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This is the first class in the Public Health Nurse series. Positions in this class provide professional nursing care to patients in clinics, homes, and in schools. This class is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse Senior class by its emphasis upon the direct delivery of nursing services in clinic, home, and/or school environments and the absence of permanent responsibility as a charge nurse or district-wide responsibility as single expert for one or more programs.

Complexity of Work: Positions in this class perform work of moderate difficulty instructing individuals and families in health education and disease prevention in local community health districts. The work typically involves medical needs assessment to determine patient and family needs; development of a plan to meet physician instructions and the psychological and social needs of the patient and family; and monitoring patient medical progress and notifying the attending physician of medical exceptions. Duties typically include performing laboratory tests, taking measurements of height, weight, and blood pressures, and providing skilled nursing care such as catheter, ostomy, wound and/or nasogastric care. Instructs families in the care and rehabilitation of disease for family members; gives treatments to patients following a physician's instructions; provides instruction in medication dosage and side effects; provides input to supervisor to assist community members and health field personnel to assess, plan and provide needed health and related services; refers patients to other community agencies for assistance; teaches home nursing techniques, child care and other subjects related to individual and community health; performs pre-nursing home Medicaid screenings; participates in programs to safeguard health of children, including child immunization and other federal, state and local programs. In the school environment, positions perform hearing, vision, and scoliosis screenings, and also inform children and teachers about disease conditions such as diabetes, seizures, and allergies.

Supervision Given: Supervision is not typically a factor. The Public Health Nurse may provide work instruction to Licensed Practical Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Public Health Nursing Aides, and/or Public Health Outreach Workers who provide ancillary nursing services.

Supervision Received: General supervision is typically received from a Public Health Nurse Supervisor or higher level nursing position. Consultation with the supervisor is expected for problems concerned with delivery of patient care and matters with legal implications and unusual circumstances.

Scope: Provides direct health care services affecting the quality and reliability of medical care provided to patients. Delivers public health nursing services in a health department or health district.

Impact of Actions: Affects the physical and emotional well-being of clients served.

Personal Contacts: Frequent external contacts are made with citizens within assigned geographic area and with primary care providers and other organized groups to interpret public health programs and promote patient case management.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing which includes human anatomy, physiology, growth and development, professional standards of nursing practice, principles of public health, epidemiological investigation; impact on lifestyle behaviors, environmental factors and genetics, family and group dynamics, motivational techniques, stress, crisis intervention and conflict management; medication indications, actions, reactions and interactions; infection control measures, and health education strategies. Some knowledge of communicable and chronic disease, maternal and child health, nutrition and methods of utilizing community resources to provide direct patient care services.

Skills: Working skill in standard nursing procedures such as injections, catheterization, applying and changing dressings, venipuncture, pap smears, taking blood pressure readings.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to monitor, assess and manage the physical, psycho-social and environmental health of patients and families through physical examination, observing, interviewing, interpretation of laboratory data and consulting; and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

OUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse in Virginia.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited school of nursing.

Level and Type of Experience: Public health nursing experience or experience in a related field.

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

This class was redefined in June, 1990, as a result of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program. It replaces the Public Health Nurse class, effective July 1, 1991.