Registered Nurse II

Prevention-Oriented Nursing Services

Under general direction, provides prevention-orientated nursing services in an assigned program area, and education to groups and individuals in the community; provides clinical nursing, laboratory testing, history-taking, medication dispensing, and related services for various public and behavioral health clinics and in support of public and behavioral health programs; provides screening and sick call services for County Correctional facilities and Juvenile Hall; and performs related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised: Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Examples Of Duties

The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed in various divisions/departments. Types of work performed shall be within the scope and licensure (if required) for the classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law. Some duties may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.

• Coordinates preventative health care and nursing services for a variety of public and/or behavioral health programs; provides counseling on health subjects and lifestyle changes; assists co-workers and lower-level staff in making patient care decisions, and in performing clinical procedures; plans, evaluates, implements, and modifies nursing care plans.
• Dispenses and/or instructs clients in the use of medications; prepares and administers injections; draws blood and obtains other specimens for laboratory analysis and conducts routine laboratory tests; administers immunizations to adults and children; administers various diagnostic tests.
• Provides patient and family health/medical instruction and/or counseling as appropriate or directed; contacts community agencies to provide additional care as appropriate.
• Coordinates nursing care for youth at Juvenile Hall; conducts physical assessments on new admittees; maintains health information and records, and counsels Juvenile Hall residents on health practices.
• Monitors sick call requests and medical intake sheets for County Correctional facilities; prepares facilities for sick call services; reviews requests to determine if inmates should see a nurse or doctor; and conducts sick call nursing examinations.
• Plans, schedules, and conducts clinics, classes, educational activities, and related clinic services.
• Develops program protocols, policies, and procedures; updates and maintains clinic and program manuals.
• Participates as a member of a multi-disciplinary team with other professionals and paraprofessionals in the delivery of nursing clinical services.
• Coordinates activities with those of other departments and agencies as appropriate.
• Confers with other professional and para-professional staff regarding client's condition and nursing care needs; serves as a client advocate in dealing with other professionals and agencies.
• Reviews patient charts and records for complete and accurate documentation of program activities and patient care.
• Compiles information and health statistics data for reports; checks data; prepares and assembles informational materials.
• Performs general clerical duties, including answering phones, inventory, ordering, and distributing medical and office supplies and equipment, copying, filing, recording data, and other support.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Application of the Nursing Process, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes for medical and mental health issues.
• Ethical standards as described by the American Nursing Association.
• Principles and practices of nursing care, including knowledge of first aid and emergency interventions.
• Public health matters such as epidemiology, communicable diseases, psychological trends, and other health issues.
• Practices and procedures involved in the establishment and implementation of treatment and therapeutic plans for common illnesses, injuries, and mental health crises.
• Purposes, uses, and operating characteristics of a variety of equipment and supplies used in the provision of medical care, treatment, and related services.
• Methods of medical case recording and report preparation.
• Community resources relevant to the services provided.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to the work performed.

Ability to:

• Assess client health status in a clinic environment; and develop and implement appropriate nursing care plans for patients.
• Assess clients' health status during intake of a program or investigation and makes referrals and recommendations to ongoing case management and or services needed for clients.
• Safely and skillfully operate/use nursing and medical equipment and instruments as required.
• Conduct medical history and physicals; obtain specimens for and conduct routine laboratory tests; administer medication and treatments.
• Follow and transmit in exact detail oral and written instructions of a technical and complex nature.
• Prepare concise and accurate reports and charts regarding patient care and treatment.
• Coordinate with internal and external treatment team members.
• Maintain confidentiality as appropriate.
• Follow established policies, procedures, protocols, and standards, including safety regulations.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to the work performed.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to the work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

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

• Candidates must meet the education and licensure requirements established by the California Board of Registered Nursing
• One (1) year of increasingly responsible experience as a registered nurse.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate California driver's license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, a valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing, to be maintained throughout employment.

Physical Demands: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office, clinic, or correctional setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; and to operator a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Conditions: Employees work in an office, clinic, or correctional environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with clients with behavioral disorders/erratic and assaultive behavior, including those which require emergency crisis intervention. Incumbents may be exposed to blood and bodily fluids in the performance of their duties. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Application Process

The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible. Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum