Health Care Practitioner

Full Job Description

SALARY
$63.31 - $76.44 Hourly
$131,676.48 - $158,988.96 Annually
Bilingual allowance, when applicable

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.

NOTE: 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.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or CLICK HERE to view more information.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

1. Retirement reciprocity
2. Time and service credit towards for an advanced vacation accrual rate

The County may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and, at the discretion of the CEO, can provide flexible relocation assistance, housing and student loan offsets, cash incentives, and/or vacation and sick leave pre-accruals in the interest of attracting the best talent to the organization.

POSITION

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.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENTS

County of Santa Barbara Health (County Health): Founded in 1925, our mission is to improve the health of our communities by preventing disease, promoting wellness and health equity, while ensuring access to needed health care, and maintaining a safe and healthy environment.

Our vision of “healthy people, healthy community, healthy environment” is made possible through our team of over 500 professionals.

With an annual budget of $98.7 million, we serve more than 440,500 residents across Santa Barbara County through a wide range of innovative public health programs and services.

The Department’s range of responsibilities includes:

• Investigating disease outbreaks
• Conducting health education campaigns
• Inspecting food establishments
• Working with high-risk mothers and children
• Operating health clinics for the underserved
• Staffing medical shelters during emergency evacuations
• Caring for our four-legged friends through our animal control program and many other programs and services.

Click on the image above to find out why our nurses

love their jobs and feel they're making a big impact

as part of the County Health Department team!

For more information, please visit: www.countyofsb.org/CHD

Department of Behavioral Wellness (BWell): Founded in 1962, it is our mission to promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services.

The Department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients with mental illness and substance use disorders annually through its professional staff of over 400, in addition to its many contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) providers.

The Department’s decisions and service delivery are guided by the following values:

• Quality services for persons of all ages with mental illness and/or substance abuse
• Integrity in individual and organizational actions
• Dignity, respect, and compassion for all persons
• Active involvement of clients and families in treatment, recovery, and policy development
• Diversity throughout our organization and cultural competency in service delivery
• A system of care and recovery that is clearly defined and promotes recovery and resiliency
• Emphasis on prevention and treatment
• Teamwork among department employees in an atmosphere that is respectful and creative
• Continuous quality improvement in service delivery and administration
• Wellness modeled for our clients at all levels; i.e., staff who regularly arrive at the workplace healthy, energetic and resilient
• Safety for everyone

For more information, please visit: www.countyofsb.org/BWELL

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.
  • NOTE: The hiring department may test you on your fluency.

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.

Requirements

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.

Qualifications

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.

Additional Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

Supplemental Questionnaire Rating. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored.

Candidates’ final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the responses to these questions. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Rating to be placed on an employment list.

An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule 6.

Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months.

At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the examination, rank on the employment list, and duration of the employment list.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran’s preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans).

To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans’ hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act.

No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran’s preference points, you must: (1) select the Veteran’s Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 and supporting materials to the Human Resources Department on or before the examination date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process.

The preference points will be added to your final test score.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting.

We require verification of accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

County of Santa Barbara Health (County Health) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy.

This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations.

A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.

Background Investigation: Finalists for positions in this class will be required to pass a pre-offer, job-related background investigation.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.

The appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance.

The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates.

The County has a longstanding practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 04/06/2026 at 4:59 p.m. PST; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Farrah Medrano, County Health Talent Acquisition Lead – PHDRecruiter@sbcphd.org.