Public Health Nurse

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium.

• Provide comprehensive health services across the continuum of care, including medically fragile populations throughout the life span under the direction of the health officer, professional nurse, or health care provider. Services may include assessment of psychosocial, physical, developmental, spiritual, and emotional needs.
• Provide case management for clients i.e., confer with health care providers concerning the condition and treatment of clients, coordinate services with other social and/or health agencies, and make referrals when appropriate/necessary; determine eligibility for ongoing medical services; participate in medical case conferences to coordinate medical service needs and program benefits;  participate in client medical appointments or clinic visits for coordination of care and to act as client advocate; conduct monthly face-to-face contacts and collaborate with schools, social services, law enforcement, and community health agencies.
• Participate in the operation of health clinics (i.e., interviewing and counseling clients, performing diagnostic tests, giving prescribed treatment, maintaining the office, recording data, and making necessary referrals).
• Educate and counsel individuals and families regarding specific diseases or health conditions as well as health maintenance; promote rehabilitation.
• Provide guidance and leadership in the solution of problem cases encountered by nursing staff, paraprofessional health workers, and auxiliary staff.
• Conduct provider orientation programs and/or teaching presentations for health care providers, public health nurses, school nurses, hospital staff, and other community agencies.
• Assist in preparing reports, records, and correspondence; compile statistics and consult with funding agencies on program planning.
• Provide guidance/leadership along with expertise in epidemiologic investigations in home, school, or community.
• Document all contacts with clients; complete required assessment reports, electronic reports, time studies, and billing sheets associated with client activities and visit billing; may provide expert witness testimony in court when required or by subpoena.
• Participate in interagency meetings to identify service needs and collaborate on identifying resources; participate in various training programs and workshops to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Attend staff meetings for program update, planning, and case conferencing.
• Maintain and enhance knowledge of public health concerns through attendance at workshops, meetings, specialty clinics, protocols, journals, and classes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
 
Education and Experience:
 Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited four-year college or university; and one (1) year of professional-level nursing experience; or, when also possessing required license and certification, a combination of related education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
 
Licenses and Certifications:
 Valid Driver's License
Valid California Registered Nurse
Valid California Public Health Nurse
Current Basic Life Support Course Completion Card issued by the American Heart Association, or equivalent

• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Principles of public health and human services.
• Human development across the life span.
• Nursing process including assessment, nursing diagnosis, identification of client needs, planning and development of individual service plans, implementation and evaluation.
• Perinatal, infant, child, adolescent and adult growth and development, nutritional needs, immunization, communicable diseases, education, social services, and other support services.
• Adult/Child abuse and neglect.
• Causes, control, and care of chronic and communicable diseases and illnesses, handicapping conditions, behavioral health, and other disabling conditions.
• Environmental, sociological, and psychological problems encountered when working with families where a member has a chronic and/or communicable disease.
• Evaluative and screening tests for development, growth and function of clients.
• Child growth and development and procedures involved in promoting maternal and child health, breast feeding and nutrition.
• Principles of behavioral health (i.e., normal and abnormal behavior patterns).
• Administration of immunizations and their possible side effects and complications.
• Principles of teaching and learning.
• Basic public health nursing and health maintenance education.
• Community resources related to the core functions of public health nursing.
• Standards of the Privacy Act of 1974, (U.S.C. §552A) as amended; maintains and enforces all aspects of confidentiality of client information.
• Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in health and health care.

• Developing and revising program policies and implementing state standards.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Writing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Training staff in area of assignment.
• Providing counseling and risk assessment.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Managing difficult clients and dangerous situations.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Utilizing computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.

• Recognize and appropriately act in response to normal and abnormal behavior patterns.
• Recognize and act appropriately in response to indications of abuse and neglect across the lifespan, domestic violence, and substance use and abuse.
• Communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others, observing proper safety precautions and procedures.
• Read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to regularly speak and listen.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to discriminate between colors, and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent may infrequently be required to push, pull, move, or lift below the neck, objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply. 
• You must complete all sections of the application.  A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application.  Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application. 
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character. 
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards.  Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list. 

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.  In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600.  Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.   

Salary : $92,040 - $111,883