Certified Public Health Nurse I/II

Certified Public Health Nurse I/II

The County of Del Norte Health and Human Services Department, Public Health Branch, is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Certified Public Health Nurse I/II. This position is classified as full-time.

Under general direction of the Health Officer, provides public health care and information to the general public by conducting various clinics to provide health services; acts as a consultant to other agencies and private medical professionals in the community.

Essential job duties may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Provides professional nursing services in the conduct of various public health programs; conducts, and plans a variety of clinic services in accordance with established policy and standardized procedure; provides home visits; counsels family members and service recipients; and may perform a variety of services in relation to CCS, CHDP. Perinatal and other specialized programs.
• Conducts or participates in venereal disease, tuberculosis, triage, and other clinics according to established policy and standardized procedures; conducts patient interview to determine medical history; coordinates the processing of or performs laboratory tests; interprets test results and advises patients regarding recommended treatment plans; provides patient referrals as necessary.
• Conducts or participates in community health education classes regarding preventive and educational health care; conducts health screening program for at-risk populations.
• Conducts field visits to individuals on the case load and provides professional nursing services; gives instruction and counseling on health care; performs patient evaluations; and provides other related services.
• Provides a variety of nursing services in the control and prevention of communicable diseases; instructs families regarding necessary treatment; draws specimens and interprets test results; administers immunizations.
• Provides nursing services related to well baby and child related programs, initiating cases and providing instructions to families regarding diagnosis, testing, treatment, and referral.
• Represents the county on various commissions/committees and boards, provides liaison to other local medical providers in the conduct of county nursing services.
• Provides public health nursing services to remote areas of the county.
• Assesses children with special needs and/or suspected medical problems; coordinates with other agencies on instances of child abuse.

Completion of an accredited university, collegiate, or specialized course of study in public health nursing; and one year of public health nursing experience.

Possession of a valid license as a registered nurse and a valid certificate as a public health nurse in California.

Requires:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of nursing as applied to public health practice.
• Knowledge of preventative medicine and sanitation.
• Knowledge of community aspects of nursing programs including provisions for continuity of patient care, nursing services in health programs and nursing care in the home including teaching preventive care.
• Knowledge of the causes, means of transmission and methods of control of communicable diseases, including tuberculosis and venereal disease.
• Knowledge of child growth and development.
• Knowledge of procedures involved in promoting maternal and child health care and principles and purposes of public health programs.
• Knowledge of environmental, sociological and psychological problems encountered in carrying on a rural health program.
• Knowledge of current literature and trends in public health nursing.
• Knowledge of the functions of other social and health agencies and other professions related to public health nursing.
• Knowledge of the basic principles of mental health.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and plan, organize and conduct assigned public health nursing activities.
• Ability to work effectively with the public to assist in satisfactory resolution of health problems.
• Ability to provide liaison to the community in the direction of community health programs.
• Ability to prepare records and related reports.
• Ability to analyze situations and take effective courses of action.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.