Senior Public Health Nurse

DEFINITION

SENIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

Department of Health & Human Services

Are you interested in making a difference? If so, please consider joining our dedicated team at the Department of Health & Human Services! This position is embedded within Children and Family Services- and works closely with the Emergency Response Unit, as well as the Foster Care Nursing Unit. The position requires an understanding of nursing knowledge in the following areas: Pregnant, postpartum, substance use disorders, high risk infants, failure to thrive, and standards for care of infants and children in accordance to the Academy of Pediatrics. This position is expected to be in the field supporting the investigation as well as working in office completing reports.

What You'll Do:

This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including;

• Provides nursing expertise for pregnant women, infants, and children as it pertains to abuse and neglect investigations.

• Provides verbal and written consultation with social work staff pertaining to high-risk cases.

• Will respond to field investigations with social work staff.

• Provides leadership as point of contact for the Children and Family Services Team when the Supervising PHN is out of office.

Where You'll Do It:

This position is located in Eureka, CA

A typical work schedule for this position is M-F; 8-5.

DEFINITION

Under direction, performs public health nursing duties in an assigned area and one or a combination of the following: serves as assistant supervisor for a team which includes other nurses and may also include para-professionals and/or office staff; and/or has charge of a specialized health care program; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class provides public health nursing services for the more complex client cases, provides review, directional supervision for the work of professional nursing and para-professional staff on an assigned team and/or may have independent responsibility for a major specialized public health program. This class is distinguished from the Supervising Public Health Nurse in that the latter has primary, supervisory responsibility for a public health nursing team and assigned specialized projects and programs.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Acts as the team leader on a health team with other professionals and para-professionals in the delivery of public health nursing services.

• Assigns client cases and assists in evaluation of team staff.

• Provides consultation and guidance to team members on difficult client problems; assists in the training and orientation of staff.

• Evaluates the health needs of individuals and special population groups from a wide variety of cultural and economic backgrounds, recent immigrant populations and those choosing alternate lifestyles.

• Identifies the symptoms of physical, mental or emotional problems and refers individuals and families to appropriate financial, medical or other support services; performs followup on such referrals.

• Coordinates division services with private, public and community voluntary health and social service agencies; serves as liaison to community groups, assists them in identifying health needs, and provides public health education.

• Gives immunizations and conducts immunization clinics; performs selected diagnostic tests under standardized procedures and gives prescribed treatments.

• Provides prenatal and post-partum nursing care and participates in well-child clinics asassigned.

• May serve as primary staff in communicable disease clinics or assists in other clinics.

• May conduct a specialized health care or training program or project; assists in planning and development of programs and preparation of funding proposals.

• Monitors and evaluates programs, projects and special services; prepares a variety of periodic and special reports for appropriate management review.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Basic supervisory principles and practices.

• Principles, practices and current trends of public health nursing and the California Nurse Practice Act rules and regulations and applicable state and local codes.

• Principles of nutrition and its effect on varying age groups.

• Pathophysiology of the major causes of illness and handicapping conditions.

• Normal growth and development including the aging process.

• Demographic, biostatistical and data collection methods utilized in evaluating public health needs and problems.

• Principles and practices of public health education and teaching.

• Principles, practices and methods of control and prevention of communicable and chronic disease.

• Maternal, child and adolescent health principles and practices.

• Methods of prevention of accidents and abuse and neglect of children, spouses and the elderly.

• County, state, welfare and social service agencies services and facilities.

• Financial support resources for health care services.

Skill in:

• Planning, assigning, directing and reviewing the work of others.

• Managing a complex caseload and establishing priorities for case management, treatment and referrals.

• Applying the principles of epidemiology to a wide range of social and health problems.

• Performing nursing assessments and selected diagnostic tests and giving prescribed treatments.

• Identifying community health needs through analysis of demographic and biostatistical data and information.

• Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines.

• Assessing normal and abnormal health and behavior, finding and developing effective treatment and referral plans.

• Communicating clear and accurate information regarding clients to physicians, health providers and other health members.

• Following up on recommended treatment plans to ensure effective resolution of health and related problems.

• Preparing clear, complete and accurate documentation, reports, and other written materials.

• Providing group and individual health care instruction.

• Assisting in the evaluation of public health nursing program effectiveness.

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clients, public and private social and health agencies, physicians and the public.

Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid California driver's license.

• Must possess a valid license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of California, and a valid California State Public Health Nursing Certificate.

Desirable Education and Experience

• A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is: Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university accredited by the National League for Nursing, with major coursework in nursing and two years of public health nursing experience

WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMPLOYEE PERKS

For more information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage: https://humboldtgov.org/2492/Employee-Benefits.

For more details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer: https://humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/115226/Employee-Perks-Flyer-.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does it take to fill out the application?

• You should allow 30 - 45 minutes to fill out your application.

Can I change my application after submitting it?

• You may only submit one application per day.

• You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.

• Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will be archived.

How long until I hear back from you?

• You can expect to hear back from Human Resources about 3 - 4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.

How can I check for updates on my application?

• You can log into your Government Jobs account and review current information regarding any application you have submitted.

Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview?

• Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.

The County of Humboldt's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways - oftentimes, outside of formal institutions - and strives to take a holistic approach to in assessing an applicant's qualifications for a position.

If you're excited about this role but your past work experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applications must be submitted online through the County's automated application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/humboldtcountyca no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by both Human Resources staff and may be screened by additional subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.

It is important that your application shows all the relevant experience and education you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments.

Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.

CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAM

Employees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the County or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.

• Tier I - Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55
• Tier II - Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55
• Tier III - Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62

If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you'd be in Tier III.

• 2.0 means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that's called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.

• If you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The County runs its hiring on a set of rules to ensure that it is fair. Hiring and promotion are based on performance and having the best qualifications for the job. "Examination" doesn't always mean taking a test, sometimes it just means how we compare your application to others who have applied, and an "oral examination" means a scored and structured interview.

POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The County of Humboldt does not discriminate based on mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination to request an accommodation.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.

OTHER EXAMINATIONS

Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.

LICENSES

Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver's license.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

It is the County's intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.