What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Health Nurse I/II position at Shasta County?
ABOUT THE POSITION
Public Health Nurse I : Under close supervision, PHN performs public health nursing, teaching, and health guidance services in homes, clinics, and a wide variety of community settings in connection with the health promotion and the prevention and control of disease or disability in the older and vulnerable population. PHN participates in assessment of this population that leads to development and implementation of sound health policy that improves the health outcomes of adults who are at risk of being in out of home placement and have suffered abuse or neglect. PHN provides Medical Education including prevention of abuse, neglect, and violence throughout the age continuum; prevention of injuries; learning, teaching, interviewing, counseling, and problem solving; normal growth and development including the aging process; impact of nutrition at all age levels. PHN coordinates Care and provides Consultation with Adult Protective Services and In Home Supportive Services staff on cases.
Public Health Nurse II : Same as above, however this classification will work under general supervision.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Public Health Nurse I : This is an entry-level class for Registered Nurses who have recently been certificated as a Public Health Nurse or those who have been out of practice for a number of years. Incumbents apply the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities in learning to perform the full scope of public health nursing duties.
Public Health Nurse II : This is the journey and fully qualified professional level of the Public Health Nursing series in which incumbents have demonstrated competence to assume broad responsibilities requiring independence and professional judgment in assessing individual, family, and community health needs, and in planning and evaluating public health nursing activities.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Health & Human Services Agency of Shasta County is committed to providing fair and equal access to services. If you share this same commitment, desire a meaningful career serving the public, and want the opportunity to make a difference for your community, consider a career with us. We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion and actively seek and encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and characteristics. The ideal candidate will be able to make an immediate positive impact on external and internal customers. With a professional attitude and appearance, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a desire for serving those in need while promoting community health and well-being. This individual will be a positive contributor to the site culture and exemplify the agency values of Collaboration, Adaptability, Respect and Excellence. We welcome a candidate who is interested in a fast-paced, team-oriented, collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will be good with communication, multitasking, organizing and have the ability to maintain strong interpersonal skills.
Shasta County is looking for a dynamic Public Health Nurse to join the Adult Protective Services staff. The ideal candidate will be able to work autonomously and responsibly to help our clients become as independent as possible in managing their own health care and disease processes through health assessment and connecting clients with appropriate resources and education. The ideal candidate will be able to work with clients with disabilities, mental illness, dementia and aging issues. We are looking for employees who will help accomplish these important goals.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Public Health Nurse I
Elicits health and social histories of individuals and families through use of observation and effective interviewing skills; participates in the promotion of communicable disease prevention education; identifies health care needs through physical assessments; recognizes the significance of abnormal findings; helps individuals and groups change their health behavior through discussions that highlight their specific health knowledge, attitudes, and skills; provides case management services based on assessment of the comprehensive health needs of the individual and family; identifies cultural patterns influencing community health practices, increases access of hard-to-reach populations to public health and other services, and assists in increasing the cultural competency of staff and the Health and Human Services Agency as an organization; teaches and counsels individuals, families, and groups regarding specific diseases or health conditions as well as health maintenance; investigates and monitors cases of communicable disease, obtains specimens, interprets laboratory results, determines sources and contacts to prevent the spread of communicable disease; compiles and uses records, reports, and statistical information for appraisal and planning; attends required meetings and trainings; and performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Public Health Nurse II
Plans, organizes, and provides public health nursing services, including assessment, intervention, referral, and follow up of persons who have a communicable disease; assesses persons who have been exposed to a communicable disease to assure early detection and referral of health conditions deviating from normal; provides tailor-made personal, preventive, and community health services to targeted populations in need; teaches individuals and groups about disease and disability prevention, and health promotion; participates in epidemiological investigations for control of communicable and chronic diseases; interacts with all aspects of the community individual, family, agency, business, and professional; develops and implements community projects as an outgrowth of issues identified during public health nursing practice; mobilizes the community to develop partnerships and alliances to address identified high-priority community health needs; evaluates health of special population groups, such as the elderly, the culturally, economically, or geographically disadvantaged, or those with alternate life styles; identifies cultural patterns influencing community health practices, increases access of hard-to-reach populations to public health and other services, and increases the cultural competency of staff and the Health and Human Services Agency as an organization; keeps accurate, concise, and legally-appropriate records and reports; effectively uses records, reports, and statistical information for appraisal and planning; attends required meetings and trainings; with certified sexually transmitted disease (STD) training and supervision, may be assigned to perform STD exams, including moderate complexity laboratory tests; prioritizes multiple tasks, exercises effective time management, and manages workload and personal stress well; may assume delegated responsibility for the work of the Program Supervisor or the Program Manager in the absence of either; and may supervise a small number of other Department staff, interns, or volunteers.
QUALIFICATIONS
It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.
Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following :
Public Health Nurse I
Knowledge of : Skilled nursing as applied to public health practices; promoting health and the prevention of disease and disability; general nursing skills in the areas of maternal , child, and adult health; child growth and development; nutritional needs of all ages; normal and abnormal health conditions and health behavior; teaching, counseling, interviewing, and history taking; case management; epidemiology and methods for the control of communicable diseases; community resources and how to utilize them; environmental, sociological, cultural, policy, and psychological issues influencing health; current developments in public health nursing; ordinances, rules and regulations governing public health services and nursing practices; basic economics for delivery of health care; workload management and management of personal stress; and the work of other social and health agencies, and functions of other professions as related to public health nursing.
Ability to : Exercise independent judgment to plan, organize, and problem solve; manage time effectively; adapt to various cultural, physical and behavioral conditions of patients and environment; teach individuals and groups; seek and use appropriate resource materials; work effectively with individuals, families, groups, agencies, and coalitions to assist in the satisfactory solution of health problems; recognize and respect the impact of cultural differences on health behavior and practices; perform assessments, interviews, and gather needed information to reach appropriate nursing diagnosis; make appropriate referrals to community resources; provide adequate follow up to help maximize use of resources; perform clinical tasks such as venipuncture, injections, and dispensing medications; keep accurate, concise and legally appropriate records and reports; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with health and other professionals, paraprofessionals, agencies, community groups, and the general public; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and actively promote the Department’s mission and its population-based health outcomes orientation.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from an accredited program.
Public Health Nurse II
Knowledge of : Skilled nursing as applied to public health practice; control and prevention of communicable and chronic disease; maternal, child, adolescent, and adult health; prevention of abuse, neglect, and violence throughout the age continuum; prevention of injuries; learning, teaching, interviewing, counseling, and problem solving; normal growth and development including the aging process; impact of nutrition at all age levels; community resources and methods to mobilize and access them; case management; work of other social and health agencies, and functions of other professions as related to public health practice; literature and trends in public health nursing and the general field of public health as a whole; environmental, sociological, cultural, psychological, political and policy issues influencing health; and funding sources and cost of health care.
Ability to : Assess comprehensive health needs of children and adults; problem solve and case manage individuals or families with complex problems and health issues; identify and respect cultural patterns influencing health practices; facilitate access to resources; identify populations with specific health needs; monitor the accessibility and quality of community and personal health services in the community; advocate for needs of culturally, economically, or geographically disadvantaged persons; work effectively with individuals, department staff, families, community groups agencies, and coalitions in developing and implementing satisfactory solutions to health problems; apply principles of epidemiology to a wide range of social and health issues; apply principles of primary prevention to the prioritization, design, implementation and evaluation of community-based health programs; maintain confidentiality; communicate effectively orally and in writing; mentor other nursing personnel and train and direct the work of staff, interns, or volunteers; respond effectively to critical situations and emergencies; and actively promote the Department's mission and its population-based health outcomes orientation.
Minimum Qualifications
12 months of experience comparable to a Public Health Nurse Iin Shasta County.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
- Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing
- Possession of a valid California State Public Health Nursing (PHN) Certificate
- Possession of an appropriate California driver license
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Some positions may require adequate mobility to move very quickly in certain situations. And employee must operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES
Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 12 : 00 p.m., on February 28, 2025. A Resume and / or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and / or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and / or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered.
Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and / or written examination. Meeting the announced 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.
Veterans' Credit : Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran MUST provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) WITH THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL FILING DATE.
Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.
Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.
Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov / fair-chance-act.
SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Salary : $75,252 - $111,192