Public Health Nurse

Job Description

Salary: $65,304.00 - $78,894.00
Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*
Work Location: 6098 Debra Road, Chattanooga, TN
FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.
Department: CD Community Health

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:
The Public Health Nurse delivers community health initiatives, health education, care coordination, and disease prevention programs to eliminate barriers to care, improve health literacy, and address health disparities across assigned neighborhoods. Clinical responsibilities include administering immunizations, conducting routine biometric screenings, and providing minor acute care (e.g., wound care and first aid), but will not diagnose conditions. The position serves as a central point of contact for community members, coordinates outreach events, designs educational materials, collects health data, and measures health outcomes.

SERIES LEVEL:
The Public Health Nurse is a stand-alone position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

Performs nursing assessments and triage of patient care needs for new and ongoing patients.


Oversees the planning, scheduling, and implementation of day-to-day clinical activities and procedures for navigated patients.


Works with physicians and other primary care providers to facilitate, coordinate, and ensure patient access.


Central point of contact for all navigated patients, including interaction with medical, nursing, and ancillary services.


Educate patients, families, and the public on health, disease prevention, and related health factors; serve as a key information resource for community members, healthcare professionals, and students.

Collect and report data from patients on barriers, health care, medications, and prior treatments. Track order completion and follow-up.


Monitor patient compliance with patient treatment plans.


Assist patients with referrals to outside resources and care coordination as needed.


Follow established policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.


Collaborate with medical providers, patient care staff, and clinic/facility management in the planning and implementation of patient and staff education.


Design, develop, and implement culturally competent health education materials for children and adults based on developmental level and literacy needs.


Address the high prevalence of chronic diseases. Improve health literacy and reduce inequalities among the populations in assigned neighborhoods.


Support health-related events hosted by other departments, centers, and other non-profits.


Develop health curriculum for health courses in the community, being mindful of cultural competence and health literacy levels.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.


May be required to work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends, as operational needs dictate.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):
None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Associate degree in Nursing with five (5) years of directly related experience, or a Bachelor's degree with three (3) years of relevant experience, covering the specified duties and responsibilities. Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

Will be required to submit immunization records for review for required vaccines and TB testing. Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.

A post-offer, pre-employment physical examination/medical history check may be a requirement for some positions.

Must provide proof of varicella immunity or obtain varicella vaccination within 90 days of employment.

Fingerprinting and subsequent clearance are required for this position.

May be required to complete department-specific professional development activities.

Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to comply with the facility/organization's influenza and COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Valid Driver's License
Must have active Registered Nurse licensure for the state of Tennessee or a multistate license.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certified

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of supportive care principles and techniques for patients; Critical thinking skills; related accreditation and certification requirements; ethical principles and federal and state regulations governing the participation of human subjects in biomedical research; principles and procedures of clinical research; Ability to perform nursing assessments and patient triage; educate patients and/or families as to the nature of disease and to provide instruction on proper care and treatment; Ability to plan, implement and evaluate individual patient care programs; Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards; Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports; Basic knowledge of managed care; Ability to read, understand, follow and enforce safety procedures; Ability to work autonomously; Ability to maintain emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stressors; Strong organizational and coordination skills; Strong interpersonal skills; Ability to prioritize and reprioritize quickly; Ability to recruit, evaluate, and instruct clinical research subjects and volunteers; Strong written and verbal communication skills; and Ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative, customer service oriented, team environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: Y
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: Y

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

KNV 10/20/2026

260882 KS/KM

About Us

Join the City of Chattanooga Team


Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future-famously powered by the nation's first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network. The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City," the first of its kind in the United States.


Our Organization


As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

• Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
• Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
• Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
• Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
• Innovation: Leading-edge smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.

Why Choose Chattanooga?


The City of Chattanooga's workforce is the heartbeat of our community, highlighted by our Work For America - Spotlight. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees. .
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
• The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground: Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it. As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
• Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
• Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
• Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.

Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you'd like to call Chattanooga home - or maybe you already do! -and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we'd love to talk to you.