Class Specification: PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

ITEM NUMBER: 5230

APPROVAL DATE: 04/17/1995

DEFINITION:
Provides nursing services, including family centered nursing, to individuals and groups in homes and community health centers, and participates in planning and implementing community health programs.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
Positions allocable to this class work under the administrative and nursing supervision of a Public Health Nursing Supervisor. Such positions are characterized chiefly by their responsibility for conducting communicable and preventative disease case finding investigations for the purpose of preventing and controlling diseases and disabling conditions, and the promotion and maintenance of health within an assigned geographical area. Such positions also provide generalized and comprehensive public health nursing services, health teaching and counseling to individuals and groups in homes and in community health centers. Working independently within established agency guidelines, positions apply a variety of technical, interpersonal, analytical, and organizing skills to problems of health as they affect patients, families, and the community. Assignments in this class involve making independent judgments in assessing the health status of individuals, the health needs of patients and families, and in providing therapeutic care or making referrals to a physician, hospital, or other community services. Positions in this class also conduct communicable and preventive disease case finding investigations within their prescribed area of responsibility for the prevention and control of diseases and disabling conditions and the promotion and maintenance of health. Some positions in this class, upon completion of special training, function in an extended nursing role in a specified service such as prenatal or child health.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Identifies the health problems of an assigned geographical area by monitoring health problems revealed in clinics, homes and community contacts, evaluates such problems and either personally provides nursing care or counseling or recommends the provision of appropriate health services such as health clinic sessions, or medical, sanitarian, or social worker involvement.

Participates in adapting agency health programs and planning ways of delivering health care services to meet specific community health needs.

Manages a caseload of nursing services within an assigned geographical area by deciding priorities for the follow-up of varied physical and mental health problems and patient and family health needs which require home evaluations, nursing care, and other services.

Makes home and other visits to the community to evaluate the health status and needs of individuals and families, and develops health care plans which involve direct nursing care and counseling or referral to a physician, hospital, or other health or social service agency.

Performs and interprets diagnostic procedures such as tuberculin tests, and administers therapeutic treatments and preventive measures in the form of injections and immunizations in accordance with medical orders.

Participates in epidemiological investigations to identify and locate persons who have, or are suspected of having, infectious diseases in order to encourage and ensure their treatment; counsels involved persons on examination and treatment needed to prevent further spread of the disease and treat the existing condition.

Coordinates nursing services with the services of other health and allied workers.

Participates, as assigned, in a variety of community health district clinics by interviewing, counseling, and teaching patients concerning such matters as family planning, pre and post-natal care, infant care, youth and geriatric problems, mental retardation, communicable diseases, drug abuse, alcoholism, and other health conditions involving individual and public health.

Functioning as an extended role nurse, provides health supervision, diagnosis and treatment of minor conditions to maternal or pediatric patients on a continuing basis under the consultative direction of a physician who sees these patients initially or when, in the opinion of the nurse, adverse symptoms indicate the need for medical evaluation and treatment.

Provides health counseling, demonstrations, and teaching services in homes, clinics, and places of employment.

Leads and participates in group discussions with patients, nurses, teachers, and other members of the community on matters pertaining to health.

Speaks before community groups and service groups to explain the functions, programs, and services of a community health center.

Gives consultative services to school staff and students concerning health and communicable disease.

Serves as advisor to new staff, orienting and instructing them in the policies, practices, and procedures of the health center, community health, and the Department of Health Services.

Assists a supervising Public Health Nursing Supervisor, as assigned, in recruiting, orienting, and supervising voluntary health workers.

Gives technical supervision to lower level nursing employees, as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

LICENSE:
A license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing, a California State Public Health Nursing Certificate. Specific assignments may require a valid California Class C Driver License.

PHYSICAL CLASS:
3 - Moderate.