Public Health Head Nurse

Overview

Under administrative direction of the Public Health Nursing Director, a Supervising Nurse or an employee of a higher grade, this employee performs highly responsible professional work in planning of care and implementation of the nursing process. The employee plans unit workflow and determines priorities; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; makes recommendations for personnel actions such as selection, discipline and performance;

performs other related duties as required. Work is reviewed through periodic consultations and review of reports and by evaluation of program results for conformity with established policies, standards, rules and regulations.

• Manages nursing services/care in accordance with nursing standards.
• Provides leadership to and direction of nursing staff in accordance with departmental and nursing goals and objectives.
• Evaluates nursing services/care given by subordinate personnel through direct observation and periodic conferences. Conducts probationary and annual staff performance evaluations.
• Identifies with staff their educational needs and assists in a plan to meet these needs in collaboration with available resource personnel.
• Collaborates with appropriate administrative personnel to ensure the availability of needed supplies and equipment.
• Participates in nursing research.
• Responds to emergency/disaster as directed.
• Reviews monthly report of staff and completes monthly report for district.
• Participates in quality assurance and improvement activities.
• Acts for Clinical Care Coordinator as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required per directives from nursing supervisor.

• Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing with Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, and at least two (2) years of experience as a Registered Professional Nurse.

• Considerable knowledge of and ability to independently apply nursing principles, techniques, and standards.
• Considerable knowledge of specialized patient/client care applicable to nursing assignment.
• Considerable knowledge of medications, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects.
• Knowledge of general and mental health conditions and treatment interventions through utilization of assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome identification, health planning, implementation, and re-evaluation.
• Knowledge of adult learning and family systems theory.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic differences; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other professionals, community resources and providers.
• Ability to act as a role model to health care staff.
• Ability to supervise.

General assignments are given by the supervisor, but the employee must use integrity and sound judgment in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the position. Work is reviewed through conferences and meetings.

Guidelines include departmental policies and procedures, manuals, and periodicals.

The nature of the work is to assess clients’ needs, provide health care, plan workflow, make recommendations, conduct intervention and identify support services, maintain case records and serve as clients advocate.

The nature of the work is to support the administrative and clinical supervision of professional nurses, paraprofessionals and other staff involving direct nursing care of patients/clients or performing specialized professional nursing work in the areas of community or therapeutic nursing.

The work is mostly sedentary, however, some driving, walking, and climbing of stairs are required. Incumbents may be required to lift and restrain patients/clients.

Work is performed in an office setting and in the field. Incumbent may have exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive/abusive patients/clients; may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.