Public Health Nurse - WIC

To provide professional and skilled nursing services to patients, as part of a comprehensive public health program promoting physical and mental health in the community.  To carry out programs and provide a variety of individual, community, and/or systems-focused public health interventions to protect and preserve the health of the county's residents.

This position operates under the MNA bargaining unit. Complete 2026 pay scale is $33.98-$44.44/hr. For a complete position description, click here.

Primary caseload will be Women, Infants, & Children (WIC). This posting is being advertised in conjunction with requisition #00869 Health Educator - WIC and 00870 Registered Nurse - WIC. Only one of these three postings will be filled.

This job description indicates the normal type and level of work expected of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as apparent or assigned.

1.    Coordinate comprehensive care for individuals, families, and groups that require extensive services to optimize client's self care capabilities, promote efficient use of resources and referrals, decrease fragmentation of care across settings, provide quality care in least restrictive environment, and promote cost containment.

2.    Provide health care directly to clients; provide health education to clients, family, and the public. Coordinate resources as needed to maintain optimum health in clinic or home setting.  Evaluate impact of nursing interventions; make independent judgments and decisions concerning client's health care and the possible prevention of detriments to the health of the individual, family, and/or community.

3.    Assess physical and mental health needs, as well as educational and counseling needs, of individuals and families; develop and implement plan of care.

4.    Maintain detailed records documenting care provided to clients, as required to meet third party payers and medico legal standards.

5.    Document time, costs, and services provided, including daily statistics and time studies, and maintain accurately; present data in report form.

6.    Make referrals to other medical and community resources, as necessary.

7.    Coordinate and work in one or more related program(s) which may include, but are not limited to:  Disease Prevention and Control, Waivered Programs, Child and Teen Outreach, Child and Teen Check Up Program,  Long Term Care Consultation, Minnesota Breast and Outreach, Immunization Program, Infection Control, Central Referral Team for Special Needs Children, Adult Protection Services, Child Protection Services, MCH Programs, Personal Care Attendant Assessments, WIC, Follow Along Program, TANF family home visits, case management pre-petition screening, Early Hearing Detection Intervention and Birth Defects Program, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, IPI Program, and other programs.  
 

• Depending on the program, may visit homes, conduct screenings and assessments, make recommendations, educate clients, complete required paperwork/computer entry, complete prenatal exposure reports, give immunizations, conduct immunization clinics off site, update immunization protocols and vaccine reaction protocols annually, perform monthly inventory of vaccines and supplies, dispose of pharmaceutical waste per EPA guideline, visit potential public health nuisance sites, etc.  

• May do clinic site visits to evaluate immunization programs and practices within MLC/IC, to ensure they are consistent with MDH guidelines.
 

• May recommend consultation for a child who has not passed a newborn hearing screening, or who was born with a birth defect. Will connect family to resources as needed, and will complete documentation and invoices for services rendered.

• Carry out activities for Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, which includes, but is not limited to: creating and updating emergency plans, providing training for other staff, facilitating quarterly Emergency Preparedness Community Coalition Meetings with Emergency Manager, performing drills or exercises as outlined in work plan, attending trainings, submitting reports and invoices per MDH guidelines.
 

• DP&C nurse will perform duties as outlined in DP&C common Activities Framework, which includes but is not limited to: provide disease surveillance and reporting consistent with MDH. Share surveillance data with providers annually, assess immunization coverage, identify gaps and barriers in immunizations and share data as appropriate, assess health needs of community related to infectious disease, develop and implement screening and referral strategies for high risk groups (ex. TB), maintain and provide consumer education information based on population needs.  Implement local disease control programs, maintain 24/7 emergency access to epidemiological and environmental public health resources capable at providing detection, investigation, and containment/mitigation of PH problems and environmental public health hazards, work with Emergency Management in development and maintenance of Emergency Management Plan, or TB control responsibilities.  
 

8.    Perform duties of RN, including WIC Nurse, and WIC Coordinator as required.  

9.    Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate health and health related programs within the county, for the health and¬ benefit of all county residents.  Coordinate, collaborate, and attend meetings with other community agencies to meet the needs of the community.  May include grant writing and funding searches.

10.    Provide consultation to schools, day care centers, and the community regarding health problems of community populations (e.g., head lice outbreaks, communicable disease control) and individuals.

11.    Teach health education programs to community groups as requested, on topics including, but not limited to: CPR, first aid, Community Health Programs, immunizations, etc.

12.    Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, with Minnesota Registered Nurse License and valid Minnesota Public Health Nursing Certification, and two years nursing experience; OR equivalent combination of education and experience.  One year experience in public health field is preferred.  A valid driver's license is required.  Must successfully complete a criminal history background check.

Certifications in Early and Periodic Screening; Red Cross Certification as Instructor for CPR; First Aid; Parenting; and/or other certifications may be required.  Must satisfy continuing education requirements to maintain valid certification(s).

Candidates will be selected based on a review of training and experience. Top candidates will be invited to participate in oral interviews.