Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 7/26/2024
• 8/2/2024
• 8/16/2024
• 9/6/2024
• 9/20/2024
• 10/4/2024
• 10/18/2024
• 11/1/2024
• 11/15/2024
• 12/6/2024
• 12/20/2024

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

• PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE II - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

3292

For PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE II, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-03292

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Selection Services Unit
  1215 O Street, MS 14
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Selection Services Unit
  1215 O Street, MS 14
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a valid license as a registered nurse and a valid certificate as a public health nurse in California. (Applicants who do not meet these requirements will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the required license and certificate before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) and Either IOne year of experience performing the duties of a Public Health Nurse I in the California state service.

Or II Experience: Two years of experience as a public health nurse in a generalized public health nursing program; and

Education: Completion of a university or collegiate program of study approved for public health nursing.

Applicants must submit their exam applications AND complete the exam during the same cut-off period.  For example, if you submit your exam application on July 8^th, 2024 (which is after the July 5^th, 2024 cut-off) you must complete the exam by July 19^th, 2024.

Filling Cut-Off Dates are listed at the beginning of the exam bulletin.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Components that are due with your application will be scored and will count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items may result in disqualification or elimination from the examination.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of nursing as applied to public health practice, and preventive medicine and sanitation; community aspects of nursing programs including provisions for continuity of patient care, nursing services in school health programs, and nursing care in the home including teaching the preventive aspects; causes and means of transmission and methods of control of communicable diseases, including tuberculosis and venereal disease; child growth and development and procedures involved in promoting maternal and child health and in providing for health needs of the school child; principles and purposes of public health programs; environmental, sociological, and psychological problems encountered in carrying on a rural health program; current literature and trends in public health nursing; work of other social and health agencies and functions of other professions as related to public health nursing; sociological and emotional problems involved in care of handicapped and crippled children and other afflicted persons and those accompanying the occurrence of tuberculosis, venereal disease, and chronic diseases; principles of mental health.

Ability to: Exercise independent judgment and plan, organize, and carry out community public health nursing activities in a local area or in an institution; work effectively with individuals or families to assist them in satisfactory solution of health problems; provide leadership in community health programs; secure the cooperation of and work effectively with individuals and agencies; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; speak and write effectively.

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE II Classification will be established for:

• State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Instructions: 
Rate your knowledge performing specific job-related tasks, knowledge skill or ability.

Tasks:

1. Reviewing patient data regarding specific infectious diseases to determine if they are health care associated and community acquired, or meet the criteria for an infection.
2. Maintaining a surveillance system for conducting infection tracking, data analysis and epidemiological studies. 
3. Coordinating appropriate intervention measures when clusters are identified to resolve the issue.
4. Discussing with internal/external stakeholders and other appropriate staff regarding concerns about infection control issues in order to resolve problems and address concerns.
5. Participating in stewardship for patient treatment outcome to prevent antibiotic resistance in accordance with standards of care.
6. Coordinating immunization status of all patients and make recommendations for immunizations to Physicians and Nurse Practitioners.
7. Overseeing administration and documentation of all immunizations to patients to ensure appropriate procedures are utilized.
8. Coordinating Vaccine Information Sheets (VIS) and consult about vaccinations to all patients who are to receive a vaccination in accordance communicable disease control (CDC) policy.
9. Preparing infection control reports using data from surveillance system per hospital policy.
10. Making routine visits to all areas of the hospital to identify problem areas in order to reduce healthcare associated infection.
11. Responding and resolving employee concerns about infection control issues by providing information and explaining policies and procedures.
12. Monitoring patient care areas to ensure that standard transmission precautions are utilized to prevent disease.
13. Conducting periodic compliance monitoring to assess employee compliance with hospital infection control procedures.
14. Acting as a liaison with local, state, and federal public health agencies regarding reportable conditions and/or infectious disease of patients and employees.
15. Developing and consulting with occupational health personnel or employee clinic to ensure employee mandated programs are in compliance. 
16. Developing infection control training for all employees using training materials, manuals, and established curriculum in compliance with hospital policy, Licensing, and accreditation standards.
17. Conducting epidemiological investigations as needed using data and interviews.
18. Evaluating effectiveness of infection control/public health programs and make necessary changes as needed.
19. Developing and revising public health and infection control policies and procedures using Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines or current standards of practices.
20. Participating in multi-disciplinary efforts to achieve compliance to standards relating to public health and infection control in order to maintain the Joint Commission accreditation and comply with all Federal and State regulations.
21. Acting as a consultant for the purchase of infection control related products and personal protective equipment.

KSACPs:

1. Knowledge of principles and practices related to Public Health Nursing.
2. Knowledge of infectious diseases and infection control practices that will break the chain of infections.
3. Knowledge of research principals in investigating Infection Control/Public Health Nursing issues.
4. Knowledge of filing and record systems in order to maintain important information.
5. Knowledge of policies and procedures related to research methodology and analysis.
6. Knowledge of survey, data gathering techniques, and observations to compile information for projects and assignments.
7. Knowledge of methodologies and standard protocol for keeping sensitive data confidential and secure.
8. Knowledge of current laws and regulatory agency standards (e.g., the Joint Commission (JC), Licensing) as they pertain to infection control.
9. Ability to organize and keep records of relevant materials.
10. Ability to use word processing software in order to create and format written documents.
11. Ability to use word processing software to input data and create formatted tables and/or graphs.
12. Ability to develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with peers, hospital staff, and outside agency contacts as appropriate.
13. Ability to review memos, reports, and procedures clearly and concisely.
14. Ability to write and prepare memos and reports using proper spelling, grammar, syntax, and sentence structure.
15. Ability to plan, organize, and carry out infection control/public health nursing activities.
16. Ability to work effectively with patients in the management of infectious or communicable diseases.
17. Ability to use multiple sources to obtain the necessary archival information (e.g., written materials, internet research) needed to assist medical staff related to infection control.
18. Ability to read and comprehend various documents such as policies, procedures, standards, and reports.
19. Ability to clearly and effectively communicate ideas, research findings, and/or information orally to the public and outside agency contacts.
20. Ability to consult with and advise facility administrators or other interested parties on a subject-matter area related to infection control/public health.
21. Ability to work independently on projects or assignments without close supervision or detailed instructions to maximize organizational performance and productivity.
22. Ability to effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment in order to uphold Equal Employment Objectives (EEO), State, and Federal Regulations.

• Department of State Hospitals
• State of California

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of State Hospitals reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.