PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

Job Description

Position/Program Information

EXAM NUMBER:
PH5230H

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:
We welcome applications from anyone!

FIRST DAY OF FILING:

The application filing period will begin on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. (PT) - Continuous

We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

No withhold will be allowed. Required experience must be fully met at the time of filing and clearly indicated on the application.

WHY WORK FOR US?

We offer one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country, including diverse healthcare choices, and strong retirement plans. For more information about the outstanding benefits offered by Los Angeles County, please visit us here: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/

ABOUT THIS POSITION:
We are pursuing qualified candidates to fill Public Health Nurse positions within the Department of Public Health. This position provides public health nursing services in a facility or in the field, at the individual, family, and systems levels.

For more information about the classification standards for this position, please visit the following link: Public Health Nurse

Essential Job Functions

What will I do as a Public Health Nurse ?

• Identifies health issues in a specific area or population by monitoring patients in clinics, homes, and the community. Evaluates these problems and provides nursing services or recommends appropriate health services, including primary care, environmental health, or social services involvement.
  
• Identifies adverse findings during initial assessments and takes appropriate actions in accordance with policies and procedures.
  

• Documents information during initial and ongoing assessments in accordance with policies and procedures.
  
• Prioritizes assignments in accordance with program manual guidelines and standards and community public health needs.
  
• Manages a caseload of patients or consults on patients within an assigned geographical area by determining priorities for the follow-up of patients' physical and mental health problems and patient and family health needs that may require home evaluations, nursing care, and other services.
  
• Performs and interprets diagnostic procedures and administers therapeutic treatments and preventive measures in accordance with medical orders or standardized procedures.
  
• As directed by supervisor, conducts investigations, makes nursing diagnoses, and makes responses in connection with the health problems of a geographic area or target population; assists in setting priorities for public health nursing action based on public health program goals and improvement objectives related to community and system-level interventions.
  
• Collaborates with patients and providers to identify needs and desired outcomes based on patients' value and belief systems and documents these findings in accordance with applicable policies and guidelines.
  
• Researches and reviews current trends and practices in the field of public health in order to identify appropriate nursing interventions.
  
• Identifies, interprets, and implements public health laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  
• Leads and participates in group discussions with patients and partners on matters concerned with the health status of the population.
  
• Participates in epidemiological investigations to identify and locate persons who have, or are suspected of having, infectious diseases in order to encourage and ensure their treatment; counsels involved persons on examination and treatment needed to prevent further spread of the disease and treat the existing condition.
  
• Provides public health education and training to various groups through public speaking, multimedia presentations, and written materials to explain the function of public health and its roles and services in order to improve individual, family, and community health outcomes and encourage community members to become more responsible for the community's health.
  
• Promotes collaboration and dialogue between the agency and community-based organizations to identify community health priorities within the community.
  
• Involves the target group and other health professionals, organizations, and partners in formulating encouraged public health outcomes.
  
• Integrates and applies current standards and emerging trends, statutes, regulations, policies, and research in nursing and public health-related fields during the planning process.
  
• Facilitates and takes part in group discussions with health professionals and community members to offer mentorship and support for improving community health.
  
• Participates in systematic and ongoing criterion-based evaluations of expected goals and outcomes concerning the population of interest.
  
• Participates in public health emergency response as needed.
  
• Orients and instructs new staff concerning agency policies, procedures, and practices.
  
• Collaborates with community groups to implement new policies and changes to existing policies designed to improve public health outcomes.
  
• Provides technical supervision to lower-level nursing employees and ancillary staff, as assigned.
  
• Travels to various destinations within an assigned service planning area to investigate healthcare crises to contain and mitigate; c onducts field based evaluations; visits homeless encampments, various facilities or establishes mobile clinics supporting homeless population.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:
A license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
-AND-
A California Public Health Nurse Certificate.

REQUIRED LICENSES:

• The Registered Nurse License issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing must be current and valid without limitations or restrictions.
• For information on how to obtain a California State Public Health Nurse Certificate, click on the link: http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/ad-pract.shtml

• A valid California Class C Driver License is required to carry out job-related essential functions*. All positions in this classification, depending upon assignment, require possession of a valid California Class C Driver License to perform job-related essential functions.
• A current certification in accordance with the American Heart Association's Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (CPR & AED) program*. All positions in this classification require possession of a current certification in accordance with the American Heart Association's BLS for CPR & AED program to perform job-related essential functions.

Applicants must ensure the License and Certification Section of the application is completed for the Registered Nurse License and Public Health Nurse Certificate . Provide the title(s) of your required license(s), the number(s), date(s) of issue, date(s) of expiration and the name(s) of the issuing agency for the required license as specified in the Requirements to Qualify. Provide the information at the time of filing or e-mail to HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov within fifteen (15) calendar days from application submission o r your application may be rejected as incomplete.

PHYSICAL CLASS:

Physical Class III - Moderate: Includes standing or walking most of the time, with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching; includes working on irregular surfaces, occasionally lifting objects weighting over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
*Applicants must attach a legible photocopy of their BLS certification and valid California Class C Driver License to their application at the time of filing or e-mail the documents to hrexams@ph.lacounty.gov within fifteen (15) calendar days of filing.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION:
Additional credit will be awarded to candidates that possess the following desirable qualifications:

• Experience as a Registered Nurse in a hospital, skilled nursing facilities or related health facilities. ( Applicants claiming experience in a state other than California must provide their Registered Nurse License Number from that state on the application without the required license number will not be considered. Without the Registered Nurse License Number, the experience will not be considered. )

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT:
This assessment type will evaluate the training and experience you list on a questionnaire and assign a score based on a standardized scoring system.

This part of the assessment is worth 100% of your total score and assesses: Requirements and Desirable Qualifications.

Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the assessment to be added to the Eligible List .
Passing this examination and being added to the Eligible List does not guarantee an offer of employment.

ELIGIBILITY & VACANCY INFORMATION:

Applicants who passed the assessment(s) are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Department of Public Health as they occur.

AVAILABLE SHIFT:

Any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION :

HOW TO APPLY:

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.

If the application and/or Supplemental Questionnaire is/are incomplete, the application will be REJECTED.

We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:

For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. Check the website for updated information at https://lacountylibrary.org .

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

DO NOT SHARE USER ID AND PASSWORD:

All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI):
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the in equalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Department Contact Name: Exam Analyst

Department Contact Phone: (213) 684-8726

Department Contact E-mail: HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov

Examination Number: PH5230H

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

ADA Coordinator Phone: (844) 914-1006

Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099

Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077

For detailed information, please click here

Closing Date/Time: Continuous