Program Nurse - Head Start

Job Summary: Under the direction and supervision of the Health Services Manager, this position is primarily responsible for reviewing child health information and advising classroom staff on managing the day to day health needs of Head Start children. The Head Start Program Nurse also provides health education and care coordination for families enrolled in Head Start.   This position assists the Health Services Manager with development and implementation of health service management of children with chronic health conditions according to the Head Start Performance Standards, Minnesota Child Care Licensing and other federal, state, local program guidelines and agency regulations.

Scope of Supervision: Child Wellness Service Provider. As needed- Health Advocates, Health Interns/Volunteers, including any nursing students, throughout the program year.

Essential Functions: 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Nursing Services and Care Coordination:   

• Provide medication administration training per health provider instructions and delegate appropriate tasks to Head Start staff, who are unlicensed assistive personnel. 


• Provide expert opinion on health symptoms and conditions to help triage the child to the appropriate level of care. 


• Promptly refer children who are suspected of having chronic health issues for evaluation.


• Assuring that all healing and vision screenings are completed and referrals are made as needed.


• Review all health histories with health concerns, documenting the concern and determining if the child needs an individualized child care program plan (ICCPP) based on diagnosis and orders from the child’s provider and  coordinating care with the child’s provider for care while the child is in Head Start programming.  


• When a child requires an ICCPP, work with the parent/guardian and support staff to ensure appropriate documentation is obtained from the provider and medication (if needed) is secured for the child as quickly as possible and that medication is reviewed for accuracy before starting school. Ensure primary caregivers of a child on an ICCPP understand the care plan. Fill out the Head Start requirements on the ICCPP for the program. 


• Monitor and respond to contagious and communicable diseases in the classroom, including notification to Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) of any reportable disease.


• Create a medication administration plan when there is medication according to the provider’s orders. 


• Document pertinent information on children with suspected or diagnosed health disabilities in an efficient, timely and accurate manner. Coordinate care with medical offices and partners to help secure treatment for children, as needed. 


• As needed, help source providers for various medical needs of children that accept the insurance carried by the family. 


• Complete two visits, at minimum, to each pregnant participant in our home-based program, one prenatal and one postpartum, to provide health education and support to the pregnant participant and baby. The postpartum visit includes a complete newborn focused assessment to identify any concerns and provide appropriate referral.

Supervision/Health Service Coordination 

• Supervise and establish clear expectations and work schedules for assigned staff. 


• Participate in the recruitment and hiring of new staff. 


• Assist in orientation and training of new Health Team staff. 


• Conduct performance reviews when scheduled and monitor individual staff progress on performance goals and professional development plans. 


• Carry out all personnel functions assigned to supervisors in the agency personnel policies and collective bargaining agreement. 


• Monitor the partnership between nursing colleges and Head Start, placing health volunteers at centers and being the bridge between site supervisor of volunteer and college. Responsible for maintaining and updating, as needed, the paperwork outlining this agreement (e.g., contract, MOU, etc.). 


• Act as a liaison to community school districts, health/dental service providers, and nutrition service providers. Identify and utilize state and community resources for health services. 


• Assist Health Services Manager in building partnerships with health care facilities to ensure that Head Start children obtain needed immunizations, physicals, and dental examinations and treatment. 


• Develop a schedule to complete quarterly classroom walk-throughs to ensure required health procedures implementation


• and accountability. Document quarterly walk-through of each center for health and safety concerns. 


• Review all health policies annually to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and licensing requirements. 


• Attend events, conferences, and family fun, as needed, to provide health education, resources, and support. 


• Provide expert input on data and follow-up for annual reporting requirements, as needed. 


• Attend, participate and provide content, as requested, for the Health Services Advisory Council by the Health Services Manager. 

Training 

• Provide health education/training to Head Start staff, parents, and Ramsey County Community members. 


• Complete necessary training to become a CPR/First Aid/AED Trainer and provide CPR/First Aid/AED training for Head Start and Early Head Start staff, as needed, to ensure staff are certified. 


• Provide leadership and training to all Head Start staff on topics of preventative health maintenance or other relevant health topics, as required by law and Head Start Performance Standards. 


• Train Head Start staff and verify competency on delegated tasks,   as related to children with chronic and life-threatening illness. 


• Facilitate at least two annual health-related workshops for Head Start parents and/or the community. 


• Ensure individualized services are provided for children with health conditions, as ordered by a provider and care plan (ICCPP).

Health Education 

• Responsible for scheduling health education activities at the centers in collaboration with the Center Education Coordinators. 


• In conjunction with the Center Education Coordinator and Family Services staff, coordinate parent education regarding health and safety practices for the home. 


• Collaborates with Health Advocates to support health education topics in home visiting, prenatal visits, and center-based events. 


• Attend socialization and family fun events and provide health information and supplies as needed. 


• Assist in planning and coordinating  two health fairs per program  year. 


• Other duties as assigned. 

Safety: Responsible for conducting all duties in a safe manner, and ensuring that all nursing responsibilities are adhering to the MN Board of Nursing Scope of Practice.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

• AA with RN certification required with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred 


• Active MN Registered Nurse License required 


• Public Health Nurse registration preferred (must be eligible to become registered according to Minn. Rules 6316.) 


• Experience working in a multicultural environment and with multicultural clients is preferred. 


• Minimum of two (2) years general experience with children and families preferred. Prior nursing experience with pediatric populations and families, including health education, in a school or community setting  is highly preferred. 


• Preference for public health training or accreditation. 


• Preference for experience with prenatal and postpartum parents.


• Preference for individuals with experience in care coordination, community health nursing or public health nursing.

Licensing Requirements: MN Registered Nurse License 

Abilities and Skills: In order to be successful in this position, the person will at minimum need to possess the following abilities and  skills: 

• Must possess effective oral and written communication skills. 


• Computer skills, both database and word processing needed. 


• Strong documentation skills required.


• Ability to function effectively with various professional and community groups is necessary. 


• Ability to relate to and communicate effectively with a variety of multi-ethnic and socio-economic groups and/or individuals. 


• Ability to function independently as the primary Healthcare Professional within the organization.


• To ensure compliance with program requirements and the safety of staff and clients, the ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, is required. 


• Must possess strong care planning and care coordination skills.

Driver’s License: Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are needed to accommodate multiple work sites.

Work Knowledge: Knowledge of early childhood development and health conditions and syndromes. Knowledge of community resources and emerging public health needs for vulnerable populations is preferred. Knowledge of local and state daycare health, sanitation, infection prevention, OSHA and Bloodborne Pathogens regulations. Knowledge of early childhood nutrition and lactation is preferred. Proficiency in appropriate delegation as outlined by the MN Board of Nursing is required. Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards is preferred. 

Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift 50 pounds. Must be able to successfully pass the pre-placement Head Start physical exam. 

Mental Requirements: Must be motivated, optimistic, enthusiastic, patient, and a great team player. This position requires an awareness of deadlines, the ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, and the ability to function independently. Must use reading and writing skills frequently, problem-solving and reasoning skills constantly. Capable of using good judgment. 

Environmental Requirements: Flexible work environment: normal office environment plus will spend time weekly at various Head Start Centers in classroom environment; may ride Head Start buses; conducting  home visits is expected. Flexible hours will include occasional evening and weekend work. 

Benefits:  

Department: Head Start 

Starting Salary Range: $59,551.77 - $74,905.45

Locations:  Syndicate Headquarters - 450 Syndicate St N St. Paul, MN 55104 

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 40 Hours/Week, Full Year, Full Time, Regular 

Syndicate Headquarters - Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm 

Hybrid Capability: This position has 10% (4 hours per week) hybrid capability.  

Posting Dates : 9/8/2026 - 9/25/2026 

Benefits: Community Action offers a benefits package for eligible part-time employees, including paid time off (PTO), retirement plan participation, employee discount programs, and more. Employees who regularly work 20 or more hours per week may become eligible for additional benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, based on eligibility requirements.

Background Checks: Community Action conducts criminal background checks at the time of hire. Not all backgrounds are a barrier to employment.  

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) Employer. We recruit, select, hire, place, transfer, promote, demote, layoff, discipline, terminate, recall, compensate, and train without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, directives, and regulations of federal, state, and local governing bodies or agencies. We will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities whenever possible.