Closing Date: May 31, 2026
$35.91 to $47.29 DOQ

Title: MCH - Public Health Nurse

Updated: 4/27/2026

Department: Health and Human Services

Reports to: Family Health Supervisor

Position Status: Full-Time; Appointed; Union; Non-Exempt 

Job Location: North Branch HHS/Public Health

Position Objective

Performs public health services to the general public, assessing client needs, referring clients to resources, documenting treatments and maintaining related paperwork, collecting and providing data for reporting requirements, and related work. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Family Health Supervisor.                                                

Essential Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Public Health Nursing Program Activities: Performs professional public health nursing services focusing on prevention including family planning, child health, adult health, sexually transmitted disease, preparedness, communicable disease, breast and cervical cancer control program, refugee health, tuberculosis, immunizations, and primary care. May provide emergency preparedness services, infectious disease control, immunizations and other services.

• Infectious Disease Example: Provides tuberculosis control, other communicable disease investigation, vaccination clinics, deals with emerging public health issues. Conduct risk assessment, perform screening tests, administer treatment per protocol.
• Maternal/Child/Newborn Health Example: Provides health education and home visits. Assesses reproductive goals, performs screening tests.
• Provides health assessments and education centered on pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting.  
• Nutrition and breastfeeding support.

Perform Communication Activities

Refer clients to internal/external resources.

• Determines whether client should be referred to an internal/external resource.
• Recommends to the client an internal/external resource that will provide appropriate services.
• Provides case management services as needed.

Document Client Treatment

• Use electronic health records to document data related to client assessment, care plan development, implementation and evaluation, and interventions.
• Provide written reports on care to health care provider as needed.
• Write discharge summary based on assessment, visits and documentation.
• Provide data to complete grant requirements on Chisago County PH grants received by Family Health Program.
• Provide data to other community partners as needed.
• Complete minor parent form and have available to Chisago County Human Services.

Travel (travel time only)

• Travel to client’s home to provide family health care services.
• Travel to clinics, inspections, or meeting sites to provide services or attend meetings.
• Deliver and/or pick up supplies, equipment, etc. to and from home settings, schools, community service organizations, etc.

Assess Client Physical Condition

Collect Client Health Data

• Complete Family admission database to obtain social/physical history and physical assessment, including immunization status.
• Complete all MCH forms per program area.
• Identify situations that are potentially life- threatening.
• All documentation is in an EHR.
• Take and record client's general physical measurements such as height, weight, temperature, pulse, respiration, and OFC (head circumference).
• Perform routine assessments and screenings related to infant/child growth and development, women who are pregnant or postpartum and newborns.
• Obtain specimens as needed, blood sample via finger stick for lead or hemoglobin testing, and pregnancy testing.

Develop Care Plan

• Utilize electronic health record system for care plan development including goals related to knowledge, behavior and status for each identified problem area.
• Formulate care plan with the client.
• Modify care plan in response to changes in clients/families’ status.
• Determine appropriate interventions to address potential and actual problems.

Implement and Evaluate Care Plan

• Coordinate delivery of care.
• Work collaboratively with client and others, as appropriate, to achieve goals outlined in the care plan using strength-based goals.
• Make appropriate agency and community referrals.
• Perform emergency/necessary life-saving measures such as CPR or first aid.
• Assess and evaluate for changes in client/family and change care plan accordingly.
• Make recommendations to other service providers or professional staff for changes in client’s care plan.
• Review and maintain safety in the home and of infant and children.

Perform administrative activities.

• Conduct or attend meetings, seminars, and special functions.
• Staff cases with supervisor and/or MCH Team.
• Follow policies and procedures of the department.
• Participate in public health activities such as the county fair, health fairs, education classes at schools, special projects, and other community events.
• Participate in reflective practice supervision as required.

Conduct or participate in training and/or educational opportunities.

• Attend classes, courses, seminars, workshops and participate in on-the-job training.
• Share information with appropriate staff regarding the training received.
• Read publications and current information regarding practices and the nursing and public health nursing profession.

Other Duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the application of nursing practices and public health nursing theory.
• Ability to apply principles of public health to communities, families, and individuals and to provide nursing care to clients.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, agency staff members, other agency professional representatives and the public.
• Ability to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills to new situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and make independent decisions.
• Ability to assess nursing needs and to develop and carry out nursing care plans.
• Knowledge of family home visiting and electronic documentation systems.
• Employee must have demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently in a wide variety of computer programs and systems.
• Must be able to maintain positive working relationship with County Attorney, County Administration, Department Administrative team, and other county and community committees, State offices of the State of Minnesota for miscellaneous programs.
• Demonstrates adherence to and knowledge of HIPAA and Data Practices in work assignment.

Desired Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (PHN) preferred, or Registered Nurse with 1 year experience in related field, or 2-year RN working towards a BSN.

Special Qualifications

Current Minnesota Registered Nurse License

Certification as PHN

Current BLS certification

Tools and Equipment Used

Blood pressure cuff, phone, syringes, computer/laptop, telephone, copier, scale, hemacue, car, color vision book, Snellen H&V charts, stethoscope, pulse oximeter, infant, and adult scales.

Working Conditions

The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands, physical agility, sensory requirements, and environmental exposures required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• This classification regularly involves physical agility requirements such as: climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, pushing, pulling, repetitive motions and manual dexterity.
• The work environment is a combination of both the office and the field. When out of the office the employee may be subject to adverse weather such as hot and wet and/or humid in the summer and cold and wet in the other seasons. The noise level can range from moderately quiet in the office to loud and noisy in the field.

Physical Exertion (Pounds)

Up to 10

Up to 25

Up to 50

Up to 100

100 or more

Applicants for appointment to this position will be required to submit a formal application and may be subject to rating of education and experience, oral interview and/or reference check, background investigation, criminal history check, drug testing.  Job related tests may be required of any applicant.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee as is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.