Public Health Nurse, Public Health Division, Human Services Department

Salary

Stearns County Mission: Provide Exceptional Public Services to Assure a Safe, Healthy, Vibrant County for All.
Stearns County Values: Professional | Approachable | Responsive | Collaborative | Fair & Equitable

Stearns County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, public assistance status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Are you a Nurse looking to be part of a multidisciplinary team that focuses on engaging our community? Consider joining our team in the Public Health Division of Stearns County Human Services. This position is especially ideal for someone interested in a variety of opportunities to deliver care to a diverse population. If you are interested in empowering others towards positive change and genuinely care about people, this position is ideal for you. Stearns County derives strength from the diversity of its workforce and provides a welcoming environment where all are respected and valued.

Current assignment - Health Protection and Promotion Unit:

• Current tasks may focus on disease assessment, treatment and prevention, including vaccines, case management, and access to health care. Nurses work collaboratively with community partners to ensure communities achieve health parity. All PH Nurse assignments include working with WIC clients to assess nutrition needs for families through the WIC program including breastfeeding promotion.

Position Objective
To provide nursing services to individuals and families; implement care plans in diverse communities; and improve community health by emphasizing prevention especially relevant to development of health equity. This position will focus on program services including family home visiting, parenting support, outreach and referrals, parent support groups, and WIC program. Our programs improve families lives on a daily basis within a team environment of people dedicated to health equity.
   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.
   
1. Assesses clients in the home, office, a community facility, or other places of residence to provide comprehensive holistic needs assessments.
2. Develops, implements, and evaluates nursing service or care coordination plans; authorizes services for delivery by others involved with a client.
3. Provides nursing services, care coordination, crisis intervention, disease prevention and treatment, health promotion, case findings, and advocacy for clients.
4. Counsels and educates families and community groups in activities that promote a higher level of wellness and reduce the risk of disease.
5. Participates in assessing and determining WIC eligibility and provides referrals to other social services to ensure families are thriving and children have the nutritional support to grow and develop well.
6. Provides and coordinates internal and external client referrals; gathers documentation to assist clients in obtaining services and accessing community resources.
7. Communicates with medical providers and performs delegated medical functions, including technical procedures as indicated by the client's individualized plan.
8. Documents nursing interactions and maintains client records as required by department policy, program requirements and the MN Nurse Practice Act.
9. Interprets department or county policies or other agencies' standards or requirements and coordinates services with others to achieve effective and efficient services.
10. Participates in a variety of interdisciplinary meetings and client conferences.
11. Participates in student educational experiences based on objectives developed by the school and applicable activities identified by the Division.
12. Performs daily triage to determine acuity and evaluate referrals specific to eligibility for services.
13. Uses data to drive practice and develop continuous quality improvement processes.
14. Participates in implementation of response to public health emergencies, disasters or disease outbreaks.
15. Attends work regularly and in a timely manner.
16. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications 
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following:

•    Bachelor's degree or higher in nursing
•    Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Minnesota or have the ability to obtain within 90 days of employment
•    Certification as a Public Health Nurse in Minnesota or have the ability to obtain within 90 days of employment
•    Valid Minnesota Driver's License or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment
•    Reliable means of transportation to travel to multiple locations around Stearns County, some of which may not be accessible by public transportation

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Knowledge of the Minnesota Nursing Practice Act.
2. Knowledge of the practice of Public Health nursing theory and its application in the community.
3. Knowledge of behavior as it relates to individuals, family dynamics and systems, physical and mental illness, chemical dependence, developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, severe emotional disturbances, and aging in order to maintain optimal health.
4. Knowledge of the socioeconomic factors which promote and maintain optimal health for individuals, families and communities.
5. Knowledge and utilization of appropriate community resources and services.
6. Knowledge of child welfare laws, the vulnerable adult act and the court system.
7. Knowledge of methods and instruments for collecting quantitative and qualitative data and ability to apply that to drive nursing practice.
8. Skilled in multiple languages.
9. Ability to make independent decisions.
10. Ability to analyze and evaluate complex and crisis situations and assist individuals and families in resolving those situations.
11. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees 
1. Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's mission and values.
2. Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
3. Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
4. Informs immediate supervisor of all important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
5. Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
6. Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
7. Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.  
 
Work Environment and Physical Demands 
The primary responsibilities for this position will be performed approximately 100% of the time indoors. Will require frequent travel to off-site locations and minimal attendance at evening meetings. The majority of the work is in the field at client homes and community events. Will have limited exposure to health hazards and accidents; requires a low level of physical effort. All employees are required to reside within the state of Minnesota.

Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided 
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Human Services Supervisor.  
 
Responsibility for Public Contact 
Frequent.

Hours of Work 
This position has a normal work schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; may include some hours outside of normal work hours on occasion.
 
Interview Date
If you are selected to be interviewed for this position, interviews will be on February 10, 2026. Invitations to interview will be sent to the email address listed on the job application and will be based upon an assessment of education and experience.

Benefits

To view Stearns County benefits go to: Stearns County Benefits Page

If you require special accommodations to participate in the Stearns County hiring process, please contact us at 320-656-3606.