Registered Nurse

The Placer County Adult System of Care Division in the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN)  to support the Enhanced Care Management and Community Services programs. The RN will work independently or in coordination with master’s and bachelor’s level social workers by providing case management services to individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders and with individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Case management will often be directly related to contacting other healthcare settings to ensure that clients are linked to the healthcare they need.  The RN will also consult with other case management regarding client healthcare needs.  Services will be provided by telephone and in person.  In person services may be in the office, at homeless shelters, in client homes, or in other community settings. In addition to supporting enrolled clients, the RN will participate in outreach by building rapport with clients who have been referred to Enhanced Care Management, but may not be ready to participate in the program.

The Placer County Public Health Division in the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking registered nurses to fill temporary/extra-help assignments to support the following programs:

Communicable Disease/Immunization - The extra-help registered nurse will work under the direction of a Supervising Public Health Nurse supporting communicable disease and immunization-related efforts. These activities may include communicable disease case investigation and contact tracing, preparing materials, policies, and protocols for disease investigation, and collaborating with local, state, and federal partners. The RN may also support Placer County’s immunization efforts by working at local clinics or providing other clinical support needed for vaccination distribution.

California Children's Services (CCS) - The California Children's Services (CCS) program provides diagnostic and treatment services, medical case management, and physical therapy/occupational therapy services to children and youth with eligible medical conditions. The extra-help registered nurse would process annual medical reviews. The review process would entail: determining a child’s needs and services; assessing medical records; communicating with providers, specialty care centers, hospitals, medical supply companies and clients’ families; and updating medical treatment requests. This position encompasses knowledge of disease progression and medical therapy for a variety of childhood disorders. The RN will attain knowledge of Medi-Cal coverage and coding.

Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC) - The Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC) is a public health nursing program located in county child welfare service agencies and probation departments to provide nursing expertise in meeting the medical, dental, mental, and developmental needs of children and youth in foster care. The extra-help registered nurse might: help foster caregivers obtain health assessments and dental exams for children; provide medical education by discussing medical reports; perform developmental testing; interview parents regarding child’s medical and behavioral needs; gather and prepare children’s hair for testing; medical record entry.

This recruitment may be used to fill both permanent vacancies and extra-help* positions in various County departments as they arise, subject to specific position requirements.

*Temporary/Extra-help assignments are limited to 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

Subject to approval by the appointing authority and upon successful completion of a foreign language proficiency exam, an additional 5% bilingual pay will be paid to employees who use a second language on a regular basis in the normal course of business.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Professional benefits

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To provide registered nursing services in various programs in the Health and Human Services Department that support community public health efforts. 

This is the journey level in the nursing series, which is responsible for the performance of the full range of duties. Staff at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to the assigned area of responsibility.

Positions at this level are distinguished from Licensed Vocational Nurse by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, and the required licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory/management staff. May receive technical and functional supervision from other medical staff.

May exercise technical medical supervision over technical staff.

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

• Perform nursing services necessary for the efficient operation of various program in the Department of Health and Human Services..
• Assist health and clinical program staff with examination and treatment of patients.
• Evaluate health needs of individuals and special population groups such as the elderly, culturally, economically, or geographically disadvantaged.
• Interview patients and/or family to obtain data for nursing assessment, records, and reports data.
• Make home or other field site visits as assigned to assess patient needs; counsel patients and provide information as appropriate to patient and family; provide education and referral(s).
• Participate in continuum of care for patients as necessary; and consult with nursing staff, physicians, and other medical or program staff as necessary.
• Respond to inquiries from the public or Department of Health and Human Services patients.
• Follow patients' cases to observe progress and condition; make observations about physical, psycho-social, cultural, learning needs, and response of patients; and document observations.
• Apply knowledge of normal parameters; identify deviation from normal, obvious patient problems, symptoms,  and/or behavioral changes; report changes to the appropriate authority. 
• Administer prescribed medication and give diagnostic tests and read results. 
• Prepare, sterilize, and maintain instruments and other equipment used in diagnosis and treatment; take proper care of specimens obtained.
• Distribute and maintain inventory of necessary supplies; prepare and pack supplies for work in the community.
• Maintain charts, records, and reports; handle special complicated billings and charges.
• Provide training and technical oversight to various technical staff and volunteers.
• Coordinate with other divisions and programs within the Health and Human Services Department, as well as with private, public, and voluntary health and social service agencies/providers in the community. 
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Work is typically performed in an indoor office or field-based environment with controlled temperature conditions and may require travel to and from other locations in a variety of outdoor weather conditions.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below. 

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: One (1) year of responsible professional nursing experience in an approved hospital, clinic, or nursing home.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Additional specialized training in professional nursing or a related field is desirable.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid license as a Registered 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.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, methods, and procedures of nursing, including first aid, sterilization techniques, infection control, disposal of bio-hazardous material; administering medications, narcotics, and treatments; and use and care of equipment and supplies.
• Medical technology, health practices, and equipment.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Regulations and procedures governing assigned program.
• Principles and practices of patient observation related to conducting first line psycho-social assessments including knowledge of normal behavioral parameters.
• Principles and practices of work safety, especially as related to communicable diseases.
• Differing cultural, religious, economic, and social groups and their relationships to the delivery and acceptance of health services.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze procedures, reports, and patient charts; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; identify and locate supplies and equipment; interpret work orders; recall and apply related regulations, policies, and procedures; and explain medical practices and procedures to patients.
• Intermittently, sit while studying or preparing records and patient charts; continuously stand, walk, bend, squat, climb, kneel, stoop, and twist when assisting patients, operating equipment, administering tests or treatments or handling supplies; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; see and hear with sufficient acuity to take and read various diagnostic tests, interview patients, and administer treatments; and lift heavy weight.
• Provide empathetic nursing care and effective counseling to patients.
• Administer treatments, medicines, and narcotics as prescribed.
• Keep case records and prepare reports.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Obtain information through interviews; deal fairly and courteously with the public; handle multiple cases; and work effectively with interruption.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Use a computer, calculator, telephone, facsimile machine, postage meter, and photocopy machine.
• Use medical equipment and supplies appropriate to a community health setting.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Lori Reed, Administrative Technician, at lreed@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4669.