Public Health Nurse - Senior

NOTE: This position is scheduled to receive a 2% wage increase effective November 14, 2015.

The Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health, is currently hiring for the permanent position of Public Health Nurse - Senior for the Tuberculosis (TB) Investigation and Control Program.  Nurses in this program consult and work closely with health care providers to ensure that active TB cases are identified and appropriately treated to prevent spread of TB in our community.

Some of the possible program assignments for Public Health Nurses are:

California Children’s Services (CCS) – A health coverage program that provides diagnosis and treatment services, medical case management, and PT/OT to children under age 21 with CCS-eligible conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, cerebral palsy, heart disease, cancer, and traumatic injuries.

Children’s Health & Disabilities Program (CHDP) – A preventive program for infants, children, and teens that provides complete health exams and immunizations for Medi-Cal eligible children. Nurses in this program provide care coordination to assist families with medical appointment scheduling, transportation, and access to diagnostic and treatment services.

Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC) – Nurses in this program provide expertise to child welfare service agencies and probation departments related to meeting medical, dental, mental, and developmental needs of children and youth in foster care.

Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) – Nurses in this program ensure requirements of the CA Penal Code are met through provision of forensic medical examinations for sexual assault victims, expert witness testimony, advocacy, prevention, outreach and education.

Communicable Disease (CD) Investigation and Control – Nurses in this program investigate individual reports of communicable disease, including rabies, food-borne illness, STDs, HIV testing and surveillance, vector-borne, vaccine preventable, and all other communicable diseases providers are mandated to report.  Staff ensure adequate treatment, take steps to control outbreaks in the community, develop prevention strategies, provide public and professional education and collaborate with organizations at the State and local level to minimize complications, prevent additional cases, and limit the spread of communicable diseases. Staff also follow up on DMV reports.

Immunization Program – Nurses in this program work to provide or ensure the availability of required vaccines to the general public; they identify target populations in need of immunizations and initiate action to improve immunization levels, including through special vaccination campaigns, outreach and education.

Home Visiting Program – Nurses in this program promote healthy living and optimal health for high-risk pregnant women and their families and high-risk individuals of all ages in the community through home visitation and case management services, including comprehensive assessments, development of care plans, referrals and linkages to additional services and resources, and client education.

Family Support Project – Partnership between Public Health and Sutter Roseville Medical Center (SRMC) to improve the health of infants born at SRMC through identification and referral of high risk mothers  and infants to appropriate community resources, including public health nursing home visitation and case management services.

Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program (CPSP) – A voluntary program that seeks to improve health of low-income pregnant women and to give their babies a healthy start in life by providing enhanced Medi-Cal reimbursements to CPSP-certified obstetrical providers who implement CPSP in their practices.

Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) – Nurses in this program work with community partners, through case review and community action, to address issues and factors that may affect fetal and infant mortality or morbidity.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – Nurses in this program focus on reducing the risk of sudden unexplained death of infants under age 1 through prevention education and outreach and promotion of safe sleep environments. Consultation and grief counseling are provided to families experienced SIDS.

Adolescent Family Life (AFLP) – An umbrella program that addresses the social, health, educational, and economic consequences of adolescent pregnancy through case management, prevention education, and positive youth development.

Cal-Learn – A program for pregnant and parenting teens receiving Cal WORKS cash aid, with case management directed toward reducing the rate of long-term family welfare dependency by helping ensure they earn a high school diploma and obtain job training and employment along with full-time school attendance.

Childhood Lead Poisoning  and Prevention Program (CLPPP) – Nurses in this program work to decrease the number of lead exposed individuals and families in the community.  They conduct source investigations and provide case management services when cases of elevated blood lead levels are identified.

Adult Protective Services (APS) – A 24-hour program mandated by the State that investigates allegations of harm to seniors and dependent adults who are reported to be endangered by physical, sexual, and financial abuse, isolation, neglect or self-neglect.

 

To perform public health nursing duties in an assigned program, project or district and/or conduct a specialized public health program or training; to instruct adults and children in accepted health practices including prevention and control of disease; and to exercise technical and functional supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff.

This is the advanced journey level class in the Public Health Nurse series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, by the amount of time spent performing the duties and by the nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including conducting specialized programs, managing cases of a difficult and complex nature and exercising technical and functional supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Receives general direction from a Supervising Public Health Nurse.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Train and lead subordinate staff in public health nursing activities, including specific program assignments.
• Plan, organize and provide health services, including:  epidemiologic investigation; control of communicable and chronic diseases; case finding; education; referral; and follow-up of persons at high risk of complication through pregnancy, child rearing, infancy and childhood and other high risk conditions.
• Supervise and participate in various clinics by referring and advising for further medical care under established policies and protocols.
• Identify and evaluate health needs of individuals and special population groups such as the elderly, culturally, economically or geographically disadvantaged and those choosing alternative life styles.
• Represent the Health and Medical Services Department to various community groups and provide information regarding Division Programs, services and policies, as well as instructional information about disease prevention, health promotion, treatment maintenance and rehabilitation.
• Initiate, implement and evaluate projects or programs; manage contracts with various service providers and agencies.
• Assist in preparation of grant proposals.
• Prepare and maintain patient charts and other records and prepare reports.
• May be in charge of a branch office or clinic.
• Coordinate with other divisions and sections within the Health and Medical Services Department as well as with private, public and voluntary health and social service agencies/providers in the community; participate in interagency conferences as needed.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.

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

Experience: Two years of responsible public health nursing experience performing duties similar to a Public Health Nurse II with Placer County.

Training: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in nursing. Incumbents in this classification who are assigned to a position allocated as Bilingual, requiring the use of a second language, will be required to be proficient in the verbal, written and interpretive skills of the specified language.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
• Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Health Nurse issued by the California State Department of Public Health.
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

 

Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public health nursing, including preventive medicine, epidemiology, public health education, gerontology and sociological problems involved in public health nursing.
• Federal, State and local statutes and regulations governing public health and nursing practices.
• Operation, policies and procedures of a large public health agency, especially as related to public health nursing.
• Procedures and practices used to promote maternal and child  health and to assess infant, child, adolescent development and other special programs.
• Principles and practices of public health program planning, including environmental, social, physical and psychological issues.
• Services and functions of other social and health agencies/providers relative to public health nursing.
• Principles and practices of work safety, especially as related to communicable diseases.
• Differing cultural, religious, economic and social groups and their relationships to the delivery and acceptance of health care services.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, patient charts reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time while reviewing patient charts and histories and preparing patient charts and reports; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb and reach while making field visits, conducting clinics or making educational presentations or demonstrations; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk or treatment areas; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see and hear with sufficient acuity to examine and assess patient conditions; and lift moderate weight.
• Train, assign, review and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
• Plan and direct a specialized public health nursing program.
• Manage complex cases requiring advanced public health nursing skills and knowledge.
• Identify and assess client settings for contributing conditions and/or causes of health or socially-related problems.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; and handle multiple case assignments; and work with interruptions.
• Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, facsimile machine and photocopy machine.
• Use clinical and instructional supplies and equipment, including blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, audiometer, syringes and needles and audio-visual equipment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

 

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

 

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for Professional bargaining unit

Tentative Recruitment Timeline for first applicant screening

11/2/2015 Minimum Qualifications Screening

11/3/2015 Conviction History Questionnaire Notice to be Sent

11/6/2015 Conviction History Questionnaire Responses Due

11/6/2015 Eligible List Established