Nurse Specialist - Homeless Health Services - Health & Social Services Division

Salary: $59,493.00 - $74,366.00 Annually
Location : HAMILTON COUNTY HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES, Chattanooga, TN
Job Type: FULL TIME
Job Number: 05/25/2026 - 1628
Division: HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES DIVISION
Department: Federal Homeless Project
Opening Date: 05/25/2026
Closing Date: 6/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Description
The Hamilton County Health & Social Services Division has a responsibility to respond quickly and efficiently when public health emergencies occur. All Hamilton County Health & Social Services Division employees are responsible for ensuring their contact information is current and they are accessible should a public health emergency arise. The Hamilton County Health & Social Services Division maintains a call down system to store contact information and mobilize staff in the event of an emergency. During a public health emergency, all staff are required to respond should a call to mobilize be made. During a public health emergency, work hours for any and all Hamilton County Health & Social Services Division employees are subject to modification to meet the needs of the community.
Under general supervision, provides mobile medical services and/or social counseling, support, and clinical case management to the homeless population in an outpatient or outreach setting.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, physical requirements, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.)

Tasks
Conducts and coordinates clinical outreach/offsite services to homeless or potentially homeless people at shelters, parks, campsites, streets, vacant buildings, and any other location where homeless people may be found. Works both independently and as a member of the comprehensive medical team. Develops linkages within the larger community to facilitate referrals of people who may be homeless and in need of services.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics
Knowledge of federal, state, and county laws, rules, regulations, policies, practices, and procedures related to provision of Public Health Professional Nursing services.

Knowledge of professional Registered Nurse medical methods, practices, and procedures.

Knowledge of community and county medical, social, and behavioral services.

Knowledge of quality reviews and audit methods, practices, and procedures.

Knowledge of specialty methods, practices and procedures related to area of assignment.

Knowledge of patient chart documentation, recordkeeping, case management, and specialized medical procedures related to area of assignment.

Skill utilizing specialized medical equipment utilizing proper universal health and safety precautions.


Skill managing upset and/or confrontational patients/clients or family members.

Skill reading, analyzing, and interpreting medical research, reports, tests, and information.

Skill utilizing verbal and written communication in providing presentations, counseling, educational materials, and instructions related to medical information.

Skill providing case management to indigent or underserved populations.

Skill utilizing customer service/public relations techniques when responding to inquiries and complaints.

Skill establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral form.

Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor's Degree or an Associate's Degree in Nursing. Must possess an active Registered Nurse (RN) licensure or eligible for licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse. Current CPR Certification and a valid driver's license are required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Prior work experience in working with homeless populations and/or serving in a clinical lead position.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
This position is deemed essential/situational during inclement weather situations and must report to or remain at work, even when administrative closings are announced, as determined by the Department Head.
Prior to operating a County-owned vehicle, all employees are required to complete the HC Defensive Driving course and/or or an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) provided at the department level.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :
Work requires long periods of standing, walking, lifting medical supplies or patients weighing up to 50 pounds, assisting patients in transfers to examination tables, performing routine lab work such as blood draws and specimen collection, extensive contact with infectious diseases, mentally ill or combative patients, home visits, case management and attention to detail. Some positions require occasional after hours on-call duties.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Any overtime hours offered in this position are not guaranteed, are an estimate, and are subject to change.
All positions within Hamilton County Government are considered work in-person and require regular and punctual attendance.
All positions within Hamilton County Government may require work on Holidays or weekends. Additionally, irregular hours and shift work may be required, including possible extension of shift hours, at times with short notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Hamilton County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or


disability in employment or the provision of services. A copy of Hamilton County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) & Utilization Report is available on the County's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office home page.




Hamilton County Government

Meeting the needs of the people where they live, work, and play!
Hamilton County, Tennessee offers a lower cost of living, ease of getting around, a lively arts tradition, and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Working for Hamilton County Government provides many great benefits - take a look at a few of those highlighted below...
On-Site Employee Health Clinic

• No copay to utilize clinic services.
• Clinic services include routine office visits, sick visits, labs, flu shots, and more
• TextCare - Access to care 24/7 via TextCare, which is direct, unlimited access to medical care 24/7 through text message.

(Employee access to the clinic is available from day one. A covered spouse or dependent has access as soon as their health plan coverage is effective. Children age 3 and up who are covered by the County's insurance are eligible to be seen.)

• Telehealth - Two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and a practitioner through telecommunications, which may include audiovisual options.
• One to One Provider Network - Availability to utilize a network of providers that provide a high level of care at a lower copay/cost.
• Health Management Programs - Offered to help employees and their family members in managing the following health conditions: Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), and Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)
• Nutritional guidance - Nutritional education provided to assist in making the appropriate food /health choices.

On-Site Employee Pharmacy

• Low-cost prescriptions available to those covered under the County health plan.
• Over the counter items offered at cost.
• RxLocal App - Mobile app provides a convenient way to stay connected and manage your health. Through the app you can request refills and ask questions.
• On-site Pharmacist available to answer questions and provide information.

Hamilton County Government offers competitive insurance coverage to fulltime employees.
Medical coverage is offered through Cigna to fulltime employees. The County pays a generous portion of the medical premium. Two options are available to choose from: LCP (Local Cost Plus) and OAP (Open Access Plus).

• The LCP has a smaller network that includes most providers and hospitals, with the exception of Parkridge facilities/providers.
• The OAP is a national network of facilities/providers that includes most providers/hospitals, including Parkridge.

Dental coverage is a voluntary benefit available to fulltime employees. Three coverage options are offered: Cigna High Plan, Cigna Low Plan, and Sun Life DHMO.

• The Cigna High Dental Plan covers orthodontia for children up to age 18. A national network of dental providers is available to choose from and this plan offers out of network coverage.
• The Cigna Low Dental Plan does not cover orthodontia. A national network of dental providers is available to choose from and this plan offers out of network coverage.
• The Sun Life DHMO plan is a prepaid dental plan that offers benefits through a network of plan dentists. A dental provider must be selected when enrolling and services must be provided by that provider for benefits to apply.

Life Insurance/Accidental Death and Dismemberment is provided through Symetra. The County provides $30,000 of Basic Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage at no cost to fulltime employees.


Additional voluntary benefits fulltime employees have access to enroll in are as follows:

-Individual Short-Term Disability (STD) -Voluntary Long-Term Disability (LTD)

-Flexible Spending Account-Health Care -Flexible Spending Account-Dept. Care

-Flexible Spending Account-Transportation -Accident Insurance

-Critical Illness Insurance -Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Hamilton County Government Retirement for Fulltime Employees:

Pension - Legacy Plan (hired prior to 10/1/2015), in which the employer contributes 14.70%.


Pension - Hybrid Plan (hired on or after 10/1/2015), in which the employee contributes 5% and the employer contributes 4%.


401K - Employer contributes 5% and the employee can contribute the amount of their choice.


457b - Employees have the option to contribute to this plan if they choose.
Pre-Retirement Seminar:

Hamilton County Human Resources provides a pre-retirement seminar to those considering retirement, two times per year (1st and 3rd quarter of each year). Seminar topics covered may include:

• Health insurance assistance, Medicare info and counseling.
• Internal steps to take when an employee is ready to retire.
• Estate Planning
• Personal Financial Planning
• TCRS (Tennessee Consolidated Revenue Service) - Ham. County Pension
• Deferred Compensation/457 Plan - Nationwide
• Social Security Benefits

Parental Leave:

Hamilton County provides eight (8) weeks of paid maternity leave and two (2) weeks of paid paternity leave following the birth of a child or placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption (age 13 or younger) or foster care.
Paid Time Off :

Hamilton County Government provides generous paid time off (PTO) to fulltime employees from the start of employment.

• Years 1 - 5: an employee will accrue 5.85 hours of leave, per pay period.
• Years 5 - 10: an employee will accrue 6.77 hours of leave, per pay period.
• Years 11-15: an employee will accrue 8.31hours of leave, per pay period.
• Year 15 and each year thereafter, an employee will accrue 8.93 hours of leave, per pay period.

At each anniversary, an employee can roll over up to 80 hours of unused PTO into their leave bank. (Up to 800 hours for employees hired on or after 1/1/2013).
Paid Holidays:

Hamilton County Government provides thirteen (13) paid holidays to fulltime employees.

New Year's Day Independence Day


M.L. King's Birthday Labor Day

President's Day Veteran's Day

Good Friday Thanksgiving (2 days)

Memorial Day Christmas (2 days)

Juneteenth
Wellness Facility:

Hamilton County Government provides a 24/7 fitness center, free of charge, to County employees and family members (age 14+) covered under the County's health plan. The fitness center offers cardio and strength-training equipment, along with group exercise classes throughout the year. (which may include Zumba, spin, yoga, etc.)
01


To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, applicants must possess a Bachelor's Degree or an Associate's Degree in Nursing. Must possess an active Registered Nurse (RN) licensure or eligible for licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse. Current CPR Certification and a valid driver's license are required.Do you meet all of the minimum qualifications for this position?

• Yes, I meet all of the minimum qualifications for this position.
• I meet some of the minimum qualifications for this position.
• No, I do not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

02


What is your highest level of education completed?

• I do not have a GED or High School Diploma.
• GED
• High School Diploma
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03


If you indicated you possess a degree, please tell us the field of study your degree is in.
04


How many years of direct work experience do you have in nursing?

• No experience
• Minimal, less than one year.
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• 3-4 years
• 4-5 years
• 5-6 years
• 6-7 years
• 7-8 years
• 8-9 years
• 9-10 years
• 10 years or more

05


How would you describe your skill level using Microsoft Outlook?

• No experience - I am unfamiliar with Microsoft Outlook.
• Basic- I occasionally use Microsoft Outlook at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Average - I use Microsoft Outlook at least once a week at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Advanced - I use Microsoft Outlook daily at my current (or at a previous) job.

06


How would you describe your skill level using Microsoft Word?

• No experience - I am unfamiliar with Microsoft Word.
• Basic- I occasionally use Microsoft Word at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Average - I use Microsoft Word at least once a week at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Advanced - I use Microsoft Word daily at my current (or at a previous) job.

07


How would you describe your skill level using Microsoft Excel?

• No experience - I am unfamiliar with Microsoft Excel.
• Basic- I occasionally use Microsoft Excel at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Average - I use Microsoft Excel at least once a week at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Advanced - I use Microsoft Excel daily at my current (or at a previous) job.

08


Do you possess a Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure?

• Yes
• No

09


Do you possess a current and valid Tennessee Registered Nurse (RN) license?

• Yes
• No

10


Do you possess a current and valid CPR certification?

• Yes
• No

11


Do you have direct work experience with homeless populations and/or serving in a clinical lead position?**Preferred but not required

• Yes
• No

12


Are you fluent in both English and Spanish? This is not a requirement for the position.

• Yes
• No

13


Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

14


Have you ever served in the United States Armed Forces?

• Yes
• No

15


The answers you provide in the "Supplemental Question" portion of the application will be used to review/process your application. Once this job posting closes, your answers to the supplemental questions cannot be changed. Have you reviewed your answers and verified they are correct?

• Yes
• No

Required Question