Public Health Assistant

Salary : $68,452.80 - $82,613.44 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-E32-A
Department: Public Health
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 9/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01


Description


Under supervision, to assist professional Public Health Bureau personnel by performing a variety of clinical and community related support tasks.

Bilingual (Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Cantonese) candidates are encouraged to apply.

Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) is the second largest public health care system in California and includes four acute care hospitals, 14 clinics and 60+ specialty and sub-specialty services. Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare and excellent service to everyone in Santa Clara County.


Because we serve patients throughout multiple hospitals and clinics, you may have to work at different sites. We will meet any obligations we may have when this occurs.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center - SCVMC is a full-service tertiary acute care teaching hospital with 699 licensed beds providing a wide range of specialized services, including Rehabilitation, Burn, Trauma, and NICU. SCVMC was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as #6 Rehabilitation Hospital in the nation and #1 in the West and designated as a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care, Heart Failure, Stroke, Hip Fracture, and Pneumonia.

O'Connor Hospital - O'Connor Hospital (OCH) is a 358 licensed bed acute care facility offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical and specialty programs to residents of Santa Clara County. It was founded in 1889 as one of the first hospitals in the county. OCH has grown significantly over the past five years in both its inpatient volume and its Emergency Department visits. Along with these volume increases other ancillary and clinical departments like imaging, lab, pharmacy, and respiratory have seen growth as well.

St. Louise Regional Hospital - Since 1989, St. Louise Regional Hospital (SLRH) has been caring for the residents in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, offering a wide range of inpatient and outpatient medical specialties. SLRH has 93 beds, is a Designated Primary Stroke Center, and is the only acute care hospital in the area. Located in Gilroy, SLRH maintains a CALSTAR 2 emergency helicopter base on the premises.
Regional Medical Center - Regional Medical Center (RMC) is a 265-bed hospital that is the main emergency healthcare provider for East San José, treating a wide range of critical and life-threatening conditions for more than 60 years. Since the SCVH integration of RMC effective 4/1/25, RMC has expanded the critical services including Level II trauma, Thrombectomy capable Stroke Center and STEMI care, and has been seeing an increased number of emergency visits and inpatient volume.
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Typical Tasks

• Visits and/or interviews patients/clients and families to collect pertinent health related information;
  
  
• Participates in preparing plans for counseling toward improvement of health needs;
  
  
• Observes and reports on individuals' basic health condition;
  
  
• Clarifies professional instructions to individuals and families;
  
  
• Interprets public health policies and regulations;
  
  
• Provides paraprofessional counseling on health care related problems;
  
  
• Provides liaison with community residents explaining health and other available community services and programs;
  
  
• Locates residents in the community who need medical or other health services;
  
  
• Collaborates with the professional staff in the referral of these individuals and families and encourages them to take advantage of these resources;
  
  
• Participates in basic community educational activities;
  
  
• Collects data to assist in the formulation of plans and programs;
  
  
• Prepares various reports including patient/client information forms, activity and progress reports;
  
  
• Advises of and assists in enforcing compliance with health practices and regulations;
  
  
• Investigates public complaints in areas of preventive medicine, and communicable disease;
  
  
• Assists professionals in clinic settings by providing information to the public, preparing patients for medical tests, obtaining instruments and supplies and recording test results;
  
  
• Makes appointments for clinic residents;
  
  
• Attends appropriate staff and in-service meetings;
  
  
• Attends on-the-job training sessions;
  
  
• May pursue job-related educational courses;
  
  
• May act as a team leader over a number of Community Workers and performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards


Two years of experience comparable to a Community Worker and 30 semester units in the field of nursing, nutrition, health care or other related health field. One Additional year of education (at least 30 semester units) may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required work experience.

(When assigned to the Public Health Nursing Division, possession of a valid California license as a Vocational Nurse may be substituted for the required education and experience).

Special Requirement: Designated positions may be required to speak Spanish.
Possession of a valid California driver's license may be required.

Knowledge of:

• Problems, needs, attitudes, and behavior patterns of community residents;
  
  
• Available community resources;
  
  
• General departmental procedures and policies, programs and services;
  
  
• Routine counseling techniques used in both individual and group situations;
  
  
• Fundamental purpose, policies, procedures and techniques of the assigned program;
  
  
• General health disorders and home care problems of the community.

Ability to:

• Be aware of and sensitive to feelings, attitudes, and trends in the community;
  
  
• Recognize and understand the problems of the community and identify appropriate resources;
  
  
• Work effectively with professional and other staff members;
  
  
• Explain instructions to clients, patients and others on a variety of health related issues;
  
  
• Maintain confidentiality of information about clients/patients;
  
  
• Establish rapport with people of the community;
  
  
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
  
  
• Maintain accurate records;
  
  
• Advise and direct subordinate personnel.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more


The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE : Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01


Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED for your application and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. Please include the name of employer, job title, dates of employment and number of hours worked per week for questions asking about your experience. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Vague, incomplete or non-responsive answers could result in no or low scores in a competitive rating process. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02


What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 30 semester units / 1 to 45 quarter units)
• College (31 to 59 semester units / 46 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• None of the above

03


Do you possess a valid California License as a Vocational Nurse?

• Yes
• No

04


If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide your California Vocational Nurse License Number and Expiration Date. Please attach a copy of your license to your application.If you answered "no" to the previous question, please type in N/A.
05


Do you possess at least 30 semester units in the field of nursing, nutrition, health care or other related health field?

• Yes
• No

06


If you answered yes to the previous question, please describe your 30 semester units of course work in the field of nursing, nutrition, health care or other related health field. Include the course names, completion date, schools attended, and number of units. If none, type in "N/A".
07


How many years of full-time experience do you possess performing a variety of clinical and community related support tasks?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

08


Please describe your experience performing a variety of clinical and community related support tasks. Include the name of your employer(s), job title(s), job task(s), dates of employment and number of hours worked per week. If no experience, type in N/A.
09


This position may require you to drive and visit clients in the field or in their home throughout Santa Clara County. Additionally, this position may also require you to transport clients to and from their appointments, pick up and/or drop off specimens, medications, or radiology CDs. Do you possess this type of experience?

• Yes
• No

10


Describe your work experience driving and visiting clients in the field or in their home throughout Santa Clara County. Describe your experience transporting clients to and from their appointments, pick up and/or drop off specimens, medications, or radiology CDs. Include the name of your employer(s), job title(s), job task(s), dates of employment and number of hours worked per week. If no experience, type in N/A.
11


Please select the areas in which you possess professional-level experience (check all that apply):

• Working in an OBGYN Setting
• Working with Post-Partum Patient Populations
• Direct Patient Care
• Patient Education
• Translating Medical Related Information and Medication Instructions to Patients
• Working with the Community
• None of the Above

12


For any of the selections made in the previous question, please describe your professional-level experience. Include the name of your employer(s), job title(s), job task(s), dates of employment and number of hours worked per week. If no experience, type in N/A.
13


Please indicate which languages you speak fluently:

• Cambodian
• Cantonese (Chinese)
• Mandarin
• Spanish
• Vietnamese
• Tagalog
• English
• Other

14


For the language(s) selected, what is your competency level (check all that apply)? If you are fluent in more than one language, select your highest level of competency. Please note that if selected for a bilingual position, you must take and pass the language proficiency exam prior to appointment.

• Speak
• Read
• Write
• None of the Above

15


How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

16


How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.
Required Question