Health Care Practitioner

Health Care Practitioner

The County of Santa Barbara is currently seeking dedicated and compassionate practitioners to join our team. As a Health Care Practitioner, you will play a crucial role in providing high-quality care to our patients. This position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive services.

The County of Santa Barbara Health department is seeking to fill three (3) Health Care Practitioner vacancies, including positions for qualified Physician Assistants, Certified Nurse Practitioners, or Certified Nurse Midwives. Two (2) Full-Time opportunities are available: one (1) in Lompoc at the Lompoc Health Center for Primary Care, one (1) in Santa Maria at the Santa Maria Health Center and Shelter Medicine. One (1) Part-Time opportunity is available in Santa Barbara for 0.5 FTE at the Franklin Health Center for Women's Health Services.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list that will be used to fill current and future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help and 1414* vacancies in multiple locations including Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. This job classification is also utilized by the Department of Behavioral Wellness within the County of Santa Barbara. Please select ALL departments and locations you would like to be considered for initial employment.

*CSR 1414 (Leave of Absence): This recruitment is to fill a position vacated as a result of a leave of absence (CSR 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under CSR 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without reapplication or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

Visa Sponsorship: Please note this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Under supervision of a physician/psychiatrist, performs examinations and evaluations of patient health/mental state; performs diagnostic and therapeutic tasks in the care and treatment of patients; and performs related duties as required.

The Ideal Candidate for County Health will possess:

• Experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or Community Health Center (CHC) with underserved populations.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience providing Primary or Urgent Care services.
• Ability to work independently and follow protocols when the supervising physician is off-site.
• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish preferred, but not required, for this position.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Positions may be located in the County Health or Behavioral Wellness Departments. Incumbents perform license-appropriate diagnostic and treatment tasks under the supervision of a licensed physician or psychiatrist. Incumbents are either: 1) registered nurses who have completed an approved nurse practitioner training program in family practice, family planning, pediatrics, mental health/psychiatric nursing, or other specialty; 2) licensed physician assistants assigned to areas of clinical or psychiatric specialty; or 3) certified nurse midwives. Nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives may furnish drugs and devices according to State regulations. Physician assistants may assist physicians in ordering drugs and supplies.

Examples of Duties:

1. Takes complete and detailed patient histories; performs physical examinations, records pertinent data, and makes evaluations; identifies abnormalities and develops treatment plans or makes referrals for further diagnosis and/or treatment; instructs and counsels patients and their families regarding matters pertaining to their physical and/or mental health; orders and interprets laboratory tests under the supervision of a physician; identifies patients who require the immediate attention of a physician; performs routine screening and laboratory techniques; and assists physicians in providing services to patients requiring continuing care, including reviewing and implementing treatment and therapy plans.
2. Gives technical direction to and works with the nursing staff of treatment team; performs emergency medical treatment; evaluates medical conditions of patients in a clinical setting; participates with other disciplines in case management of individuals and families who present multiple health problems; evaluates client's needs for other departmental services and refers patients to other community resources; works with other agencies to plan for the patient's continuity of care.
3. Under the supervision of a physician, performs routine therapeutic and minor surgical procedures such as applying casts for simple fractures, administering injections, incising and draining superficial skin infections, removing impacted ear wax, debridement and care of superficial wounds and burns, removal of foreign bodies from the skin, suturing, and administering of subcutaneous local anesthesia.
4. Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team providing technical expertise and assists with oversight of nursing staff; and may provide supervision oversight of Licensed Pharmacy Technicians, Medical Assistants performing authorized supportive services in community clinic settings.
5. Under the supervision of a psychiatrist performs routine mental state examinations, mental health supportive counseling and interventions, including medication evaluation, evaluate medication refills, and administering injections.
6. Participates in medical staff peer review and quality assurance activities/procedures.
7. Provides follow-up to patients with continuing health care or mental health needs, which may include counseling, health teaching, and home visits to patients and families.

Employment Standards:

1. Possession of valid license to practice as a Physician Assistant issued by the State Board of Medical Quality Assurance, as required by State law; OR,
2. Possession of a valid California Registered Nurse license, California Nurse Practitioner Certificate, and active furnishing number issued by the California Board of Registered Nurses; OR,
3. Possession of a valid California Certified Nurse Midwife license and active furnishing number issued by the California Board of Registered Nurses.

Additional Qualification: Some positions may require a United States Drug Enforcement Administration furnishing number. May also require possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License.

Knowledge of: techniques and procedures used in diagnosis and treatment of personal health / mental health problems; ethics and laws under which medicine is practiced and governed; services commonly provided by local health / mental health agencies; roles of the various health occupations; and social economic and cultural factors which influence Public Health/mental health.

Ability to: identify abnormal health conditions/mental disorders; gather complete, detailed and accurate medical or psychiatric histories; communicate effectively with physicians/psychiatrists, patients, and other health professionals; follow established procedures and protocols; recognize and evaluate situations which require the immediate attention of a physician; develop and maintain therapeutic plans for the management of identified health / mental health problems; and interview, instruct and counsel patients on health care matters.