Registered Nurse-Public Health

Under direct supervision, provides professional public health nursing practices in a variety of community settings and promotes health and wellness through education, referral, advocacy, primary care, case management, coordination of services, and case-findings.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Registered Nurse-Public Health performs the full range of professional public health nursing duties. Incumbents are expected to work at the full scope of their licensure with a decreasing amount of supervision commensurate with their experience. This class differs from the Senior Registered Nurse-Public Health in that the latter is considered the advanced journey level in the series and may require specialized training and/or clinical supervision of staff.

NOTE: Public Health's hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Health Care Agency - Public Health

Registered Nurse-Public Health is represented by the California Nurses' Association (CNA) and is eligible for overtime compensation. Salary placement will be determined according to the current CNA memorandum of agreement.
 
The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra-Help vacancies within the Ventura County Health Care Agency Public Health Department. There are currently eight (8) Regular vacancies. 

Examples Of Duties

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

• 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; and 
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:
 

• 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

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: 

• Must possess and maintain a current, valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid State of California Public Health Nurse Certificate
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid California Class C driver license
• Must have a current, valid Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification by the first day of employment and maintain it thereafter
• Depending upon the area of assignment, additional specialty experience and/or certification(s) may be required

DESIRED:
 

• Bilingual in English/Spanish

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
Knowledge of: public health nursing theory and practices; basic nursing skills; and community resources as they relate to public health nursing.

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.