Child Wellness Nurse

A positive future for every child

Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development. The first five years of life are the most critical in a child’s development. At Southwest Human Development, our services improve lives and help families by supporting young children and their caregivers during this important time.

Your skills, experience, and passion are needed at one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to early childhood development. Join our team and experience a long-term career which brings joy and satisfaction in knowing you make a difference.  We offer over 40 programs and services to more than 140,000 children.

Why choose us?

• Make an impact in a child’s life by promoting child health and development.


• 401(k) matching every paycheck, and generous paid time off.


• Opportunities for continued professional growth and development.


• Supportive and collaborative work environment.

Job title: Program Child Wellness Nurse

The Program Child Wellness Nurse is responsible for promoting and supporting the health, safety, and well-being of children enrolled in the Head Start program in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), CACFP requirements, Arizona Child Care Licensing Regulations, Caring for Our Children standards, and Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) guidelines. The nurse oversees health services, monitors child health records, immunizations, screenings, and follow-up care, and collaborates with families, healthcare providers, and program staff to ensure children receive comprehensive health services.

In this role you will:

• Provide health education to children, families, and staff


• Support management of chronic health conditions and special health care needs


• Assist with communicable disease prevention, response, and control


• Conduct ongoing health and safety monitoring


• Ensure accurate documentation and regulatory compliance


• Develop and maintains partnerships with medical, dental, and behavioral health providers


• Expand access to healthcare services to improve child and family wellness outcomes


• Serve as a liaison between families and community health resources


• Help address barriers to care and promotes preventive health practices


• Serve as a health resource and subject matter expert for staff and families


• Support continuous quality improvement initiatives related to health services


• Promote overall family well-being through education and support


• Contribute to school readiness by supporting healthy child development

What it takes:

• Current and unrestricted Arizona Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing.


• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher.


• Minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience in pediatrics, public health, community health, school health, family practice, or a related field.


• Working knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), Arizona Child Care Licensing Regulations, CACFP requirements, Caring for Our Children standards, and Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) guidelines, or the ability to obtain such knowledge within a specified training period.


• Experience reviewing and maintaining health records, immunization documentation, health screenings, and follow-up care plans.


• Knowledge of child growth and development, communicable disease prevention, health and safety practices, and management of chronic health conditions in young children.


• Ability to collaborate effectively with families, healthcare providers, community agencies, and multidisciplinary program staff.


• Experience developing or maintaining partnerships with community health providers and coordinating referrals for medical, dental, behavioral health, and other support services.


• Strong organizational, documentation, and case management skills.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic health or record management systems.


• Ability to pass all required federal, state, and program background checks and meet Head Start employment requirements.


• Possess an insured & reliable vehicle and a valid AZ driver’s license.


• Reliable transportation and ability to travel to program sites and community partner locations as needed.


• Valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card - OR - must qualify for a valid Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card


• DES Criminal Affidavit Required


• AZ DHS Criminal History Affidavit Required


• FPC DPS Verification Required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three or more years of experience in pediatric, public health, school nursing, or Head Start settings.


• Experience with family-centered services, care coordination, and community health partnership development.


• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills.

Learn more!

Our core values embody Southwest Human Development’s commitment to services that uplift the lives of children, families and other care providers, and the communities in which they live. These values are intended to guide the professional development, ethical conduct, and skilled practice of all our staff, whatever their specific role within the agency. All staff are valued as making essential contributions to strengthening the foundation that Arizona’s children need for a great start in life. Learn more about our values and benefits here.