Public Health Nurse I
Public Health Nurses provide services in the following programs:
- Children's Medical Services - California Children Services (CCS), Child Health Disability Prevention (CHDP), Foster Care Nursing, and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP)
- Disease Control - Immunization Coordination, Tuberculosis Case Management, AIDS Surveillance and HIV Reporting, and Infectious Communicable Disease Investigation, Tracking, and Reporting
- Family Health Services - Comprehensive Perinatal Services; Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health (MCAH) Planning & Coordination; and Home Visiting Programs, including Maternal Child Field Nursing and Nurse Family Partnership (NFP)
- Senior Health Services – Co-located within the following Human Services Department Adult and Aging programs: Multipurpose Senior Service Program (MSSP), In Home Supportive Services, Care Transitions, Public Guardian, and Adult Protective Services
Please visit the DHS website for additional information about the programs, services, organization, and partnerships at www.sonoma-county.org/health.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have past experience working in community settings with one or more of the following groups: high risk pregnant women; medically fragile pediatric, adult, or vulnerable senior populations; and disease management. In addition, they will have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; strong planning and organizational skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills; current knowledge and understanding of evidence - informed public health nursing practices; the ability to work independently and in close collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team.
Please Note: The PHN I classification requires possession of a California State Public Health Nursing Certificate. Nurses with school, hospital, clinic, or other community based nursing experience are encouraged to apply.
Why Work For The Department Of Health Services?
Our mission matters. Public health is a top priority in Sonoma County. And our PHNs play a pivotal role in growing our robust array of public health programs, while innovating new programming that continues to raise the quality of life throughout our community.
We are bigger than you think. DHS is the County of Sonoma’s second largest department, allowing for a wide variety of dynamic nursing roles to challenge and engage you at every step of your career.
Our work-life balance is real. Our PHN staff typically work standard business hours (read: no soul-crushing 14-hour shifts!). And whenever possible, we support our staff by offering alternative or “flex” schedules, giving you more freedom to manage your life how you want.
We believe in equity above all. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than a commitment at the County of Sonoma—they are at the heart of who we are and what we do.
Our community is vibrant. Why not live, work, and play in one of the most desirable places in California and beyond, where simple pleasures abound, from sampling world-class food and drink to hiking amongst towering redwoods and paddling the Russian River. It’s time to live your dreams.
*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.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill three full-time positions in the Department of Health Services. The employment list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, and extra-help (temporary) vacancies as they occur during the active status of the list.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a California State Public Health Nursing Certificate.
Driver’s 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 your employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should 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.