County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under the general direction of the Health Officer or Agency Director, plans, organizes, evaluates and directs the Public Health Nursing Program of a local health department; contributes to planning, implementing and evaluating programs of the Agency; integrates and coordinates Public Health Nursing activities with those of other departments.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This position is responsible for the overall administrative direction, coordination, standards of service and planning of Public Health Nursing services and activities on a County-wide basis. Maintains liaison and consults with community, State and Federal agencies. Performs related duties as required.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Develops the philosophy, goals, objectives and standards of care for Public Health Nursing.

2. Oversees and supports department operation, assuring accountability and strategic planning achievement of objectives and standards, in line with the department.

3. Acts as Advisor to the Health Officer for Nursing, representing the department on matters relating to Nursing.

4. Provides leadership to the Public Health Nursing Leadership Team to insure high quality level of nursing care and service.

5. Stays current with clinical practices with a defined commitment to excellence in service delivery.

6. Either directly or by delegating to others, establishes a competent and accountable Public Health Nursing field workforce, evidenced by a strong commitment to professional growth and development.

7. Develops, directs and integrates the merits of the nursing Quality Assurance Program with the total Quality Assurance structure of the Public Health Department.

8. Provides public Health nursing input into the formulation of Agency and department policies and procedures, and overall planning for Public Health.

9. Serves as consultant to Public Health administrators on departmental programs with a nursing component or nursing implications; collaborates with medical staff in developing nursing functions and protocols.

10. Participates in planning and evaluating departmental programs.

11. Maintains compliance with all required licensing regulations and accreditation standards.

12. Reviews legislative proposals, keeps abreast of relevant legislation, advises Health Officer; confers with professional associations/licensing boards on practice issues.

13. As supported by the department, participates in research and/or studies related to health care and health care delivery and incorporates useful findings in planning and operation activities.
14. Serves as consultant to community agencies and represents the agency on Boards and Committees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Master's degree in Nursing or Public Health or related field.

Experience:

The equivalent of five years of progressively responsible experience in a local health agency with three years in a supervisory capacity,

AND
License:

Possession of a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of California.

Certificate:

Possession of a valid Public Health Nursing Certificate from the State of California.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Public Health.
• Public Health Nursing.
• Epidemiology.
• Principles of effective supervision and management.
• Budgeting and fiscal processes.
• Program planning and evaluation.
• Principles, methods and procedures as applied to Public Health Nursing Practice.
• Preventive medicine and environmental health.
• Control and prevention of communicable diseases.
• Health systems, agencies patterns of referral and of health systems reimbursement practices.
• Principles and practices of effective cost control, communication, effective organization, personnel management, labor relations and public relations.
• Quality assurance.
• Principles of scientific research, statistics and analytical methodology.
• Staffing patterns and methods to evaluate their effectiveness.
• Current trends and concepts relative to professional nursing practice.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, provide leadership and direction.
• Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
• Establish effective working relations and communicate effectively.
• Demonstrate creative and effective use of problem solving and decision making.
• Articulate and interpret current trends in nursing and health care.
• Utilize and teach concepts of assessment, priority settings, organization and evaluation.
• Organize multiple activities and devise and monitor systems for achievement of goals and objectives.
• Organize, prepare and present budgets.
• Interpret, implement and analyze programs and their cost effectiveness.
• Write clearly and concisely.
• Articulate effectively with large groups.
• Organize and present clear, concise reports and records.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

PR:lfm 6/2/81
AM:pb 5/22/90
AM:lm Revised: 2/97
CSC Date: 3/5/97
Old doc: 1134h.doc
New doc: 5391.doc
ys/6/01
DRH:po Revised 11/6/06
CSC Date: 12/6/2006
DRH:po Revised 5/1/07
CSC Date: 6/6/2007
ABS:po revised/retitle 9/9/08
old title: Director, Pub. Hlth Nursing Policy & Planning
CSC Date: 9/24/2008

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.