San Mateo County Health is seeking an experienced and well-qualified limited term Public Health Nurse - Communicable Disease Control Program. The mission of the Communicable Disease Control Program is to protect and promote the health of all County of San Mateo residents through surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of communicable diseases of public health significance, excluding tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases which are addressed by separate programs. The current vacancy is a limited term position in the Public Health, Policy and Planning Division located in San Mateo, but will travel/drive throughout the County to perform the duties of the position.The Public Health Nurse (PHN), under the administrative and clinical supervision of the Clinical Services Manager II-Nursing, will coordinate and provide disease control and prevention services to patients, case contacts, health care providers, institutions, organizations, and the community. These activities include, but are not limited to: case/contact and outbreak investigation and follow-up, provision of clinical services and immunizations, participation in development of communicable disease preparedness and control protocols and policies, and formulation of education, training, and written materials regarding communicable diseases.The PHN will serve as an internal resource for communicable disease issues, as well serve as a resource to our external collaborative partners, such as health care providers, institutions, organizations, the public, and the community at large. These responsibilities include providing clinical perspective and guidance to personnel performing disease investigations.Due to the nature of the Communicable Disease Control specialty, the PHN may on occasion be required to work during evenings, weekends, and holidays. The ability to independently conduct field investigations in a wide range of settings with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds is critical. The position also requires sound critical thinking and decision-making skills, clinical and technical expertise, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills.Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:- Investigate reportable communicable diseases as mandated by Title 17, California Code of Regulations §2500.
- Assist with outbreak investigations.
- Participate in on-call weekend PHN shift rotations providing consultation and guidance to providers and facilities reporting communicable diseases and outbreaks, and responding to inquiries after consultation with on-call Weekend Health Officer.
- Screen Confidential Morbidity Reports, lab reports and other information regarding communicable diseases received via fax, phone or electronically through the State of California CalREDIE system.
- Provide guidance and support to Communicable Disease Investigator (CDI) staff members involved in communicable disease investigations.
- Maintain collaborations with other local health jurisdictions, agencies and Health System divisions.
- Assist with out-of-jurisdiction communicable disease reporting to the appropriate jurisdiction.
- Participate in Officer of the Day phone consultation duties, fielding inquiries from health care providers, partners and the general public.
- Provide and coordinate a wide variety of disease control and prevention services to patients, case contacts, health care providers, institutions, organizations and communities throughout San Mateo County. This includes case and contact assessment, along with screening that may involve specimen collection (e.g., venipuncture, nasopharyngeal swab, stool specimen).
- Provide and participate in communicable disease education, presentations and in-services to professional and lay groups within the community upon request, when feasible.
- Participate in the development and maintenance of communicable disease information for staff, providers, institutions, organizations, communities and the general public.
- Assist with orientation of new staff, students, interns and preceptees to communicable disease control programs and activities.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
The ideal candidatewill have a background in Public Health Nursing, preferably with experience applying tools and strategies to control the spread of infectious diseases; a strong understanding of Title 17, California Code of Regulations §2500; experience conducting case and outbreak investigations; and experience presenting public health messages to community stakeholders. This is a limited term, at-will position. Limited Term Employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years. They receive medical and dental benefits, similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan. Information for current County employees: Current and regular San Mateo County Employees who are interested in this assignment must submit application materials and compete in the selection process. If you are successful in the selection process and are being considered for the assignment, HR will work directly with you and/or your department for options. Please note that there is no guarantee that you will be allowed by your department to rotate into this assignment nor are your departments obligated to allow you to take on this assignment.
The salary range for this position is "as is" and non-negotiable.Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:- Assess client's health status through history taking, observation and screening tests.
- Develop care plan including goals and time frames.
- Counsel, teach, and coordinate health and social services provided to client/family.
- Inform high risk group of resources and make referrals as appropriate.
- Document services and client's response to services.
- Provide limited therapeutic nursing care; administer medication and treatments, teaches self-care when appropriate.
- Participate in defining and addressing community health needs through consultation, recruitment of providers and development of resources.
- Participate in organizing clinics, staffs and manages clinics; perform physical assessments, screening tests.
- Participate in developing instruction materials.
- Keep statistical records, write reports.
- Assist with orientation instruction and guidance of community workers, and related personnel.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Licensure/Certification:- California license as a Registered Nurse.
- California Certificate as a Public Health Nurse.
Education and Experience:Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.Knowledge of:- Principles and practices of public health nursing, with emphasis on field and clinic activities.
- Problem solving through nursing process.
- Technical nursing procedures.
- Health and social services resources.
- Collaborative health planning with multi-disciplinary teams.
Skill/Ability to:- Teach and counsel.
- Perform technical nursing procedures.
- Assess physical, psycho-social and nutritional needs.
- Assess community health needs.
- Teach and guide other health personnel and volunteers.
- Motivate people in positive health attitudes and behavior.
- Work effectively with multi-problem families.
- Problem solve.
- Make independent judgments and ability to work autonomously.
- Assume a leadership role in community health programs.
- Communicate effectively both verbally and orally.
- Be culturally sensitive.
- Be flexible to adapting to a changing environment.
- Organize communities regarding health matters.
If you are interested in being considered for this limited term position, the following materials must be electronically submitted in a Word or PDF format:
- Cover letter with responses to Supplemental Questions (maximum of 2 pages)
- Resume
Supplemental Questions:
- This position requires a California license as a Registered Nurse and a California Certificate as a Public Health Nurse. Do you have a current California RN license in good standing and a California Certificate as a Public Health Nurse? Please provide the license and certificate number and expiration date for both.
- Describe your education, training, and experience pertaining to Communicable Disease Control, and how it prepares you for this position.
- Staff in this unit work simultaneously on multiple disease investigations. Describe your experience managing a number of cases, inquiries, and/or projects with varying priorities.
Please include the words
"Public Health Nurse - Communicable Disease Control Program - Limited Term" in the subject line of the email submission. Please submit the required materials electronically via email to:
Application materials will be reviewed as they are received, and well-qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Apply immediately. Resumés will be accepted until position is filled. This posting is open on a continuous basis and selection may be made at any time within the process. NOTE: Application materials are only accepted via e-mail. Materials sent via regular mail and/or fax will not be accepted.
Submittals that do not include all required elements (cover letter with responses to supplemental questions and a resume) will not be considered. San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities. The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.
