing and to insure that all
persons receiving testing are provided information about transmission, prevention
and HIV test specifics.
Hepatitis Vaccination Program
Rensselaer County Department of Health provides free hepatitis vaccination to
high-risk patients attending RCDOH sponsored clinics. The Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination against hepatitis B virus
for persons diagnosed as having recently acquired a sexually transmitted disease
(STD) or who engage in sexual activity with more than one partner in a six month
period. Many fitting this description are clients of STD clinics. ACIP has recommended
that STD patients in certain high-risk groups receive hepatitis A vaccine as
well as hepatitis B vaccine. These high risk groups include men having sex with
men (MSM), persons at increased risk due to their sexual practices, intravenous
drug users (IDUs), and anyone who has chronic liver disease or is HIV positive.
Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
This program provides lead screening where applicable to children age six months
to six years. In-home nursing visits are made to provide education for those
children diagnosed with elevated lead levels. In some instances, environmental
home inspections are made to identify lead problems and educate on corrective
actions or abatement.
Chronic Disease
Chronic disease prevention is promoted through screening programs for diabetes,
breast and cervical cancer and blood pressure. Health education efforts are focused
on the prevention of tobacco use in targeted segments of the population.
Communicable Disease Program
The department conducts timely communicable disease investigation of all reportable
diseases.
Tuberculosis Program
This program offers medical care to individuals with active TB and inactive TB.
Medical care includes skin testing, chest x-ray, and medications.
Lyme Prevention Program
This program provides public education and follow-up to providers on diagnostic
criteria.
Rabies Control Program
This program provides treatment for individuals exposed to potentially rabid
animals. Vaccination clinics are also provided for pet dogs and cats.
Communicable Disease Program
(518) 270-2630
Investigates and controls outbreaks of communicable diseases.
Travel Immunization Program
(518) 270-2658
Provides yellow fever vaccines and other services for travelers. Immunization
clinic every Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm and every Thursday 9am to 11am. Please call
for hours at our Rensselaer and Hoosick Falls offices.
Tuberculosis Program
(518) 270-2630
Offers medical care for active and inactive TB, skin testing, and medications.
Skin tests done every Monday 12pm to 1pm and every Tuesday 2pm to 4pm. Please
call for clinic dates.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (VD) Clinic
(518) 270-2630
Provides confidential diagnosis and treatment to all age groups. Every Wednesday
2pm to 4:30pm.
PeriNatal Hepatitis B Program
(518) 270-2763
Identifies positive Moms and insures their infants receive the Hepatitis B Vaccine
series. Call for information.
Rabies
(518) 270-2643
Investigations of potential contacts of humans to rabid animals. Please call
for clinic times and location.
HIV/AIDS Community Education Program
(518) 270-2763
Provides informational sessions and programs targeted at high-risk populations
and the general public. For more information, please call.
HIV Testing and Counseling
(518) 270-2763
Provides anonymous and confidential HIV counseling and testing. Every Monday
from 2pm to 4pm and every Wednesday from 2pm to 4:30pm.
Public Health Nursing Program
(518) 270-2655
Provides home visits to pregnant women, new parents, infants and children to
coordinate needed health and support services. In addition, the nurse provides
health education related to prenatal care, growth and development of infants
and children, nutrition, safety in the home and available community resources.
Child Find Program
(518)270-2655
Provides eligible children, ages birth to three, and their families referral
to services in the community and assistance with establishing ongoing health
care that includes developmental surveillance. Your local county, along with
your child’s pediatrician, will track your child’s development up
to age 30 months. Should a delay in development be identified, a referal for
further evaluation and possible services can promptly be made to your county’s
Early Intervention Program.
Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
(518)270-2642
Provides the following services:
Testing for lead poisoning for uninsured children in Albany County, ages 6 months
through 5 years.
Nursing visits to assist with education and treatment.
Home inspections to find and correct lead problems.
Healthy Women Partnership
(518)270-2640
Provides services to eligible women at no cost or low cost for mammography and
pap smears by affiliated providers within the county. Please call for more information.
Obtaining Services
Most services are by appointment. If there is an urgent problem, services will
be arranged as quickly as possible.
Location
1600 7th Avenue
Troy, New York 12180
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Monday through Friday
(except holidays)
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