Under general supervision, to apply systems-level thinking from knowledge of nursing, social, and public health sciences to provide professional public health nursing services in diverse settings, including homes, clinics, hospitals, schools, and community settings as required by the assigned program area.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Public Health Nurse II classification is the journey level in the Public Health Nurse classification series. Public Health Nursing is a specialty practice within nursing and public health.
The Public Health Nurse II classification is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse I classification in that the Public Health Nurse I is the entry-level classification with no or limited public health nursing experience, while the Public Health Nurse II is experienced, has the skills, knowledge, and ability to assess the needs, opportunities, and inequities of individuals, families, and populations and translate this assessment into actions at all levels that impact health, and is assigned responsibilities that are more complex and varied. Public Health Nurse IIs receive less direct supervision, work with more independence, are expected to be knowledgeable of the community and its resources, and may serve as a lead to assist Public Health Nurse Manager I or II to supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
The Public Health Nurse II classification is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse III classification in that Public Health Nurse IIs normally carry a full caseload while Public Health Nurse IIIs perform special assignments requiring more complex health assessment, analysis, and evaluation techniques and frequently act in a consulting capacity. In addition, the Public Health Nurse III may provide oversight of a programmatic area within the Public Health Department.
Bilingual (Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Cantonese) candidates are encouraged to apply. If you speak a second language fluently, specify the language located under Agency-Wide Questions of the application.
A day in the life: What does a Public Health Nurse do?
A day in the life: How does a Public Health Nurse prepare for the day?
Day in the life: What it means to be a Public Health Nurse.
Twitter I @scvmctalent
Facebook I facebook.com/SCVMC
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/scvmc
Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:
Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of a Bachelor's Degree, or Higher, in Nursing;
and
One (1) year of full-time experience as a Public Health Nurse, school nurse, home health nurse, community health nurse, or other relevant nursing experience equivalent to a Public Health Nurse with the County of Santa Clara.
Special Requirements
- Possess and maintain a valid License as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California for the duration of employment in this classification.
- Possess and maintain a valid Certificate as a Public Health Nurse issued by the State of California for the duration of employment in this classification.
- Possession of a current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate.
- Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
- *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.
Knowledge of:
- Principles, practices, and methods of public health nursing;
- Stages of nursing process and principles of trauma-informed care;
- Causes, transmission, prevention, control, and care required for communicable disease(s);
- Principles of case finding and case management in a variety of settings;
- Client centered care of diverse populations and ages in a variety of settings;
- Community resources and health agencies related to public health nursing;
- Use and effects of medications;
- English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
- Interviewing, counseling, and teaching techniques;
- Common computer technology, system applications, and electronic medical record systems.
Ability to:
- Plan, organize, and carry out public health nursing services;
- Work effectively with clients and families to assist with satisfactory resolution of health problems;
- Develop and maintain effective public relations with community organizations;
- Assess and analyze situations accurately and take appropriate action;
- Maintain sensitivity to cultural competency principles that are inclusive and representative of our community;
- Collect specimens and administer injections and medications;
- Provide treatment recommendations based on current clinical guidelines and best practices;
- Prepare accurate reports and documentation;
- Provide direction to and train others;
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.