JOB TITLE: COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE ADMINISTRATOR

JOB CODE: 30840

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Community Health Nurse series describes professional nursing work in a community health district or state health center.

DEFINITION: This is administrative and professional nursing work in a public health district.

An employee in this job directs a nursing program in a public health district to meet the mission and objectives of the department. Work involves administering a generalized public health nursing program; supervising professional and non-professional nursing and support staff; planning and implementing public health programs which utilize nursing personnel; advising on nursing practice issues; planning and conducting special studies in nurse utilization; and evaluating the nursing program in a district to determine if agency objectives are being met. Employees are responsible for ensuring that appropriate in-service education is provided to all nursing staff and that there is adequate educational resource material available. Work is received in the form of oral or written instructions, and employees are expected to work independently in directing a nursing program. Work is reviewed by a district executive director for compliance with established departmental policies.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • This work is distinguished from the lower level jobs by the responsibility for directing a public health nursing program, which includes participating in the development and implementation of related policies.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Reviews staff assessments of district public health needs.

• Plans and implements public health programs in a district based on staff assessments.

• Ensures adequate nursing staff within a district.

• Prepares program implementation plans for appropriate utilization of public health nurses and support personnel.

• Ensures standing nursing orders developed by central office are implemented in a public health district.

• Develops orientation format for new nursing personnel.

• Directs the career student nurse field practicum in cooperation with university faculty.

• Directs, participates in, and analyzes results of surveys, studies, and special projects.

• Confers with district directors, medical directors, and specialized consultants on program implementation and problem resolution.

• Serves on intra-departmental task forces and special committees.

• Presents professional papers at staff meetings and conferences.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of public health practices such as education and intervention.

• Knowledge of public health nursing theories and practices.

• Knowledge of environmental hazards impacting health.

• Knowledge of public health and human services agency resources.

• Knowledge of disease prevention and health promotion principles.

• Knowledge of public health demographics.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemic and endemic disease control.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Four years of professional community or public health nursing experience supplemented by two years of experience supervising registered nurses;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes three years of professional community or public health nursing experience supplemented by two years of experience supervising registered nurses.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require active authorization to practice as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania.

• All employees possessing an active temporary practice permit must obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse within the one (1) year period defined by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.