Public Health Nurse

About the role

The Public Health Nurse provides professional public health nursing services in a variety of community settings focusing on promoting health and wellness through education, advocacy, referrals, primary care, case management, and service coordination.

Our Public Health Nurses play a vital role in advancing health initiatives and programs throughout Ventura County aimed at protecting and promoting the health of individuals, families, and communities.

For more details on the various programs and services provided by Ventura County Public Health, please visit https://hca.venturacounty.gov/public-health/.

Responsibilities

• Provides public health nursing services in a variety of settings, such as homes, clinics, programs, and the community;
• Performs health assessments and intervention plans for population groups and geographical areas;
• Identifies and evaluates both systems and individuals, medical, psychosocial, and socio-economic barriers to optimal health and well-being and takes the appropriate steps to mitigate their impact;
• Collaborates with other agencies and community-based organizations on behalf of individual, family, and community health promotion;
• Recognizes multicultural practices and beliefs, and their impact on health behaviors;
• Develops, implements, and evaluates nursing care plans based on identified individual, family or community needs, strengths, and availability of resources;
• Refers individuals and families to community partners based on identified bio-psychosocial needs;
• Responds to public health emergencies and disasters as needed, utilizing the nursing skills authorized under their professional scope of practice;
• Travels to client homes, community events, and various work locations;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Possession of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN)
• Completion of a Public Health Nursing (PHN) program which meets the California Board of Registered Nursing requirements for certification as a Public Health Nurse
• Maintain a current, valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California
• Maintain a current, valid State of California Public Health Nurse Certificate
• Current, valid Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification by the first day of employment and maintain it thereafter
• Valid California driver's license by date of hire and maintain it thereafter

Qualifications

• Knowledge of: public health nursing theory and practices; basic nursing skills; community resources as they relate to public health nursing; and safe driving practices.
• Ability to: exercise independent judgment and plan, organize and carry out public health nursing activities; assist individuals and families with satisfactory solution of health problems; maintain nursing documentation and records; maintain confidentiality of patient/client information; operate/utilize specialized nursing equipment, tools and supplies relevant to the position; operate standard office equipment; utilize various software programs relevant to the position; analyze situations accurately and take effective actions; operate a motor vehicle; establish and maintain effective interpersonal relations with individuals, families and agencies; communicate effectively both orally and in writing.