County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to provide assistance to personnel in Public Health Clinics and in the community by performing routine tasks; to assess and follow up on family health needs in the community; to act as a patient advocate; to provide selected health information; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Public Health Nursing Assistant II’s assist nurses with tasks in the Public Health Clinics; provide education and assistance to persons and families in the community; and investigate and follow up reported cases of communicable diseases. Public Health Nursing Assistant II’s differ from those in the next lower class of Public Health Nursing Assistant I in that they act more independently, are assigned more difficult cases, and perform tasks which require more knowledge or skills. They may also orient new employees or volunteers to clinic procedures. The positions are flexibly staffed.

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. Prepares examination rooms for Public Health Clinics, ensuring that they are in order and stocked with the necessary supplies and instruments for the type of clinic to be held; may be responsible for storeroom, lab area or pill room and for ordering stock through the supply clerk, or other person responsible for requisitions.

2. Works with the general public; performs health screening tests such as height, weight, temperature, pulse, and respiration, dip stick urine, and vision; instructs patients in obtaining specific laboratory specimens; completes lab slips and attaches to specimens; sterilizes equipment.

3. May perform additional duties with appropriate training; e.g., put specimens in incubator and ensure pick up for lab, prepare gram stains for VD clinics, perform hearing tests, screen for negative TB skin tests, take blood pressure, analyze blood samples for lead content, or run film projector for educational groups.

4. Assists physician or nurse practitioner during examination; provides reinforcement of instructions to patients; e.g., diaphragm insertion, what constitutes a balanced diet, symptoms they may expect during pregnancy, etc.

5. May act as an interpreter in public health clinics or in the field, if bilingual.

6. Assists patients with medical history forms or in registering for clinics.

7. Under the supervision of Public Health Nurses in the community, makes home visits in order to:
· Provide assistance following medical treatment.
· Encourages patients to keep and make necessary appointments for medical care.
· Locate persons who have had contact with reported cases of communicable diseases.
· Arrange transportation to medical and dental appointments.
· Record observations and results of visits.
· Report additional cases found to Public Health Nurses.
· Accompany patient to a medical appointment.
· Reinforce instruction received at appointment or therapy in subsequent home visit.
· Assess home situation and family health needs.
· Provide child enrichment during parenting groups.
· Assist in teaching and counseling patients in such areas as maternal and child care, chronic disease prevention, nutrition, etc.

8. In consultation with Public Health Nurse, manages a selected caseload on an ongoing basis; may be assigned to take an agency referral or to monitor certain types of cases, such as child abuse, mentally retarded patients or children, alcoholics, TB patients, etc.

9. Assists in the orientation of volunteers and new staff to field and clinic procedures, may coordinate volunteer activities at health fairs and other outreach programs.

10. May participate in special projects and screening activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of six months as a Public Health Nursing Assistant I in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of six months’ full-time experience performing work comparable to a Public Health Nursing Assistant II.

License:

A driver's license may be required in order to carry out field assignments.

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:

· Basic public health services, including the types of services offered, basic concepts and general information regarding such things as family planning, nutrition, etc.
· Clinic and field procedures, as well as general departmental policies and procedures.

Abilities:

· Reading and implementing oral and written instructions.
· Learning field and clinic routines.
· Learning procedures that require greater skills.
· Writing legibly in order to keep written records and make observations.
· Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups in the community.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

5/79
Retyped: 1/85
LB:pb
Updated: 10/86
Old document: 0581h
New document: Jobspecs/5981
ys/7/01
CSC Date: 6/11/79

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) 
• 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
• 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.