Nurse

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. 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.

Salary: 

LPN $26.01/hour 

RN $28.01/hour 

FLSA Status: This is a non-exempt position. 

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

This position works 240 days per year, 7.5 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work assignments and projects. 

Department: Early Learning 

Location: Head Start Administrative Office, 2302 Ocoee St, Chattanooga, TN 37406 

SUMMARY: 

Chattanooga Head Start is a grant-funded program, and is subject to reapplication every 5 years. The Head Start Nurse supports the health and wellness of enrolled children and families by providing health assessments, ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, coordinating health services, and promoting a safe, healthy learning environment. This role works collaboratively with families, staff, community providers, and program administrators to ensure that every child receives comprehensive health services. 

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. 

Health & Wellness Coordination: 

● Coordinate with Family Support Professionals to ensure every child completes their physical and dental exams within 90 days of enrollment. 

● Will perform vision, hearing, and growth screenings within 45 days of enrollment, per Head Start Performance Standards (HSPS). 

● Monitor and maintain Individual Health Plans (IHPs) for children with chronic medical conditions, collaborating with parents and healthcare providers and training staff on their implementation. 

● Monitor all classroom first-aid kits for completeness and ensure medications are stored correctly, with proper documentation logged in the ChildPlus system.

Record-Keeping & Compliance: 

● Obtain and review children's health histories and immunization records to ensure they are up-to-date. 

● Maintain comprehensive and strictly confidential health records for all enrolled children. ● Utilize the ChildPlus system to monitor health requirements, track follow-ups, and generate required reports. 

Family & Community Engagement: 

● Communicate effectively with parents regarding their child's health status, providing education and follow-up information after screenings. 

● Provide referral assistance to families, helping them connect with community health resources. ● Assist families with the logistics of scheduling necessary medical and dental appointments. ● Occasionally provide health-related training and support during parent meetings. 

Team & Program Support: 

● Provide technical support and assistance to the Health Manager for parent meetings, the Head Start Policy Council, and advisory committees. 

● Train staff on health practices, including medication administration, first aid, CPR procedures, and management of health conditions (e.g., asthma, EpiPen use). 

● Perform all duties within the professional scope of practice for a Licensed Practical Nurse to support the Head Start/Early Head Start Health component. 

● Performs other duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

● Graduation from an accredited LPN program minimum required. 

● Graduation from an accredited RN program is preferred. 

● Currently licensed/registered in the State of TN or Compact State License in state of residence. Must maintain a minimum active Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) license in good standing throughout employment. 

● Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered. 

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

Licensure as LPN or RN required for hire; must be maintained throughout the term of employment. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 

Knowledge of: 

● Knowledge of child and family health, which includes prevention concepts, and an interest in learning skills such as hearing and vision testing. 

● Intermediate knowledge of computer applications, word-processing software in a Windows environment and ability to learn and master other computer technology /software as needed. ● Knowledge of diseases and disease processes.

● Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards. 

● Knowledge of health, human development, community health, nursing principles, practices and procedures. 

● Knowledge of HIPPA/FERPA laws as it relates to student records. 

● Skills in: 

● Ability to recognize problems in the area of health and/or child safety. 

● Ability to relate well and maintain effective working relationships with staff, children, parents and other agencies. 

● Ability to exercise professional judgment in evaluating before making decisions and maintain all information in strict confidence. 

● Able to work effectively in a team environment. 

● Ability to work on databases, and spreadsheets. 

● Ability to carry out oral and written directions; write correspondence independently; make routine decisions; communicate effectively; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; be flexible and receptive to change. 

● Ability to work creatively and skillfully with children. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Employees in this position must have the ability to sit for extended periods of time, enter data into a computer terminal, operate standard office equipment, and use a telephone. Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone. Speak so that others may understand at normal levels and on the telephone. Stand, walk, and bend over, reach overhead, grasp, push, pull and move, lift and/or carry up to 20 pounds to waist height. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. 

This position is classified as Medium Work in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, which require all staff—regardless of job function—to support the health and safety of children. This may include the direct supervision of children and/or the ability to respond promptly and effectively during emergencies at a Head Start center. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

● Safety Sensitive: N 

● Department of Transportation - CDL: N 

● Child Sensitive: Y 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: 

This position is subject to pre-employment screenings, which include a background check, drug screening, lift test, TB screening questionnaire and/or TB skin test (as determined by initial results),

complete physical examination, Hepatitis B titer, and fingerprinting. Ongoing requirements include a physical reexamination on an annual or bi-annual basis and fingerprint clearance every five years. 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 encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

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