DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is professional public health nursing work involving responsibility for assessment of health needs and development of care plans for individuals and families. The Senior Public Health Nurse is responsible for coordination of specific healthcare programs, as well as providing support and assistance in department programs coordinated by others. Additional duties include periodic re‑evaluation of nursing needs and program operations regarding individual, family, program and community needs, managing case referrals, and delegation of cases. Work may involve home visits. Special duty may be required on holidays and weekends. Work is performed under general supervision of higher-level Health Department officials and/or supervising Public Health staff. Direct supervision is provided to subordinate clerical staff, and general supervision may be provided to Public Health Nurses. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• Performs complete physical assessment by careful interviewing and use of nursing skills such as checking blood pressure, auscultation of lungs and heart;
• Performs skilled nursing care and prescribed treatments to patients in their homes and clinics and demonstrates nursing care to patients and families;
• Processes intake referrals, delegates and assigns cases;
• Provides guidance and support to nursing and clerical staff;
• Coordinates plans for service with Registered Professional Nurses, nutritionists, social workers, physical therapists, physicians and other professional workers concerned with individual and family health care;
• Counsels, guides and teaches individuals and families towards self‑help in recognition and solution of physical, emotional and environmental health problems;
• Provides nursing services in clinics, immunization, blood pressure screening and monitoring, flu vaccines, chest and other special clinics;
• Participates in the conduct of surveys and studies related to health matters;
• Documents services provided, and other relevant information through state level database systems, records, referral, and other forms, in accordance with federal, state and departmental requirements;
• May teach classes, addresses groups, and participates in community planning related to nursing and health;
• May provide for the continuity of patient care by promoting referral of hospital and clinic patients to appropriate community agencies;
• May provide maternal and child health guidance;
• May provide Public Health Nurse services at migrant camps, and related referrals to the appropriate agencies;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:   Thorough knowledge of current public health nursing practice; working knowledge of the administrative organization of community facilities; skill in the application of current nursing procedures and techniques of patient care; ability to plan and coordinate nursing care for individuals, families and groups and supervise nursing personnel assigned to assist with this care; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; ability to accept and utilize guidance; ability to perform duties in accordance with ANA Code for professional nurses; tact and courtesy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: * 

1. Master’s degree in nursing or a closely related public health field and one (1) year experience in providing professional nursing services as a Registered Professional Nurse, a Public Health Nurse, or equivalent; or
2. Bachelor’s degree in nursing and two (2) years in providing professional nursing services as a Registered Professional Nurse, a Public Health Nurse, or equivalent; or
3. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined in a) and b) above.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Possession of a license and current registration issued by New York State to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse at the time of appointment.
2. Access to transportation may be required to complete possible field work assignments in a timely and efficient manner.

*Per New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR), Title 10, Part 11, §11.41.

12/02; 11/06; 11/07; 1/09; 9/10; 7/18

Competitive Class