Public Health Nurse II

• Provides nursing services to individuals by assessing, diagnosing, planning for, implementing, and evaluating appropriate nursing care;

• Assists individuals and families in following medical provider recommendations;

• Participates in various clinics by interviewing and counseling clients in a clinic, homes, or community setting; 

• Recognizes attitudes and cultural patterns that are detrimental to health and guides families towards desirable changes through a trauma-informed lens; 

• Teaches and counsels individuals, families, and groups regarding specific diseases, health conditions, and health maintenance; 

• Assists individuals and families to identity their needs and establish their goals and refers to appropriate community agencies and clinics for specialized services;

• Coordinates care of clients with other public and private agencies; 

• Interprets medical providers’ orders and assists families in following these orders;

• Utilizes health literacy concepts to improve the public’s understanding of their health conditions, treatments, and self-care practices;

• Performs defined technical/skilled nursing tasks;

• Facilitates informed decision making and encourages families to identify the need for appropriate medical, psychiatric, hospital and other care, as necessary;

• Collects specimens from clients, performs medical tests and reports on test results, and administers injections and oral medications; 

• Determines caseload priorities and performs ongoing and follow-up evaluation to determine effectiveness of nursing care plan; 

• Consults and coordinates with interdisciplinary healthcare team members, community organizations, health agencies, and concerned individuals to identify community needs; 

• Recommends long term program planning for complex health problems; 

• Recognizes the current Essential Public Health Services;

• Maintains documentation and prepares necessary reports;

• May provide guidance and direction to community partners, health professionals, other Public Health nurses, and support staff;

• Attends staff meetings and participates in educational training sessions;

• May pursue appropriate job related educational courses;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required;*

• Performs other related work, as required.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Ability to lift objects weighing up to 15 pounds, squat, bend, and climb stairs;

• Ability to work alternate shifts and/or weekends.