Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Registered Nurse IV (PHN Certification)

Recruitment #15-5320-01

Introduction

  --- PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN ---        

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXISTING EXAMINATION.  IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY APPLIED FOR THE REGISTERED NURSE IV (PHN CERTIFICATION) (15-5320-01) READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REAPPLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.    

The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you are currently on the list and you choose to reapply you will forfeit your current rank and score. Your new score/disposition will replace your current score and rank. In order to reapply for this position, please contact the examination analyst at shelisa.jackson@acgov.org to have your previous application released back to you.  

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will be merged with the scores from the previous list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.   The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Postmarks are not accepted.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Postmarks are not accepted.  Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

DESCRIPTION

THE AGENCY/DEPARTMENT

 

HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY
Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced licensed professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well being of Alameda County residents.

 

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT (PHD)  

Alameda County Public Health Department has worked for over 80 years to improve the health and safety of its residents and the neighborhoods they live in. Traditional public health concerns such as disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and access to health care have been joined by contemporary concerns: bioterrorism, crime, violence, and substance abuse. Each of these poses a threat to public health and wellness. And each calls for short and long-term solutions that lie well outside traditional public health boundaries.

THE POSITION
Registered Nurse IVs under general supervision, to direct, coordinate and supervise the nursing and other health care services of a program; to supervise a multidisciplinary team including professional, para-professional and support staff; to provide nursing services; and to do related work as required.

VACANCIES

There are currently three Registered Nurse IV vacancies within the Alameda County Public Health Department.  Each of the positions are Supervising Public Health Nurses (PHNs) in the California Children's Services, Field Nursing and Acute Communicable Disease programs.

 

California Children's Services (CCS) - CCS is a statewide program that provides medical case management and care coordination to low-income children under 21 years of age with chronic and disabling medical conditions. CCS can help arrange and pay for hospital stays and doctor visits, medical equipment, medication, and other services.  CCS of Alameda County’s vision is to be a leader providing culturally sensitive comprehensive health care case management and exceptional occupational and physical therapy services to the clients we serve. We ensure health care equity among children and youth with special health care needs. We help families access appropriate and timely care to maximize health outcomes. All families will be empowered to effectively advocate for their child/youth, navigate changing health care systems, and utilize our vast network of partnerships with community providers and agencies.

Field Nursing - The Supervising Public Health Nurse (RN IV) will oversee the work of generalist public health nurses within our north county field services unit who perform a variety of activities, such as providing case management and care coordination services to low income residents - single adults, families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, in addition to conducting immunization clinics, assisting with communicable disease surveillance and response, performing health screenings at health fairs/community events, and conducting jail inspections.

Acute Communicable Disease (ACD) Unit – The ACD Unit is under the direction of the Division of Communicable Disease Control & Prevention of the Public Health Department and is based in Oakland.  The ACD Unit is responsible for the surveillance, investigation, and control of cases, contacts, and outbreaks of over 75 reportable communicable diseases: all reportable communicable diseases except for HIV, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. The ACD Unit is supported by a multidisciplinary staff, including certified public health nurses, a public health investigator, physicians, an epidemiologist and a specialist clerk.  Program activities include interviewing clients with reportable diseases, as well as their family members and health care providers, to collect clinical and risk factor information and to identify potentially exposed contacts.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications below, the ideal candidate will be a skilled Registered Nurse with professional nursing experience involving planning, implementation and evaluation of health services through collaboration and partnership with a diverse group of stakeholder agencies as well as analysis and development of activities and tools to maintain and encourage new partnerships, increase community awareness and to maintain the program effectiveness. The candidate will also be a pro-active, self-motivated and committed individual who can work in a fast paced, and sometimes spontaneous, environment and can consistently deliver work plans and program deliverables on a timely basis with experience working with diverse, underserved populations and programmatic reporting responsibilities to various stakeholders including state and national agencies. 

Critical attributes to the success of the Registered Nurse IV (PHN) include:

  • Being familiar with the use of diagnostic laboratory tests for acute communicable diseases such as cultures, serologic tests, viral loads, and nucleic acid amplification tests
  • Experience in Public Health Nursing and able to train staff to meet division and programmatic objectives and outcomes, which may include conducting communicable disease investigations, specimen collection, and administration of post-exposure prophylaxis in field settings
  • Experienced problem solver and decision maker who formulates a plan of action that is consistent with state and national public health guidelines and California regulations relating to Public Health and who continues to think logically, take initiative and react calmly to urgent situations under pressure
  • Proactive performance manager who coaches team members by providing direction, timely guidance, and regular feedback to help them reach optimal performance
  • Exceptional organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently and in a timely manner
  • Effective communicator who presents technical and policy information in clearly-written documents and oral presentations
  • Team-builder who is able to develop and maintain effective relationships with others; and who relates well to people of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds
  • Systems-thinker who evaluates the effectiveness of program activities and interventions to improve community health; and has used quality improvement methods such as plan-to-do-check act to strengthen programs

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from a recognized four-year college or university (180 quarter-units or semester 120 units).

And Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time, recent experience within the last five years as a Registered Nurse III in Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney's Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of three years of full-time, recent experience within the last five years as a Registered Nurse II in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney's Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or III

The equivalent of four years of full-time, recent nursing experience within the last five years in a clinical and/or public health setting, which has included at least one year of full-time lead/supervisory experience.

Substitution:

Master's Degree in Nursing or closely related field from an accredited school may be substituted for one year of experience.

License/Certificate:
Possession of a current and valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of California.
Some positions may require possession of a current and valid Public Health Nursing (PHN) Certificate issued by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing.
Some positions may require a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Special Requirements:

1. In compliance with the Administrative Simplification provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), employees in this classification are required to possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number prior to their first day on the job.

2. In Compliance with Medicare regulations, employees in this classification are required to complete the "Medicare Enrollment Process for Physicians and non-Physician Practitioners" through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, prior to their first day on the job. Active enrollment in Medicare is a condition of employment. Failure to attain or maintain active enrollment will result in termination.


NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

· Wellness to illness continuum, including major disease processes to evaluate the condition of clients or community.
· Nursing Practice Act rules and regulations and other related health care disciplines and procedures.
· Local, state and federal regulations as it relates to public health nursing.
· Theories, principles, procedures, techniques, standards and practices of public health nursing.
· Quality assurance and quality improvement indicators.
· Principles and processes of personnel management which include leadership, supervision, performance evaluations, counseling, and coaching staff.
· Principles and practices of effective organization, management, monitoring, and quality assurance.
· Interviewing, assessment, counseling and teaching techniques.
· Health systems, institutions and community resources and referral systems.
· Safety and infection control principles, practices and methods.
· Complex health care systems and techniques of collaboration.
· Cultural, environmental, sociological and psychological differences and problems encountered in public health nursing.
· Medical terminology and documentation.

Ability to:

· Plan, organize, prioritize and implement.
· Analyze and problem solve.
· Assess the health status and concerns of clients and communities.
· Evaluate the effectiveness of program services and nursing interventions.
· Exercise interpersonal sensitivity to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients, other agencies and the public.
· Communicate through writing and oral communication.
· Maintain confidentiality.
· Supervise staff and program operations.
· Exercise independent judgment within the scope of authority and practice.
· Prepare, analyze and monitor program budget and other data.
· Organize and present reports.
· Utilize basic modern office equipment and technology related to work.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF the following steps:

1)  A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.

2)  A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. Only the most suitably qualified candidates will move forward in the exam process.

3)  An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises. 

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION. 

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work. To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

Deadline for Filing:

Friday, January 15, 2016

Review of Applications for Minimum Qualifications:

TBD

Review of Supplemental Questionnaires for Best Qualified

TBD

Oral Interviews

TBD

*WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN*

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

  • Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
  • Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
  • Vision
  • Basic Life Insurance 
  • Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
  • County Allowance (Employer Credit)
  • Health Flexible Spending Account
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

  • Short-term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

  • 11 paid holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Management Paid Leave**
  • Group Auto/Home Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Group Legal
  • Guaranteed Ride Home
  • Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
  • Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
  • Child Care Resources
  • 1st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Shelisa Jackson, Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
shelisa.jackson@acgov.org
510-208-3954
www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer