Senior Public Health Nurse

What You'll Do:
This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including;

• Provides nursing expertise for pregnant women, infants, and children as it pertains to abuse and neglect investigations.
• Provides verbal and written consultation with social work staff pertaining to high-risk cases.
• Will respond to field investigations with social work staff.
• Provides leadership as point of contact for the Children and Family Services Team when the Supervising PHN is out of office. 

Where You'll Do It:
This position is located in Eureka, CA


A typical work schedule for this position is M-F; 40 hour work week.

Please note: This is a continuous recruitment and Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.

DEFINITION

Under direction, performs public health nursing duties in an assigned area and one or a combination of the following: serves as assistant supervisor for a team which includes other nurses and may also include para-professionals and/or office staff; and/or has charge of a specialized health care program; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

This class provides public health nursing services for the more complex client cases, provides review, directional supervision for the work of professional nursing and para-professional staff on an assigned team and/or may have independent responsibility for a major specialized public health program. This class is distinguished from the Supervising Public Health Nurse in that the latter has primary, supervisory responsibility for a public health nursing team and assigned specialized projects and programs.

• Acts as the team leader on a health team with other professionals and para-professionals in the delivery of public health nursing services.
• Assigns client cases and assists in evaluation of team staff.
• Provides consultation and guidance to team members on difficult client problems; assists in the training and orientation of staff.
• Evaluates the health needs of individuals and special population groups from a wide variety of cultural and economic backgrounds, recent immigrant populations and those choosing alternate lifestyles.
• Identifies the symptoms of physical, mental or emotional problems and refers individuals and families to appropriate financial, medical or other support services; performs followup on such referrals.
• Coordinates division services with private, public and community voluntary health and social service agencies; serves as liaison to community groups, assists them in identifying health needs, and provides public health education.
• Gives immunizations and conducts immunization clinics; performs selected diagnostic tests under standardized procedures and gives prescribed treatments.
• Provides prenatal and post-partum nursing care and participates in well-child clinics asassigned.
• May serve as primary staff in communicable disease clinics or assists in other clinics.
• May conduct a specialized health care or training program or project; assists in planning and development of programs and preparation of funding proposals.
• Monitors and evaluates programs, projects and special services; prepares a variety of periodic and special reports for appropriate management review.

Knowledge of:

• Basic supervisory principles and practices.
• Principles, practices and current trends of public health nursing and the California Nurse Practice Act rules and regulations and applicable state and local codes.
• Principles of nutrition and its effect on varying age groups.
• Pathophysiology of the major causes of illness and handicapping conditions.
• Normal growth and development including the aging process.
• Demographic, biostatistical and data collection methods utilized in evaluating public health needs and problems.
• Principles and practices of public health education and teaching.
• Principles, practices and methods of control and prevention of communicable and chronic disease.
• Maternal, child and adolescent health principles and practices.
• Methods of prevention of accidents and abuse and neglect of children, spouses and the elderly.
• County, state, welfare and social service agencies services and facilities.
• Financial support resources for health care services.

Skill in:

• Planning, assigning, directing and reviewing the work of others.
• Managing a complex caseload and establishing priorities for case management, treatment and referrals.
• Applying the principles of epidemiology to a wide range of social and health problems.
• Performing nursing assessments and selected diagnostic tests and giving prescribed treatments.
• Identifying community health needs through analysis of demographic and biostatistical data and information.
• Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Assessing normal and abnormal health and behavior, finding and developing effective treatment and referral plans.
• Communicating clear and accurate information regarding clients to physicians, health providers and other health members.
• Following up on recommended treatment plans to ensure effective resolution of health and related problems.
• Preparing clear, complete and accurate documentation, reports, and other written materials.
• Providing group and individual health care instruction.
• Assisting in the evaluation of public health nursing program effectiveness.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clients, public and private social and health agencies, physicians and the public.

Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid California driver's license.
• Must possess a valid license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of California, and a valid California State Public Health Nursing Certificate.

Desirable Education and Experience 

• A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is: Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university accredited by the National League for Nursing, with major coursework in nursing and two years of public health nursing experience

HOW TO APPLY

A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applicants must apply online through the County’s automated application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/humboldtcountyca. 

Applications must be submitted no later than the final filing date and time listed on the job flyer. 

It is important that your application shows all the relevant education and experience you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments. Incomplete applications will be rejected. 

Please read the job requirements section of the announcement.  Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process.  

Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible. 

 

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The County utilizes a set of rules to ensure that our hiring processes are fair and equitable.  Applications will be screened and those considered qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does it take to fill out the application?

• You should allow 30 – 45 minutes to fill out your application. 

Can I change my application after submitting it?

• No. Once an application has been submitted, it is final. Applicants may submit a new application with updated information during the filing period if they wish. Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will not be considered.

How long until I hear back from you and how can I check for updates on my application?

• You may receive communications regarding your application at different stages of the selection process. Important updates will be sent to the email address listed in your governmentjobs.com account at the time of notification. To ensure you don't miss any critical information, we recommend keeping your email address current and regularly checking both your inbox and junk mail folders throughout the process. You can also log into your governmentjobs.com account at any time to check your application status. If you have any questions about your application's progress, please contact the County of Humboldt Human Resources Personnel Division at 707-476-2349 or personnel@co.humboldt.ca.us.

Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview / Oral Exam?

• Yes, you will be informed via email if you are not selected for an interview / Oral Exam.

 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways – oftentimes, outside of formal institutions – and strives to take a holistic approach in assessing an applicant’s qualifications for a position. 

If you’re excited about this role but your past work experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.

 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access and opportunities in its programs, activities, and employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disabilities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. If invited to an examination and you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please contact Human Resources immediately at (707) 476-2349 so arrangements can be made.  

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The county is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. 

 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.

 

OTHER EXAMINATIONS

Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.

 

LICENSES

Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.

 

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.

 

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

It is the County’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States.  For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.

 

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

 

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.  THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.

Salary : $92,310 - $118,456