Public Health Nurse I - IV

You must possess a Certificate as a Public Health Nurse issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing, or your application will not be accepted. 

THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME AND WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED. 

DEFINITION

I Under close supervision, to provide public health nursing services including the prevention and control of diseases, health education, and the promotion of health awareness; and to do related work as required.  

II Under supervision, to plan and conduct a variety of public health nursing clinics and services; to provide nursing services, health education, and health consulting services, including the prevention and control of diseases and the promotion of health awareness; and to do related work as required. 

 III Under direction, to provide lead direction and work coordination for other professional nursing and support staff; to plan and conduct a variety of public health nursing clinics and services; to provide complex, specialized, and general nursing, health education, and health consulting services, including the prevention and control of diseases and the promotion of health awareness; and to do related work as required.   

IV Under general direction, to provide the most complex, specialized, and general nursing, health education, and health consulting services, including the prevention and control of diseases and the promotion of health awareness; to provide lead direction and work coordination for other professional nursing and support staff; to plan and conduct a variety of public health nursing clinics and services; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

I 

This is the entry and first working level in the Public Health Nurse class series. Incumbents must have requisite public health nursing certification, but have limited public health nursing work experience. As experience is gained, incumbents learn to perform the full scope of public health nursing duties. This class is distinguished from Public Health Nurse II in that the II's have responsibility for more independently performing a larger scope of public health nursing duties and activities. When a Public Health Nurse I incumbent becomes familiar with the Department and demonstrates good sustained work performance, they may be promoted to the Public Health Nurse II.  

II 

This is the first journey level in the Public Health Nurse class series. Incumbents perform a wide scope of public health nursing duties. This class is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse I in that incumbents are expected to perform on a more independent basis. It is distinguished from Public Health Nurse III and IV in that Public Health Nurse III and IV incumbents perform more complex, specialized assignments, as well as provide lead direction, work coordination, and training for other professional nursing and support staff.   

III 

This is an advanced journey level and a lead class in the Public Health Nurse class series. Incumbents provide the more complex public health nursing services in a specialized public health program, as well as provide lead direction and coordination for other professional nursing staff. This class is distinguished from Public Health Nurse II by assignment of a higher level of public health program responsibilities and the performance of lead responsibilities for other professional nursing staff. It is distinguished from Public Health Nurse IV in that Public Health Nurse IV incumbents perform more complex, specialized assignments. Both levels III and IV may provide lead direction, some work coordination, and training for other professional nursing and support staff.  

IV 

This is the advanced and highest level and a lead class in the Public Health Nurse class series. Incumbents provide the most complex public health nursing services in a specialized public health program, as well as provide lead direction and coordination for other professional nursing staff. This class is distinguished from Public Health Nurse III by assignment of a higher level of public health program responsibilities. Both levels III and IV may provide lead direction, some work coordination, and training for other professional nursing and support staff.

REPORTS TO

Director of Health, Director of Nursing Services, Supervising Public Health Nurse, or designee

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

I/II
 This is not a supervisory class.
 
 III
 Provides lead direction and may provide work coordination for Public Health Nurse I, II.
 
 IV
 Provides lead direction and may provide work coordination for Public Health Nurse I, II, III. 

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sit and stand for extended periods; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 50 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of medical and office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.


TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in clinical, office, and home environments; exposure to communicable diseases and blood borne pathogens; continuous contact with other staff and the public. Incumbents are expected to follow universal precautions. Incumbents may be required to drive to remote areas of the County in all weather conditions(The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)

I
Learns to plan, organize, and provide public health nursing services, health instruction and counseling, and guidance for individuals, families, and groups regarding disease control, health awareness, health maintenance, and rehabilitation in a clinic setting
May learn the procedures and policies and work within a special program such as California Children Services
Provides referrals
Teaches and demonstrates health practices to individuals and groups
Learns to instruct clients in family planning, sexually transmitted disease prevention and follow-up, and immunization procedures
Learns to identify individual and family problems which are detrimental to good health
Works with families to alleviate health problems and promote good health habits
Learns to refer and coordinate care of individuals and families with other public and private agencies
Learns to identify special health needs for assigned cases, recommending and implementing services to meet needs
Assists individuals and families with implementing
Physician recommendations
Learns to plan, direct, and perform epidemiological investigations in homes, schools, community, and public health clinics
Prepares appropriate health records and arranges follow-up services, based on findings
Confers with physicians, nursing staff, and other personnel regarding public health programs, patient reports, evaluations, medical tests, and related items
May work with community groups in identifying and developing public health services and improving existing public health services
Prepares reports and documents health findings;
Compiles statistical information for appraisal and planning purposes.
Other duties as assigned

II 

Plans, organizes and provides public health nursing services, health instruction, counseling, and guidance for individuals, families, and groups regarding disease control, health awareness, health maintenance, and rehabilitation in a clinic setting 

May work within a special program such as Maternal and Child Care, Community Health, or California Children Services identifying and interacting with local care providers 

Develops plans and direct resources consistent to programs goals and objectives 

Provides referrals Teaches and demonstrates health practices to individuals and groups Instructs clients in family planning, sexually transmitted disease prevention and follow-up, and immunization procedures 

Identifies individual and family problems which are detrimental to good health 

May make home visits to assess individual's progress 

Works with the families to alleviate health problems and promote good health habits 

Refers and coordinates the care of individuals and families with other public and private agencies 

Identifies special health needs for assigned cases, recommending and implementing services to meet those needs 

Assists individuals and families with implementing physician recommendations 

May plan, direct, and perform epidemiological investigations in homes, schools, the community, and public health clinics 

Prepares appropriate records and case documentation, arranging follow-up services based on findings 

Confers with physicians, nursing staff, and other staff regarding public health programs, patient reports, evaluations, medical tests, and related items; may consult in multidisciplinary teams for the purpose of creating a plan of service for "at risk" families 

Works with community groups in identifying public health needs, developing needed public health services, and improving existing public health services 

Prepares reports and maintains records 

Compiles statistical information for appraisal and planning purposes. 

Other duties as assigned   

III 

Investigates outbreaks of communicable diseases; plans and implements programs for the prevention and control of communicable disease, including tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, and AIDS 

Develops procedures to control the spread of communicable diseases and identify people needing public health services 

Provides interpretations of public health laws and regulations for others 

Assesses individuals and families, using health histories, observations of physical condition, and a variety of evaluative methods to identify health problems, health deficiencies, and health service needs Identifies psycho/social, cultural background, and environmental factors which may hinder health care services 

Assists with determining funding needs for the program 

Monitors budget expenditures 

Plans and coordinates services for special programs such as perinatal, maternal, child and adolescent (MCAH), or family planning 

Performs public health nursing activities to promote perinatal, child, and adolescent health 

Provides local case management and coordination for State mandated programs 

Participates in programs to enhance school children health 

Works with community groups to identify needs, develop and facilitate a variety of health services, and improve existing programs 

Refers individuals and families to appropriate agencies and clinics for health services

Participates in programs to enhance community health services and education 

Attends conferences and workshops related to community health issues 

Assists with the preparation of program and service policies and procedures 

May supervise paraprofessional staff and volunteers 

Prepares reports and maintains records Complies statistical information for appraisal and planning purposes 

Performs a wide scope of complex professional public health nursing services 

Provides lead direction, training and work coordination for other professional nurses. 

Other duties as assigned.   

IV 

Investigates outbreaks of communicable diseases; plans and implements programs for the prevention and control of communicable disease, including tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, and AIDS 

Develops procedures to control the spread of communicable diseases and identify people needing public health services 

Provides interpretations of public health laws and regulations for others 

Assesses individuals and families, using health histories, observations of physical condition, and a variety of evaluative methods to identify health problems, health deficiencies, and health service needs Identifies psycho/social, cultural background, and environmental factors which may hinder health care services 

Assists with determining funding needs for the program 

Monitors budget expenditures 

Plans and coordinates services for special programs such as perinatal, maternal, child and adolescent (MCAH), or family planning Performs public health nursing activities to promote perinatal, child, and adolescent health 

Provides local case management and coordination for State mandated programs 

Participates in programs to enhance school children health Works with community groups to identify needs, develop and facilitate a variety of health services, and improve existing programs 

Refers individuals and families to appropriate agencies and clinics for health services 

Participates in programs to enhance community health services and education; attends conferences and workshops related to community health issues; Assists with the preparation of program and service policies and procedures; 

May supervise paraprofessional staff and volunteers; prepares reports and maintains records; 

Complies statistical information for appraisal and planning purposes; 

Performs a wide scope of complex professional public health nursing services; 

Provides lead direction, training and work coordination for other professional nurses. 

Other duties as assigned.

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
 
 Completion of sufficient education and experience to meet State of California certification requirements.
 
 I
 Some nursing experience in a public health setting is highly desirable.
 
 II
 One year of public health nursing experience comparable to a Public Health Nurse I with San Benito County. 
 
 III
 One year of public health nursing experience comparable to a Public Health Nurse II with San Benito County 
 
 IV
 One year of public health nursing experience comparable to a Public Health Nurse III with San Benito County. 
 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

I-V
Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse in California

Possession of a Certificate as a Public Health Nurse issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.Knowledge of:

Principles, methods, practices, and current trends of general/public health nursing.
Community aspects of public health nursing including community resources and demography.
Federal, State, and local laws and regulations governing communicable disease, public health, and disabling conditions.
Environmental, sociological, and psychological problems related to public health nursing programs.
Child growth and development.
Causes, means of transmission, and methods of control of communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, and tuberculosis.
Methods of promoting child and maternal health and public health.
Principles of public health education.

Ability to:

I
Learn to organize and carry out public health nursing activities in an assigned program.
Develop and maintain public relations with clients, staff, community groups, and other government organizations.
Collect, analyze, and interpret technical, statistical and health data.
Analyze and evaluate health problems and take appropriate action.
Provide instruction in the prevention of diseases.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Develop and maintain health records and prepare clear and concise reports.
Deal tactfully and courteously with the public, community organizations and other government agencies when explaining public health issues and providing public health services.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
Effectively represent the Nursing Division in contacts with public, other county staff and other government agencies.

II
Plan, organize, and carry out public health nursing activities in an assigned program.
 Develop and maintain public relations with clients, staff, community groups, and other government organizations.
 Analyze and evaluate health problems and take appropriate action.
 Provide instruction in the prevention of diseases.
 Develop and maintain health records and prepare clear and concise reports.
 Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
 Deal tactfully and courteously with the public, community organizations, and other staff when explaining public health issues and providing public health services.
 Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. 
 
III
Plan, organize, and carry out public health nursing activities and services for an assigned service area or program.
 Develop and maintain public relations with clients, staff, community groups and other government organizations.
 Collect, analyze and interpret technical, statistical and health data.
 Analyze and evaluate health problems and take appropriate action.
 Provide work direction and coordination for other staff.
 Provide instruction in the prevention and control of diseases.
 Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
 Develop and maintain health records and prepare clear and concise reports.
 Deal tactfully and courteously with the public, community organizations, and other staff when explaining public health issues and providing public health services.
 Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. 
 
IV
Plan, organize, and carry out public health nursing activities and services for an assigned service area or program.
 Develop and maintain public relations with clients, staff, community groups and other government organizations.
 Collect, analyze and interpret technical, statistical and health data.
 Analyze and evaluate health problems and take appropriate action.
 Provide work direction and coordination for other staff.
 Provide instruction in the prevention and control of diseases.

Selection Process: All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list. 

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all County of San Benito employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.   

Salary : $73,423 - $121,430