Public Health Nurse I

County of Santa Clara•Santa Clara, CA

About The Position

Under supervision, the Public Health Nurse I applies systems-level thinking and knowledge of nursing, social, and public health sciences to provide public health nursing services in diverse settings, including homes, clinics, hospitals, schools, agencies, and community settings, as required by the assigned program area. The role provides nursing care and health education, coordinates services with community partners, documents care, and may guide support staff. Employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level, and individual employees do not necessarily perform every listed task.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree or higher in Nursing.
Possess and maintain a valid Registered Nurse license issued by the State of California for the duration of employment.
Possess and maintain a valid Public Health Nurse certificate issued by the State of California for the duration of employment.
Possess a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate.
Ability to travel to alternate work locations.
If driving, possess a valid California driver's license before appointment and qualify for and maintain County driver authorization.
Knowledge of public health nursing principles, practices, and methods; nursing process stages; trauma-informed care; case finding and case management; communicable disease causes, transmission, prevention, control, and care; relevant community resources and health agencies; medicines and their effects; English usage; interviewing techniques; and common computer technology, applications, and electronic medical record systems.
Ability to plan, organize, and deliver public health nursing services; work effectively with clients and families; develop and maintain public relations with community organizations; assess situations accurately and act appropriately while working alone in the field and entering homes; maintain cultural competency and inclusivity; collect specimens and administer injections and medications; provide treatment recommendations based on current clinical guidelines and best practices; prepare accurate reports and documentation; guide support staff; maintain effective working relationships; and communicate orally and in writing with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to lift objects weighing up to 15 pounds, squat, bend, and climb stairs.
Ability to work alternate shifts and/or weekends.
As a County employee, designated as a Disaster Service Worker under applicable California Government Code sections and local ordinance, with required emergency-response obligations.

Responsibilities

Assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate appropriate nursing care for individuals.
Assist individuals and families in following medical provider recommendations and orders.
Recognize attitudes and cultural patterns detrimental to health and guide families toward desirable changes using a trauma-informed approach.
Teach and counsel individuals, families, and groups about diseases, health conditions, and health maintenance.
Participate in clinics by interviewing and counseling clients.
Help individuals and families identify needs and goals, and refer them to appropriate community agencies and clinics for specialized services.
Coordinate client care with other public and private agencies.
Collect client specimens, perform medical tests, report test results, and administer injections and oral medications.
Conduct ongoing and follow-up evaluations to determine the effectiveness of nursing care plans.
Use health literacy concepts to improve public understanding of health conditions, treatments, and self-care practices.
Facilitate informed decision-making and encourage families to seek appropriate medical, psychiatric, hospital, or other care when necessary.
Perform defined technical and skilled nursing tasks.
Recognize the current Essential Public Health Services.
Maintain documentation and prepare necessary reports.
May provide guidance and direction to support staff.
Attend appropriate staff meetings and in-service training sessions.
May pursue job-related educational courses.
May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker and complete assigned related training; in an emergency, return to work as ordered.
Perform other related work as required.