Senior Public Health Nurse

Recruitments posted as "Continuous" are subject to close at any time (sometimes without warning) after an initial two-week posting period.  Upon closing, the applications received will be screened (generally within 48 hours) and notices will be sent to the applicants regarding the status of their application.  Once a continuous recruitment closes it will often be posted again immediately.  You will not be notified by HR regarding the status of your application until the recruitment you applied under closes.
 
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 in a variety of departments, service areas, and locations throughout the County, should they occur.  Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium.

Effective 7/1/2018 this classification will receive a 3% pay increase.

Under general supervision coordinates the activities of a specialized program of care, including developing program protocols, quality assurance and evaluating provision of client services. Provides comprehensive public health nursing services in the prevention, detection and control of diseases and the promotion of health in a variety of settings (community, homes, clinics, office and interagency meetings, etc.).

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Plan, develop, and evaluate countywide program implementation including developing and revising program policies and implementing state standards.
• Provide comprehensive public health nursing services to individuals and families; assist individuals and families in carrying out recommendations made by the health officer or their physician; assist individuals and families in recognizing their health/social problems and refers them to the appropriate resources for care.
• Participate in interagency meetings to identify service needs and community risks to collaborate on and identify resources or training that will improve program delivery.
• Participate in the operation of public health clinics (i.e., interviewing and counseling patients, performing diagnostic tests, giving prescribed treatment, maintaining the office, recording data and making necessary referrals).
• Provide case management for clients (i.e., confers with physicians and other professionals 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 patient advocate; conduct monthly face-to-face contacts and collaborate with schools, social services, law enforcement, and community health agencies.
• Provide guidance and leadership in the solution of problem cases encountered by nursing staff, paraprofessional health workers, and auxiliary staff.
• Conduct provider orientation programs, provides technical assistance and/or teaching presentations for physicians, public health nurses, school nurses, hospital staff, and other community agencies.
• Assist in preparing project and grant proposals, budgets, scopes-of-work, implementation plans, evaluations, reports, records and correspondence; assist in the development and implementation of program by developing budgets, writing grant proposals, compiling statistics and consulting with funding agencies on program planning.
• Provide guidance/leadership and expertise in epidemiologic investigations in home, school or community.
• Document all contacts with clients; complete required assessment reports and computer reports, time studies and billing sheets associated with client activities and visit billing; provide expert witness testimony in court when required or by subpoena.
• Attend and lead 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 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 year experience as a Public Health Nurse II with Mendocino County; or three years of health nursing experience with at least one year in a public agency; or, when possessing required license/s a combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Driver's License
California Registered Nurse
California Public Health Nurse

Knowledge of:

• The principles of public health and human services.
• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Nursing process including assessment, nursing diagnosis, identification of client needs, planning and development of individual service plans, implementation and evaluation.
• Perinatal, infant, child, and adolescent growth and development, nutritional needs, immunization, sexually transmitted diseases, education, social services and other support services.
• Causes, control, and care of chronic and communicable diseases and illnesses, handicapping conditions, mental illness and other disabling conditions.
• Environmental, sociological, and psychological problems encountered when working with families where a member has a chronic and/or communicable disease.
• Administration of immunizations and tests and their possible side effects and complications.
• Evaluative and screening tests for development, growth and function of clients.
• Principles of teaching and learning.
• Basic public health nursing and health maintenance education.
• Community resources related to public health nursing.

• Planning, developing, implementing and evaluating program including developing and revising program policies and implementing state standards.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines and follow up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Counseling and assessing client risks.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Handling difficult clients and dangerous situations.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Utilizing computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Write clear and concise narrative reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Recognize and appropriately act in response to normal and abnormal behavior patterns.
• Recognize and act appropriately in response to indications of child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, substance use and abuse.
• Communicate effectively with people from a variety of 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 essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to discriminate between colors, and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to regularly speak and listen.

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.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer