Public Health Nurse I

Job Description:

Public Health Nurse I

Description

Position Information

The Department of Health Services (DHS) seeks a dedicated and compassionate Public Health Nurse (PHN) to join their team!

Starting salary up to $67.31/hour ($140,484/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

The Department of Health Services, Public Health Division, is currently recruiting to fill multiple Public Health Nurse positions at either the I or II level. If you are interested in being considered at the different levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitment being conducted for each level.

About the Position

Public Health Nurse I is the entry-level position in the Public Health Nurse series. The position requires qualified candidates to possess a California State Public Health Nursing Certificate. Through on-the-job training and experience, as a Public Health Nurse I, you can gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be promoted to Public Health Nurse II.

As a Public Health Nurse, you will manage a caseload of approximately 25 primary clients and their children, ensuring they receive individualized assessments, ongoing follow-ups, and targeted health interventions. Other responsibilities will include:

• Conducting home visits and outreach, typically checking in with two to three families per day and collaborating with families to develop and follow individualized action plans
• Actively coordinating and following up on referrals to other health and social service providers and working with local agencies and community organizations to meet your client's needs
• Maintaining accurate, detailed, and up-to-date records of all client interactions, assessments, action plans, and referrals
• Attending mandatory team meetings and periodic training sessions and participating in regular outreach activities

Public Health Nurses work independently in the field, driving to clients' homes and community locations. Occasionally, you may be accompanied by a community health worker or social worker to provide additional support. PHNs work autonomously but receive regular support and consultation from a PHN Supervisor, who can assist with decision-making and meet regularly with nurses for reflective supervision.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Possession of a California State Public Health Nursing Certificate
• Experience working in community, clinic, and public health settings
• Working knowledge of modern public health practices and community-based resources
• The ability to work independently and in close collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to work well in stressful situations
• Experience working with diverse populations, individuals facing substance use, mental health issues, homelessness, and trauma
• Demonstrate respect for and appreciation of clients' strengths, building strong, trusting relationships
• Experience as a Nurse Home Visitor or in Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)
• Bilingual English-Spanish is highly desirable, but not required

About the Program

The Home Visiting Program promotes physical, social, and emotional health and well-being for individuals who are pregnant, children, adolescents, and their families through information, education, and resources. They help our clients get health insurance, establish a medical home, and connect with other community resources, including WIC, counseling, legal, and other support services. Client education services focus on promoting healthy lifestyle choices and nurturing parenting skills.

Trauma-informed Approach (TIA) to Public Health Nursing (Field Nursing) - One Full-Time Vacancy

TIA Field Nursing works with individuals who are pregnant , parents, and caregivers with children under five years who have experienced trauma. Trauma can include physical challenges (illness, altered ability, birth trauma, etc.), mental health challenges, substance use, CPS involvement, justice system involvement, or experiences of racism, inequity, or physical or emotional abuse. Through home visiting appointments, the PHN supports the client in learning about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and baby and child health needs, knows the signs of behavioral health challenges and connects the client with medical, dental, and insurance resources to make sure the client, child, and family receive the care they need.

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) - One Full-Time Vacancy

NFP is an evidence-based intensive nurse home visiting program that empowers first-time individuals who are pregnant to transform their lives and create better futures for themselves and their babies. Nurses partner with clients during the first or second trimester of pregnancy, and home visits are available to the family until the child's second birthday. Clients learn about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, child development, and nutrition. Nurses support families to improve their health, education, and economic self-sufficiency. Parents receive a certificate of completion on graduation. This NFP nurse will work closely with our partners at Sonoma County Indian Health Project, with a portion of the caseload dedicated to serving the tribal/Native community. C ultural knowledge and experience working with Native and Indigenous communities is highly desirable.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Career Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Public Health Nurse II
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Engineers and Scientists of California Union Local 20 Memorandum of Understanding (ESC MOU) and our Employee Benefits directory.

The Department of Health Services is currently recruiting to fill two full-time Public Health Nurse positions at either the I or II levels. This Public Health Nurse I employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a California State Public Health Nursing Certificate.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Working Conditions: Duties may require exposure to hostile, emotionally disturbed or mentally ill persons and/or confrontational interpersonal situations; intermittently sit at a desk for long periods of time while reviewing patient charts and histories and preparing patient charts and reports; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb and reach while making field visits, conducting clinics or making educational presentations or demonstrations; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk or treatment areas; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see and hear with sufficient acuity to examine and assess patient conditions; lift moderate weight; may work in dangerous, high crime areas of the community; and/or standby, callback and work during non-routine hours.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: Modern principles, methods, and practices of public health nursing, including preventive medicine, epidemiology, public health education, gerontology, and sociological problems involved in public health nursing. Community aspects of public health nursing programs. Prevention, detection and treatment of communicable and chronic disease, handicapping conditions, mental illness and other disabling conditions; environmental, sociological, and psychological problems related to public health nursing programs. Principles and procedures involved in family planning, sexually transmitted disease control, and pre and post-natal care; and current literature and trends in community health.

Ability to: Organize and carry out public health nursing activities in assigned district or program; differentiate medical problems requiring immediate consultation with a physician rather than a deferred consultation; to follow prescribed protocols set up by physicians and to consult with physicians and other medical personnel; work effectively with families and individuals to assist them in solution to health problems; develop and maintain effective public relations with clients, staff, community groups and organizations; exercise independent judgment, analyze and evaluate situations independently and take appropriate actions; instruct in the prevention of disease and promotion of public health; and write and speak effectively and prepare and maintain clear and concise records and reports.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be used in assessing minimum qualifications. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: BH
HR Technician: RR

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan : Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical : County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$115,563.83 - $140,484.05 Annually