07/01/91 A

This is the second class in the Public Health Nurse Consultant series. Positions in this class exercise program and technical authority over all nursing programs within a Health Region or supervise nursing staff in multiple field sites as part of a statewide nursing program. Positions in this class function as the principal contact to the Health Districts regarding nursing management, program administration, and staff issues. This class is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse Consultant by the latter's administrative role in programmatic activity. It is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse Director by the latter's responsibility for technical direction of all agency nursing programs.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty as the primary contact person in a Health Region for matters pertaining to nursing programs. Represents the Central Office in reviewing, developing, analyzing and interpreting nursing statistics and output data; formulates program recommendations for regional and district management regarding public health nursing programs and staff and management needs; promulgates, coordinates and communicates federal and state program policy, procedures, instructions, and directives; provides assistance to field staff in the application and interpretation of policy and procedures; develops and implements regional nursing programs, standards and objectives; and evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of district nursing programs. Positions may perform on-site record review; analyze organizational use of nursing staff, funding, program policies and procedures; advise program management on the development and the efficient use of resources, the quality of the provided care, community needs assessment and program management techniques.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor for regional positions. Central Office positions supervise lower level positions in the Public Health Nurse series that provide nursing duties in multiple field sites such as Child Development Clinics.

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from a Regional Medical Director or other higher level position. Plans and carries out public health nursing assignments in an important unit of the agency. Assures regional compliance, consistent application of nursing policy and procedures and promulgation of information from the central office to the field staff.

Scope: In a Health Region establishes criteria, formulates projects and analyzes issues effecting all public health nursing programs. In the Central Office, supervises nursing staff in multiple field locations which support a statewide program.

Impact of Actions: Serves as a representative for central office management and functions as the primary contact person and as an expert for regional nursing programs. Improper decisions made by incumbents may cause significant costs in time, money, services or goodwill.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal contacts are made with agency central office medical and nursing program directors concerning the implementation, planning and development of programs, the communication of central office directives concerning nursing programs and the provision of consultation on projects with regional and statewide significance. Frequent external contacts are made with federal, state and local officials, agencies and community action groups to obtain or provide information relative to nursing services, statistics and complaint resolution for the region.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing, economic and social conditions related to community public health nursing, principles and practices of program and personnel management.

Skills: None required.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to determine program direction and implementation; to develop and carry out goals and objectives affecting a health region or other sub-division that affects patient care management systems; to evaluate program effectiveness; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to assess the need for and implement educational and training programs; and to analyze and interpret program statistics and output data.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: Licensure or eligible for licensure as a registered nurse in Virginia.

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

Level and Type of Experience: Considerable experience with program management for a wide variety of programs or equivalent performing direct delivery of nursing services to patients.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating

possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute

for this education and experience.

 

This class was revised and redefined as part of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program. It replaces the Public Health Nurse Regional Manager class, effective July 1, 1991.