10/16/89 B

This is a single class in the Health Counseling series which provides health counseling, and develops and presents educational programs to patients or clients in a clinical environment. Health counseling services are provided to patients and their families in a number of areas such as genetics counseling, family planning, adolescent pregnancy, sexuality, blood donor-ship, disease transmission, and/or related personal or social adjustment. Educational programs are developed and presented to promote an understanding and acceptance of circumstances surrounding an illness or condition, and to provide alternative solutions. Positions may be located in a hospital, outpatient facility or health district.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty in the delivery of education and counseling services to patients or clients. Plans, develops, and presents educational seminars regarding genetics counseling, family planning, adolescent pregnancy, sexuality, blood donor-ship, disease transmission, related personal or social adjustment, or other services of unit. Counsels and educates patients and clients on clinical procedures. Explains procedures and/or risks involved in the administration of various tests; interprets test results to patients or physicians; and obtains medical history and related information. Provides in-depth counseling with patients to emphasize alternative solutions to medical concerns and to avoid complications. Informs interest groups and others of program services. Serves as liaison between the hospital or clinic program managers and patients to obtain and disseminate information, notifies them of test results, and advises on additional requirements. Schedules follow-up sessions for additional counseling and other services and maintains contacts with community services agencies to arrange comprehensive services for patients. Bills for services, and conducts needs assessments. May explain fetal growth and development, the importance of nutrition,

hospital costs, labor and delivery, newborn costs, and post-partum methods of contraception. May advise prospective blood donors and schedule screenings; act as liaison between health department, schools and communities on unit programs; teach students on anatomy, reproduction, or other related area; and market program through public speaking engagements, campaigns, posters and public service announcements.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from a physician, Public Health Nurse Manager or other program administrator.

Scope: Counseling and educational seminars serve as a means for reaching out to patients and their families as they adjust and resolve concerns affecting their lives and those of others.

Impact of Actions: Positive impacts include an informed medical community and appropriate counseling offered to clients. Errors in information provided to clients could result in unnecessary terminations of pregnancy, thereby causing unnecessary loss of life. Malpractice suits may also result from errors made by these positions.

Personal Contacts: Frequent contacts with staff, patients, and clients to obtain and provide information. Educational programs are provided to the medical community to disseminate information regarding services provided by the clinic.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of counseling techniques and of specialty in assigned area. Some knowledge of assessment and training techniques; federal and state laws affecting specialty; and computer terminology.

Skills: Skill in venipuncture.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to provide counseling services to clients; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and to develop and present seminars.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to health services.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience in a medical field or in a medical counseling environment.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This specification was updated as the result of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program and replaces the Health Counseling Specialist class, effective October, 1989.