Public Health Nurse III

Public Health Nurse III

$10,000 Sign-On Bonus*

This job announcement is being re-advertised. Applicants who wish to revise their original application are encouraged to reapply with a revised application. Otherwise, all applicants who previously applied do not need to reapply to be considered. This is an exciting time to join Fairfax County Government as we shape racial and social equity policies in the county through the One Fairfax Policy. Using this framework, we intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services. To learn more, we highly encourage you to watch the Becoming One Fairfax—An Introduction to Key Concepts video and visit the One Fairfax webpage.

About This Position

The Department of Family Services (DFS) Adult and Aging Division welcomes applicants interested in the Public Health Nurse III (PHN III) position. This position is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the Nurses II unit while ensuring that DFS values are integrated into staff operations and services. The role includes providing clinical supervision and support to various staff members, including Family Safety Practitioners (FSP) and Public Health Nurses (PHNs) involved in Adult Family Services and, when necessary, Adult Protective Services (APS). The supervisor ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. A key part of the role involves mentoring PHNs and specialists in assessment, care planning, and service delivery that aligns with a client-centered and least-restrictive approach. Also aids in interpreting and drafting local policies related to LTSS assessments. Entails guiding staff on policy and best practices in case management, home care services, CCC Plus screenings, and long-term care Medicaid. Additional responsibilities include onboarding new employees, providing ongoing coaching, conducting field visits, monitoring case outcomes, ensuring proper maintenance of client files, and managing expenditures. Maintains daily workload distribution to meet client needs and improve operational efficiency. Collaborative efforts are essential, working with the community and other county agencies to ensure effective service delivery. Plays a crucial role in adapting to changing priorities while promoting the agency's mission and addressing client and community concerns. Coverage for the Assistant Program Manager may also be required, along with other duties that support the DFS goals. Additionally, the position entails functioning as a certified Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Screener, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to conduct home visits. This involves assessing clients' health and safety needs and determining their level of care according to DMAS guidelines. Works with a diverse population, applying a person-centered approach and utilizing effective communication and critical thinking skills while respecting clients' preferences in their care plans. Other activities include outreach, health promotion and education, where applicable.

• Works as a certified Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Screener, with a multidisciplinary screening team.
• Consults on Screenings and all other Adult and Aging inquiries where applicable.
• Conducts home visits and makes an initial determination as to the client's health and safety needs and their current level of care per Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) guidelines.
• Conducts field visits to a diverse population, including at-risk, medically fragile, disabled seniors, adults, and children.
• Uses a person-centered practice, cultural agility, engaging communication techniques, and critical thinking skills.
• Works both independently and collaboratively, respecting opinions of others and considering the client's choice regarding their plan of care.
• Makes appropriate referrals and recommendations.
• Implements public health nursing activities providing services and intervention to include outreach, case findings, health promotion, education, care coordination, and disease prevention.
• Attends and participates in required meetings and participates in training.
• Assesses risks posed to clients.
• Interprets state and local policy; mentors and trains new staff; conducts training for staff and provides educational presentations to community groups.
• Supervises mixed professionals, including PHNs, FSPs, and admin support.
• This position requires assessment, care planning, and coordination skills; the ability to manage competing priorities and to respond effectively to crisis situations.

The primary purpose of the division is to ensure resources, advocacy, safety and well-being of older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers are met. To ensure that the division can carry out its purpose and meet the agency's responsibilities related to advocacy, protection, and well-being, the division director may move or reassign this position's related work duties and responsibilities within the job class.

* This position includes a sign-on bonus for fully qualified new county employees in the amount of $10,000.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of public health nursing theories, principles, practices, methods, processes, and procedures required to provide quality patient care;
• Knowledge of human growth and development, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, preventive medicine, epidemiology, and nutrition;
• Knowledge of current practices; literature, and trends in public health nursing to include environmental, economic, psychological, social (e.g., family and group dynamics), cultural and linguistic issues or barriers impacting assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of nursing services to the community;
• Knowledge of documentation, nursing diagnosis, and quality assurance;
• Knowledge of medical and legal policies, guidelines, principles, practices, and standards governing public health nursing as well as nursing specialization;
• Extensive knowledge of available community resources for referral and follow-up;
• Ability to interpret and apply the professional standards of nursing practice, County health department policies and procedures and applicable federal, state, and County laws and regulations;
• Ability to build, maintain, and promote effective partnerships (e.g., health care providers) that support planning, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of health care services;
• Ability to relate well to clients from varied backgrounds and different situations;
• Ability to manage or diffuse situations involving clients or county staff that may appear difficult, hostile, or distressed;
• Ability to identify problems and make sound, well-informed, and objective decisions or judgments relating to client health care;
• Ability to assess the quality, appropriateness, implications, and impact of decisions or judgments made by others and identify courses of corrective action, where appropriate;
• Ability to provide health training to clients and families with complex, multiple health needs, using knowledge of adult learning concepts;
• Ability to use technology to retrieve and analyze data, and communicate or share public health information in the appropriate format with stakeholders, other relevant parties, and the community;
• Ability to implement public health nursing programs;
• Ability to identify and advocate the need for changes in the County's public health care delivery system;
• Ability to assign and supervise the work of professionals, paraprofessionals, volunteers, and/or students;
• Ability to develop, plan, and coordinate services with other disciplines and health care providers.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from a college or university accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education with a bachelor's degree in Nursing; Plus, three years of post-licensure experience as a nurse in an equivalent health care setting whose focus was primarily prevention services and community education, including two years in a public health/community health setting; Plus, at least one year experience in a public health/community health specialty area or supervisory responsibilities.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Possession of a current license or a multistate licensure privilege to practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Valid driver's license.
• AED - Required within 60 days.
• CPR - Required within 60 days.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, driving record check, and sanction screenings to the satisfaction of the employer. This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified as a Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Screener.
• Working knowledge of community-based and long-term care services.
• Demonstrates skills necessary for doing basic and advanced health care assessments.
• Displays proficient interviewing skills in collecting medical histories and the ability to review medical records for pertinent information.
• Experience working with a diverse population, including at-