Job Description

Public Health Nurse For The Infectious Disease Control Program

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2026. Public Health Nurse for the Infectious Disease Control program within the Emergency Preparedness and Infectious Disease Control Division of Public Health. New baccalaureate nursing graduates are welcome to apply for PHN I position using a California Board of Registered Nurses (BRN) interim permit (IP) but must receive RN License and PHN Certificate within 6 months of hire.

PHN - Infectious Diseases Program:

This position will work in the Infectious Diseases Program (IDC) to support policy and program implementation in the area of infection prevention within skilled nursing facilities, healthcare facilities, and other congregate residential facilities. Duties include but not limited to: serving as a technical expert and resource person to Public Health Nurses and healthcare facilities/providers on infection prevention; investigating and/or supporting outbreak response to reportable or emerging infectious diseases of concern within healthcare facilities and congregate settings; and serving as policy liaison to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to learn and share best practices and policy recommendations related to healthcare associated infections and infection prevention.

This recruitment is for Level I and Level II. The salary range for level I is $2,779.20 - $3,725.60 biweekly ($34.74 - $46.57 per hour). The salary range for level II is $3,070.40 - $4,115.20 biweekly ($38.38 - $51.44 per hour).

FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEFINITION

Under general supervision (Public Health Nurse I) or direction (Public Health Nurse II), performs a variety of nursing care services in the examination and treatment of clients in various settings including health assessments, case management, care coordination, counseling and referral services, and education to high risk and special populations for the prevention and mitigation of diseases and adverse health conditions; coordinates client care and community services to support the goals of the Public Health Department; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision (Public Health Nurse I) or direction (Public Health Nurse II) from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Public Health Nurse I:

This is the entry-level classification in the Public Health Nurse series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine nursing care services. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and complex; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Public Health Nurse II-level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Public Health Nurse II:

This is the journey-level classification in the Public Health Nurse series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Public Health Nurse I-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Positions in the Public Health Nurse I/II class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the II-level may be filled by advancement from the I-level; progression to the II-level is dependent on (i) management affirmation that the position is performing the full range of duties assigned to the classification; (ii) satisfactory work performance; (iii) the incumbent meeting the minimum qualifications for the classification including any licenses and certifications; and (iv) management approval for progression to the II-level.

This class is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse III in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series, including program and contractor oversight.

Essential Job Functions

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs a variety of nursing and coordinative duties in the provision of public health services to special populations and high risk, high acuity clients and their families to enhance the health and safety of the community; to treat and prevent the spread of communicable diseases; addresses prenatal, child, and adolescent health care concerns; and provides resources for healthy living choices for the populations served.
• Conducts comprehensive physical, psycho-social, and developmental assessments, performs diagnostic testing, reviews and interprets laboratory findings, and provides treatment and intervention pursuant to standardized procedures and protocols in a clinical, home, office, community or other setting.
• Performs in-home visits to assess the health of clients and their families; identifies behaviors and lifestyle choices that place clients at risk for disease or adverse health conditions.
• Provides case management and care coordination services to clients to aid in the development and maintenance of healthy living choices; sources private, public, and community health and social services agencies for the provision of services based on client needs and acuity such as prenatal and postpartum care, addiction recovery, and communicable disease treatment and prevention; works with clients who have co-existing conditions which require the coordination of care from multiple service providers.
• Follows up on treatment recommendations with clients and other involved agencies to ensure effective care and to provide guidance to clients and their families.
• Provides counseling and guidance to clients who have contracted a communicable disease; records communicable disease occurrences as mandated; explains doctor instructions and recommendations to clients and their families including isolation and preventive techniques.
• Develops comprehensive nursing care plans, acts as a client liaison and advocate to medical and other community resources; educates and counsels individuals, families, and groups regarding specific diseases or health conditions as well as health maintenance, promotion, and rehabilitation.
• Provides preventive healthcare such as well-patient clinics, vaccinations, and prenatal and postpartum nursing care; performs selected diagnostic tests using standardized procedures; gives prescribed treatments; assists physicians in outpatient clinics; acts as telephone advice nurse.
• Reviews, evaluates, and prioritizes incoming communicable disease reporting data and additional information on cases of infectious diseases to determine the health risks of clients and the community; may investigate the most difficult and sensitive communicable disease cases; assists in the development of methods to prevent, control, and treat communicable diseases.
• Determines medical eligibility for the California Children's Services (CCS) program; initiates case management services; processes requests for services and equipment; assists in estimating cost of medical care; makes case closure determinations and determines appropriate Notice of Action responses.
• Works with other providers and community partners to coordinate care for individuals or groups with infectious diseases.
• Develops and conducts educational and outreach activities for community, professional, and educational groups on selected public health concerns, best practices, and early detection and prevention techniques.
• Evaluates and addresses the health needs of special populations including the elderly, recent immigrants, and other cultural and socioeconomic groups; assesses cultural and linguistic differences and coordinates language interpretation services as needed.
• Serves on interdisciplinary committees and task forces as a public health advisor and subject matter expert; acts as a public health consultant to community groups and participates on a variety of health planning and educational committees.
• Assists with training, orientation, oversight and evaluation of precepting nursing students.
• Updates and maintains a variety of client charts, files, and other records; prepares a variety of periodic and special reports as required.
• Receives and responds appropriately to client complaints and concerns.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations and services of comprehensive public health nursing programs.
• Principles, practices, and current trends of public health nursing, including population-based nursing practices in high risk and high acuity populations.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances including the California Nursing Practice Act.
• Demographic, biostatistical, and data collection methods utilized in evaluating public health needs and problems.
• Major health concerns and risk factors of the populations served.
• Principles and practices of public health case management and coordinative care.
• Principles, practices, and techniques used to assess the physical, behavioral, and developmental health of children and adults.
• Principles and practices of prenatal and postpartum healthcare.
• Methods and techniques of conducting interviews to extract information relevant to patients' health.
• Safe medication practices.
• Common medical terminologies.
• Community health resources and government funded public health and social service program offerings.

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