Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse

The Registered Nurse promotes and maintains the health and quality of life of individuals, families, groups, and the community by assessing their needs. Functioning as a professional within the Minnesota Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act, this role fosters independence by helping people recognize, accept, and adapt to health challenges; enhance health knowledge through education and counseling; provides direct nursing services; coordinates care with formal and informal service providers; and participates in community health planning, program implementation, and evaluation.

Registered Nurse Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of individuals and families in homes, clinics, and community settings, addressing physical, mental, social, environmental, and functional health factors.
• Identify complex client and community needs; evaluate risk factors, vulnerabilities, and support systems.
• Develop and implement individualized care plans in collaboration with clients, families, and service providers. Set measurable goals and define interventions.
• Provide ongoing case management for at-risk populations, monitoring service quality, cost-effectiveness, and client outcomes.
• Advocate for clients and make appropriate referrals to community resources. Coordinate services across multiple providers and systems.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, social workers, schools, and community partners to coordinate care.
• Provide skilled nursing care, including medication administration, injections, wound care, catheter and ostomy care, monitoring of vital signs, and labs (e.g. International Normalized Ratio (INR), hemoglobin, glucose).
• Evaluate health status and responses to treatment; modify care plans as needed and identify when changes in medical orders are necessary.
• Assign and orient Licensed Practical Nurses and Home Health Aides to clients and families; direct, support, and provide performance input.
• Educate clients, families, and community groups on topics such as health maintenance, disease prevention, chronic disease management, medications, lifestyle changes, breastfeeding, and parenting.
• Implement and manage disease prevention initiatives, including immunization clinics, tuberculosis assessments and case management, and communicable disease investigations and enforcement. Collaborate with Minnesota Department of Health as needed.
• Maintain vaccine inventory, ensure proper handling and storage, and document immunizations in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Assume leadership roles and complete assigned duties related to public health emergency response; assume assigned NIMS roles and duties during emergencies and drills.
• Conduct pediatric and family health assessments using screening tools and developmental evaluations; follow up on identified concerns.
• Build supportive relationships with parents and children to promote strong parent-child bonds, using evidence-informed curricula and infant mental health strategies.
• Coordinate public health programs and clinics (e.g., Women-Infants-Children (WIC), Family Home Visiting, MnCHOICES, Home Health Care), ensuring alignment with goals, staffing, budget, and compliance.
• Represent the agency and its programs on committees and in the community to promote public health.
• Assist with community health assessments to identify high-risk populations and service gaps, contributing to community health improvement planning efforts.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community groups and individuals to support environmental, system, and policy changes for healthier communities.
• Participate in community-based coalitions to analyze health data, set goals, and implement health improvement strategies.
• Conduct intakes and screen new clients; explain available services and determine eligibility based on agency criteria.
• Identify opportunities for quality improvement and participate in initiatives in alignment with agency guidelines.
• Contribute to program planning, agency goal setting, strategic planning, and evaluation of programs and policies.
• Apply a health equity lens across all program areas and support policy development addressing social determinants of health.
• Implement work and provide support to advance the foundational public health responsibilities within the agency.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in accordance with state and federal standards (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, Waiver programs, HIPAA).
• Accurately document and code client visits per agency protocols and payer requirements to ensure proper billing and reimbursement.
• Use electronic health records and systems (e.g., OMAHA, IHVE, Nightingale Notes) to document assessments, care plans, and outcomes following established procedures for each public health program area and the agency.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development to maintain licensure and stay current with public health and nursing best practices.
• Perform other related work assignments as directed or as it becomes apparent.

Internal interactions with: County departments and staff, County Board of Commissioners, County Administration

External interactions with: Public, Minnesota Department of Health, Health Care Agencies, Schools, Home and Community-Based Services, Community Groups, Organizations and Businesses, Insurance Agencies, Local Public Health Departments

Qualifications and Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Education and Experience:

• Associate Degree in Nursing or RN Diploma from a school accredited by the National League of Nursing.
• Minnesota Registered Nurse license.
• Minimum of three (3) years related experience.
• Twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education credits every two (2) years.
• Valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of public health principles, including program development, health promotion, health assessment methods, and behavior change theories. Knowledge of nursing principles, clinical syndromes, disease epidemiology and prevention, common illnesses, medications, and medical treatment protocols. Proficient in concepts related to social determinants of health, health equity, and data analysis methods. Experience in policy development, performance management, quality improvement, goal setting, and outcome evaluation. Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including HIPAA and privacy practices. Strong understanding of customer service principles and community resources.

Skill in oral and written communication, including public speaking, group facilitation, writing, proofreading, and interpersonal communication. Experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating health programs, as well as improving processes, procedures, and policies. Proficient in problem-solving, data collection, drawing valid conclusions, and interpreting technical and regulator documents. Competent in computer skills including use of related software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Adept at leveraging community resources, building collaborative partnerships, and conducting effective client interviews. Capable of managing client caseloads, performing medical procedures, and applying basic mathematical functions, including percentages and graph interpretation.

Highly motivated and self-directed, with a strong work ethic and excellent time management, organizational, and decision-making skills to manage multiple complex projects. Adaptable and resourceful in dynamic healthcare and cultural environments, using sound judgment and problem-solving under pressure. Able to de-escalate tense situations involving clients experiencing stress, anger, or aggression. Respond effectively to inquiries and complaints from clients, agencies, and the community. Ability to apply public health principles with cultural sensitivity and work effectively with interpreters. Demonstrate leadership, professional ethics, caseload management, and compassionate care while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Physical Demands:

This role occasionally involves exerting up to 25 pounds of force. It typically involves sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting. Standard vision and vocal communication are necessary for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, as is hearing at normal levels. Work regularly requires exposure to environmental conditions such as outdoor weather conditions, occasional exposure to fumes or smoke or airborne particles, exposure to blood borne pathogens or communicable diseases, and exposure to hostile animals and insect infestation; may be required to wear personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, mask, gown). Work is frequently performed in a client's home. Work locations might have moderate noise levels (e.g., business office, light traffic). Regular driving is required throughout the county. Flexibility in hours, including evenings and occasional weekends, may be required.

Travel Required: Yes. Travel within business day