Placer County

To perform public health nursing duties in an assigned program, project, or district; to perform field and clinic nursing services; and to instruct adults and children in accepted health practices, including prevention and control of disease.

Public Health Nurse - I 
This is the entry level class in the Public Health Nurse series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgement on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Public Health Nurse - II 
This is the full journey level class within the Public Health Nurse series.  This class is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse - I by the assignment of the full range of duties assigned.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and they are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse - Senior in that the latter oversees specialized public health program(s) requiring a high level of professional skill and independent judgment, manages cases of a difficult and complex nature, and provides technical and functional assistance to professional, technical, clinical, and clerical staff.

Public Health Nurse - I
Receives immediate supervision from supervisory/management staff and may receive technical and functional supervision from other professional or medical staff.

Public Health Nurse - II
Receives direction from a supervisory/management staff and may receive technical and functional supervision from other professional or medical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Make home or other field site visits as assigned to provide families and/or individuals with health supervision and guidance; identify and assess health needs and provide advice, counsel, and instruction related to health maintenance and promotion, preventive practices, treatment, and rehabilitation for at-risk, ill, or injured individuals; provide nursing care and demonstrate nursing techniques as needed.
• Provide case management through observation, history taking, physical examination, analysis, documentation of findings, and development of nursing plan; make referrals and conduct follow-up as necessary.
• Aid in prevention and control of communicable and chronic diseases through epidemiological investigation, instruction in preventive measures, immunization programs, and case follow-up.
• Oversee and participate in various clinics, including referring and advising for further medical care under established policies and protocols.
• Identify and evaluate health needs of individuals and special population groups, such as the elderly, culturally, economically, or geographically disadvantaged and those with varying life styles.
• Represent the Health and Human Services Department to various community groups and provide information regarding Department programs, services, and policies, as well as instructional information about disease prevention, health promotion, treatment maintenance, and rehabilitation.
• Coordinate with other divisions and sections within the Health and Human Services Department, as well as with private, public, and voluntary health and social service agencies/providers in the community; participate in interagency conferences as needed.
• Provide or oversee training for new staff, nursing students, and volunteers.
• Initiate, implement, and evaluate projects or programs; prepare and maintain patient charts and other records and prepare reports.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Participate in emergency preparedness activities as requested.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Public Health Nurse - I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: No experience is required.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in nursing.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
• Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Health Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Public Health Nurse - II

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of responsible nursing experience performing duties similar to a Public Health Nurse - I with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in nursing or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
• Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Health Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Public Health Nurse - I

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public health nursing.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Arithmetic and basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, patient charts, reports, and perform special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; and observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time while reviewing patient charts and histories and preparing patient charts and reports; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb, and reach while making field visits, conducting clinics or making educational presentations or demonstrations; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk or treatment areas; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see and hear with sufficient acuity to examine and assess patient condition; and lift moderate weight.
• Interpret and explain pertinent Public Health policies and procedures.
• Provide professional nursing care; administer and handle biologicals; and take and properly handle specimens.
• Provide instruction in the prevention of disease and promotion of health and nursing care of ill or injured individuals.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and efficient manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; handle multiple case assignments; and work effectively with interruptions.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Use a computer, calculator, telephone, and photocopy machine.
• Use clinical and instructional supplies and equipment, including blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, audiometer, syringes, needles, and audio-visual equipment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Public Health Nurse - II

In addition to the qualifications for Public Health Nurse - I:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public health nursing, including preventive medicine, epidemiology, public health education, gerontology, and sociological problems involved in public health nursing.
• Procedures and practices used to promote maternal and child health and to assess infant, child, and adolescent development.
• Federal, state, and local statutes and regulations governing public health and nursing practices.
• Policies and procedures of a health services department, especially as related to public health nursing.

Ability to:

• Independently provide professional nursing care and instruction in the prevention of disease and promotion of health and nursing care of ill or injured individuals.
• Identify and assess client settings for contributing conditions and/or causes of health or socially-related health problems.
• Independently provide case management.