Health Services Specialist
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: TI65
Class Code: 8160
Established: 07/01/1979
Revised: 10/16/1996
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under administrative direction of a Program Director and professional direction of the Coordinator of Nursing Services in a State hospital, is responsible for the ongoing monitoring, assessing, and making of recommendations for the maintenance of quality nursing services with primary emphasis on the physical care needs of clients in a program on an assigned shift; assures education and training in nursing care is provided to unit personnel; and performs other related duties.
Typical Tasks
Evaluates health problems and nursing care needs of the clients; makes nursing assessments of clients; monitors the delivery of nursing services in the program and makes recommendations to the Coordinator of Nursing Services and Program Director as needed to maintain quality nursing services particularly in the area of physical care; evaluates the professional proficiency in which nursing observation and care is provided; assures that any unusual behavior or symptom of any client is reported to the Unit Supervisor and physician and recommends a plan of treatment; evaluates client's response to medication; advises in the prevention, detection, and control of communicable diseases and the reporting thereof through the Public Health office; monitors the use of restraint and seclusion with respect to the client's physical condition; performs nursing audits in accordance with facility policy and procedures as directed by the Coordinator of Nursing Services and the Program Director; provides nursing care during emergencies; may participate in the selection of nursing staff; may act as liaison between home unit and acute hospital facility to monitor the progress of clients who are temporarily transferred for acute hospital care; consults with the Coordinator of Nursing Services and the Program Director in the review of duty statements for nursing personnel; serves as a nursing resource person and consultant to the Program Director.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of the legal requirements to practice as a professional Registered Nurse in California as determined by the California Board of Registered Nursing. (Applicants who are in the process of securing approval of their qualifications by the California Board of Registered Nursing will be admitted to the examination, but they must possess all legal requirements as determined by that Board before they will be eligible for appointment.) and Either I Bachelor of science degree with a major in a health-related field and one year of nursing experience working with mentally or developmentally disabled persons.
Or II
One year of experience performing the duties of a nursing classification comparable in level of responsibility to a Registered Nurse, Range B, in a California state hospital working with mentally or developmentally disabled persons.
Or III
One year of experience directing the nursing services of a State hospital level-of-care unit during an eight-hour shift working with mentally or developmentally disabled persons.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: California healing arts licensure laws and regulations, regulations pertaining to hospital licensing, certification, and accreditation; principles and practices used in training nursing services staff of a treatment program; professional nursing principles and techniques; concepts and methods of consultation; principles of specialized treatment and training techniques as they relate to mentally or developmentally disabled persons; and program organization in California state hospitals.
Ability to: Evaluate and monitor the quality of nursing services with specific emphasis on physical care; plan, conduct, and evaluate training for the nursing services staff of a treatment program; work effectively with a multidisciplinary clinical staff; perform evaluations and write reports; and communicate effectively.
Special Personal Characteristics
Demonstrated leadership ability; sympathetic and objective understanding of the problems of mentally or developmentally disabled persons; tact; patience; and emotional stability.
