Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant

Make a positive impact on the lives of individuals! The County of Sonoma’s Department of Health Services is seeking California-licensed candidates for their Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant position.

About the role

The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant plays a pivotal role in providing expert support and care to individuals in Sonoma County. They work closely with clients to assess, monitor, prescribe medications, and work collaboratively with other treatment providers to help create client treatment plans.

• Document client-related activities and collaborate with a cross-functional team to create interventions
• Order medications and labs using the Division’s electronic health records system (EHR)
• Provide crisis evaluation and intervention
• Assess a range of clients, including those who are in acute crisis

Requirements

As the ideal candidate to join our team, you bring your:

• Experience as an independent prescriber
• Ability to work in and navigate the dynamics of a community behavioral health setting
• Demonstrated expertise using motivational interviewing techniques and a harm-reduction approach with clients
• Capacity for engaging and evaluating clients who have co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Proven adeptness at collaborating with a multidisciplinary team

Minimum Qualifications

For a Nurse Practitioner:

Education: Normally, graduation from an approved school of Nursing and completion of a State approved Nurse Practitioner program that includes a clinical preceptorship.

Experience: Some experience in an acute care hospital, primary care health clinic, physician office, psychiatric facility, or outpatient services is highly desirable.

Licenses: Possession of a valid California license as a Registered Nurse and a certificate as a Nurse Practitioner issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing; some assignments may require a specialized certification. Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required, depending upon assignment, to perform the essential job functions of the position.

For assignments that include the ordering or furnishing of drugs:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of appointment, a current Furnishing Number issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of appointment, a current Department of Drug Enforcement number to order Schedule II, III, IV, V drugs.

For a Physician Assistant:

Education: Normally, graduation from an accredited primary care Physician’s Assistant program that includes a clinical preceptorship and training in all of the tasks listed so that proficiency can be demonstrated to the Board of Medical Quality Assurance, Division of Allied Health Professions.

Experience: Some experience in an acute care hospital, a primary care health clinic, physician office, psychiatric facility, or psychiatric office/clinic is highly desirable.

Licenses: Possession of a certificate or letter of approval to practice as a Physician’s Assistant issued by the California Board of Medical Examiners, or any other license or approval that may be required by law to practice as a Physician’s Assistant. Advanced cardiac life support certification issued by the American Heart Association is desired. Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required, depending upon assignment, to perform the essential job functions of the position.

For assignments that include the ordering or furnishing of drugs:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of appointment, a current Department of Drug Enforcement number to order Schedule II, III, IV, V drugs.

Skills

Thorough knowledge of: the methods, techniques and procedures used in health services; medical and behavioral health terminology, hospital routines, procedures, equipment and facilities.

Working knowledge of: the roles of various health personnel; common medical and behavioral conditions and the procedures involved in treatment and diagnosis of these conditions; the uses and affects of medicine and narcotics; various preventive and early diagnostic techniques; basic laboratory procedures; physiology of diseases, disabling conditions, mental illness and addiction; community and regulatory standards for the documentation of patient care; environmental, sociological, psychological and physical conditions relevant to advanced practice nursing; Federal, State and local laws and regulations governing nursing; uses and side effects of medications; comprehensive physical, behavioral and social assessment methodologies to identify physical illness, mental illness, and the physical and mental symptoms associated with abuse, neglect and addiction.

Ability to:

• Take complete and accurate physical and behavioral health assessments and examinations
• Compile complete and accurate medical, behavioral, and social histories of patients
• Diagnose common medical and behavioral health conditions
• Competently perform all of the therapeutic, laboratory and screening procedures listed under typical duties
• Follow established protocols set up by physicians
• Consult with physicians, nurse practitioners and other members of the staff and other agencies
• Observe and evaluate the patient’s emotional conditions
• Differentiate medical and surgical problems that require immediate consultation with the physician rather than a deferred consultation
• Determine abnormalities in laboratory test reports
• Provide health counseling and guidance to patients
• Safely administer medications
• Analyze and interpret findings resulting from histories taken, assessments and tests ordered and/or conducted
• Formulate appropriate treatment plans
• Work effectively with individuals and families to assist them in satisfactory resolution and/or management of medical, behavioral, and substance use disorders and conditions
• Teach physical and behavioral health care techniques to individuals and families
• Refer individuals as expediently as possible to appropriate resources
• Prepare and maintain clear, concise and complete records, reports and charts

Benefits

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to 600 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment

Pay

Starting salary up to $82.03/hour ($171,206/year) and a competitive total compensation package. Salary is negotiable within the established range.