ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NURSING

Job Specifications

Class Code: PD8 Analyst: RRP/KT/JS/LM/MM/SC

Date Originated: 3/89 Date Revised: 3/93,9/95,2/05,11/15, 1/24

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under direction, assist in the planning, organization, and  evaluation of  nursing services in  Public Health or other major health division; provide leadership and support regarding the nursing scope of practice and professional development  and perform other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is responsible for assisting in the planning, organizing and evaluation of nursing services and for program development and operations within the nursing scope of practice of nursing and other professional staff in one or more public health units or major health division programs.  Incumbents will assist in developing program goals, objectives, outcomes, policies, and procedures, including quality improvement/assurance, and workforce development and has responsibility for preparation and administration of assigned budgets.  This class differs from the next higher class of Director of Nursing in that the latter is responsible for overseeing the operations of all nursing services in the County's health programs.

TYPICAL TASKS

· Assist in managing, directing, and evaluating nursing services in one or more public health units, or major health division;

· Coordinate activities with administrative, medical and other staff;

· Review, update and develop new program protocols, quality metrics, policies and procedures;

· Maintain positive public relations with State, local health jurisdictions, and community agencies;

· Act as a liaison and work collaboratively with other divisions, agencies, departments and organizations;

· Keep informed on current research, trends and issues affecting public health nursing units;

· Make recommendations to the Director of Nursing and the Health Officer;

· Represent Public Health Division in state, regional, and local networks, coalitions and meetings;

· Assist in the planning and organization as well as schedule, assign and review the work of nursing and other professional staff; 

· Plan, develop and direct orientation and training for newly hired staff;

· Secure staff replacements for illness, vacation and other absences;  

· Assure that nursing staff is appropriately trained and that staff attend special training as required;

· Reviews applications, interviews, selects, hires and  develops performance standards;

· Prepare employee evaluations;

· Monitor and solve difficult personnel issues;

· Perform all levels of progressive discipline;

· Draft, analyze and review reports, documents and correspondence related to health care programs in assigned units;

· Prepare reports for submittal to the Board of Supervisors;

· Develop, prepare, monitor, administer, and evaluate budgets, grants and contracts;

· Prepare grant application and administer grant funded and contracted programs and services;

· Conduct analyses to solve management problems;

· Oversee and ensure that records systems are  securely and accurately maintained;

· Provide direct nursing services;

· Respond effectively in emergency situations;  

· Input, access and analyze data using a computer; 

· Coordinate and conduct staff meetings;

· Complete special projects and assignments;

· May provide vacation relief for other classes as required.                           

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Working knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of Public Health, Public Health Nursing, Epidemiology, and communicable disease response and Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response;
• Principles and practices of grant and proposal preparation, budget, and public budgeting and reporting;
• Principles and practices of personnel management, supervision, training and development, labor relations, and public relations;
• Principles and practices of program planning and evaluation;
• Principles and practices of scientific research methodology and statistics;
• Preventive medicine and environmental health and control and prevention of the spread of communicable diseases;
• Principles, practices, and trends in the public health field and the core competencies of public health practice;
• Principles, practices, and trends in the nursing field and public health nursing field including maternal and child health, HIV Services and home visiting;
• Planning and delivery of clinically related services including knowledge of the health system and patterns of referral;
• Quality assurance and improvement;
• Health laws, codes, and regulations including federal health care reform and implementation strategies.
• Working knowledge of principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate multi-disciplinary public health programs and services including Public Health Nursing;
• Appropriately interpret laws, regulations, and policies and be able to make decisions based on those interpretations;
• Make use of demographic and bio-statistical data for program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation;
• Prepare and present budgets;
• Analyze programs and services and their cost-effectiveness;
• Identify and articulate most current cultural patterns influencing community health practices;
• Identify and articulate current trends in nursing and health care;
• Speak and write effectively to diverse audiences;
• Respond effectively in emergency situations;
• Maintain liaisons with private and public agencies;
• Maintain effective working relationships with other departments, officials, and employees of other agencies;
• Proficiency in various computer applications such as Microsoft Office and database management software;
• Plan and implement in-services and on-the-job training programs;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative, medical and non-medical staff within department and from other agencies departments and the general public;
• Express ideas effectively in oral and written form;
• Respond effectively in emergency and stressful situations;
• Make effective, reasonable and responsible decisions in emergencies and take appropriate action;
• Oversee and ensure that records systems and medical records are accurately maintained according to HIPPA regulations;
• Apply first aid and CPR, which requires stamina and coordination;
• Rapidly move to and respond to an emergency medical situation.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Three years of professional nursing experience in a public health setting, including at least two years of supervisory and/or management experience.   Masters degree in Public Health, Nursing, Health Administration or other related field is desirable. 

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Registered Nurse License issued by the State of California.
• Some positions may require possession of a valid Public Health Nursing certificate issued by the State of California.
• Possession of a valid CPR certificate. 
• Possession of a valid California class C driver license or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
• Fingerprinting is required.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None
Bargaining Unit: 11
EEOC Job Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 56
Workers' Comp Code: 0290