08/01/1985 34800

COMMUNITY HEALTH CONSULTANT

DEFINITION: This is professional, administrative and consultative work in the community health program.

The employee in this class functions as the principal staff assistant to the Deputy Secretary for Community Health in relation to nursing and environmental health issues, programs and policies. The employee is responsible for representing the Deputy with various program directors and staff throughout the Department providing input to program development and insuring the effective coordination and delivery of services. Work also includes responsibility for reviewing nursing practice issues as identified and serving as the Deputy's representative on committees reviewing and revising nursing protocols. The work also includes reviewing County and Municipal Health Department's annual program plan and providing nursing consultation and technical direction to local health departments, State and National Boards, advisory committees and professional organizations. The employee is also responsible for providing consultation and liaison services in relation to environmental health issues to the district ffices and the department's other program offices and for participating in the development, interpretation and implementation of regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to the environmental protection program for the local boards of health. Work is assigned by the Deputy Secretary for Community Health on a project or issue basis according to programmatic priorities and is reviewed through conferences, progress reports, monthly narratives for conformance with departmental policies and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Serves as the Deputy Secretary for Community Health's liaison with program directors throughout the Department to provide input to program planning and development.

Reviews departmental policies and practices in relation to nurse practice issues with the Pennsylvania Nurses Association and the State Board of Nurse Examiners.

Chairs the Standing Orders Committee and represents the Deputy Secretary for Community Health in the development and revision of standing orders for public health nursing services.

Reviews the annual programs of the County and Municipal Health Departments in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Resources for conformance with state regulations.

Works with the district nurse administrators to develop, implement and evaluate
nursing services, standards and policies on a statewide basis.

Develops with the district directors and appropriate staff, regulations, policies and procedures for local health officers.

Represents the Deputy Secretary for Community Health with other departmental program managers to provide input to program development and implementation and to insure coordination of services.

Coordinates the activities of the environmental health specialists in the field with the Division of Environmental Health and the Department of Environmental Resources.

Interprets and implements regulations with the local health departments.

Participates with the district office staff in planning programs and strategies to improve services offered by local health departments, boards of health and health officers.

Oversees and coordinates the preparation of a community health nursing manual from a variety of sources.

Participates in planning conferences and meetings with community health nurse administrators and environmental health specialists.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the theory, principles, practices and current developments in the field of public health.

Knowledge of Federal and state laws governing public health programs.

Knowledge of current nursing theories and practices.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing.

Knowledge of the current social, economic and environmental problems as they apply to public health.

Knowledge of the health impacts resulting from the dumping of hazardous substances or the improper control of industrial waste.

Knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to local health programs.

Ability to plan, develop and coordinate a public health program and to participate in the overall program planning for the entire department.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of state agencies, state and local public health officials, local health organizations, institutions and the general public.

Ability to coordinate the work of public health personnel in the operation of an effective health delivery system.

Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans and determine the most efficient and effective plan.

Ability to evaluate current educational trends in the field of nursing.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in developing, applying and interpreting departmental policies and procedures.

Ability to plan, administer and evaluate programs.

Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Five (5) years of experience in public health nursing including two (2) years in a supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity, and a Master's Degree in Public Health;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a current license to practice as a registered nurse as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners or eligibility for such licensure.