Public Health Nurse I/II (Extra Help Only)

About the role

Under direction, to provide public health nursing services to individual clients and the community at large in connection with the prevention and control of disease or adverse health conditions; and to perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Distinction characteristics

• Advancement from the I to the II level is at the discretion of the County Health Officer with recommendations from the Public Health Nursing Manager, provided that the following criteria are met: (1) the minimum qualifications requirements, (2) demonstration of the ability to independently perform the full scope of the assigned duties, and (3) assignment and performance of the duties of the experienced level as defined in the Distinguishing Characteristics of the Public Health Nurse II below.
• Public Health Nurse I is the entry-level of this professional series. It provides a full range of public health nursing services including clinic services; counseling and guidance; fieldwork in schools, homes, and community centers in connection with the prevention and control of disease or adverse health conditions; and the development of healthy lifestyles.
• Public Health Nurse II is the experienced level in the series. This classification differs from Public Health Nurse I in that incumbents at the II level are expected to perform the more difficult assignments with minimal supervision and review and may act in a lead capacity or assist in the training and supervision of subordinate staff.
• Public Health Nurse II differs from the Public Health Nursing Manager which is responsible for directing and coordinating public health nursing field activities and personnel.

Supervision received and exercised

• I – Receives close supervision from the Public Health Nursing Manager and/or the County Health Officer. May receive lead direction from the Public Health Nurse II. May exercise lead direction over paraprofessional and clerical staff.
• II – Receives general supervision from the Public Health Nursing Manager and/or the County Health Officer. May exercise technical and functional direction over other professional staff and paraprofessional staff, and exercises lead direction over clerical staff on a routine basis.

Examples of duties

• Provides public health nursing services to individual clients and the community at large, including clinical care, home visits, counseling, public health instruction, and education.
• Affords assistance in the promotion, development, maintenance, and staffing of maternal child adolescent health; immunization; child lead poisoning prevention; oral health; child health disability prevention; foster care; communicable disease; rabies prevention programs; family planning; substance abuse and mental health programs; and clinic services.
• Affords assistance in developing program policies and procedures; assists with in evaluating program effectiveness.
• Makes referrals to other agencies and/or providers as appropriate; affords assistance to clients in accessing health and community services as needed.
• Participates in epidemiological investigations in the home, school or community, identifying potential risks to the community, and implementing measures for disease containment.
• Prepares written educational materials for distribution to the community; locates, evaluates and distributes existing educational materials as appropriate.
• Works with physicians and community groups to keep, establish, and carry on work in the promotion of maternal and child health.
• Participates in conferences, task forces and meetings, and confers with public health administrators and others on community public health problems.
• Attends civic and other community meetings and events to explain and promote the activities and functions of the program and to establish favorable public relations; gives public speaking presentations as requested; prepares publicity materials for distribution; oversees and/or participates in community events as appropriate.
• Collaborates and/or participates in special programs and projects as assigned.
• Responds to and resolves citizen, client or community requests for assistance, complaints or inquiries.
• Coordinates assigned activities and programs with those of other departments, divisions and agencies as appropriate.
• Performs general administrative and clerical work as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, conducting and attending meetings, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, assembling materials, sending and receiving faxes, answering the telephone, compiling data for reports, preparing mailings, etc.

Minimum qualifications

• Public Health Nurse I: One year of experience as a Public Health Nurse is desirable.
• Public Health Nurse II: Two years of full-time equivalent experience as a Public Health Nurse with increasing assumption of administrative responsibilities. A Master's degree in nursing or public health can substitute for one year of the required experience.

Education

• (Both Public Health Nurse I and II): Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in nursing.

Additional requirements

• (Both Public Health Nurse I and II): Possession of a valid and current Registered Nurse license issued by the State of California.
• (For the Public Health Nurse I, if not certified, must obtain certification as a Public Health Nurse within one year of employment).
• Possession of a valid and current Public Health Nurse certificate issued by the State of California.
• Possession of a valid and current Health Care Provider CPR certification.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license.