Head Start- Nurse

Salary:

LPN $26.01/hour

RN $28.01/hour

FLSA Status: This is a non-exempt position.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

This position works 240 days per year, 7.5 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work

assignments and projects.

Department: Early Learning

Location: Head Start Administrative Office, 2302 Ocoee St, Chattanooga, TN 37406

SUMMARY:
Chattanooga Head Start is a grant-funded program, and is subject to reapplication every 5 years.
The Nurse will assist in planning and providing for children's medical and dental services at designated centers. This includes: scheduling screenings and referrals; follow up and documentation on identified medical and dental problems. Assists in providing a variety of health and dental related services to assure that Federal Performance Standards of Head Start/Early Head Start are met. In coordination with Family Support Advocates, the Nurse will also be responsible for monitoring and providing a comprehensive confidential record keeping system of information and services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and

Responsibilities.

Health & Wellness Coordination:

Coordinate with Family Support Advocates to ensure every child completes their physical and dental exams within 90 days of enrollment.

Work with Health Technicians to facilitate vision, hearing, and growth screenings within 45 days of enrollment, per Head Start Performance Standards (HSPS).

Develop and maintain Individual Health Plans (IHPs) for children with chronic medical conditions, collaborating with parents and healthcare providers and training staff on their implementation.

Monitor all classroom first-aid kits for completeness and ensure medications are stored correctly, with proper documentation logged in the ChildPlus system.

Record-Keeping & Compliance:

Obtain and review children's medical histories and immunization records to ensure they are up-to-date.

Maintain comprehensive and strictly confidential health records for all enrolled children.

Utilize the ChildPlus system to monitor health requirements, track follow-ups, and generate required reports.

Family & Community Engagement:

Communicate effectively with parents regarding their child's health status, providing education and follow-up information after screenings.

Provide referral assistance to families, helping them connect with community health resources.

Assist families with the logistics of scheduling necessary medical and dental appointments.

Occasionally provide health-related training and support during evening parent meetings.

Team & Program Support:

Provide technical support and assistance to the Health Coordinator for parent meetings, the Head Start Policy Council, and advisory committees.

Perform all duties within the professional scope of practice for a Licensed Practical Nurse to support the Head Start/Early Head Start Health component.

Drive to various sites as needed to transport supplies or perform health-related services.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited LPN program minimum required.

Graduation from an accredited RN program is preferred.

Currently licensed/registered in the State of TN or Compact State License in state of residence. Must maintain a minimum active Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) license in good standing throughout employment.

Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Licensure as LPN or RN required for hire; must be maintained throughout the term of employment.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of:

Knowledge of child and family health, which includes prevention concepts, and an interest in learning skills such as hearing and vision testing.

Intermediate knowledge of computer applications, word-processing software in a Windows environment and ability to learn and master other computer technology /software as needed.

Knowledge of diseases and disease processes.

Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.

Knowledge of health, human development, community health, nursing principles, practices and procedures.

Knowledge of HIPPA/FERPA laws as it relates to student records.

Skills in:

Ability to recognize problems in the area of health and/or child safety.

Ability to relate well and maintain effective working relationships with staff, children, parents and other agencies.

Ability to exercise professional judgment in evaluating before making decisions and maintain all information in strict confidence.

Able to work effectively in a team environment.

Ability to work on databases, and spreadsheets.

Ability to carry out oral and written directions; write correspondence independently; make routine decisions; communicate effectively; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; be flexible and receptive to change.

Ability to work creatively and skillfully with children.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Employees in this position must have the ability to sit for extended periods of time, enter data into a computer terminal, operate standard office equipment, and use a telephone. Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone. Speak so that others may understand at normal levels and on the telephone. Stand, walk, and bend over, reach overhead, grasp, push, pull and move, lift and/or carry up to 20 pounds to waist height.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

This position is classified as Medium Work in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, which require all staff—regardless of job function—to support the health and safety of children. This may include the direct supervision of children and/or the ability to respond promptly and effectively during emergencies at a Head Start center.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Safety Sensitive: N

Department of Transportation - CDL: N

Child Sensitive: Y

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position is subject to pre-employment screenings, which include a background check, drug screening, lift test, TB screening questionnaire and/or TB skin test (as determined by initial results), complete physical examination, Hepatitis B titer, and fingerprinting. Ongoing requirements include a physical reexamination on an annual or bi-annual basis and fingerprint clearance every five years.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

JES 7.23.25