Practice Improvement Specialist - Registered Nurse Senior

Working Title: Practice Improvement Specialist - Registered Nurse Senior
Job Class: Registered Nurse Senior
Agency: Health Department

• Job ID: 93903
• Location: Various
• Telework Eligible: Yes / Remote
• Full/Part Time: Part-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. 
• Date Posted: 06/03/2026
• Closing Date: 06/23/2026
• Hiring Agency: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
• Division/Unit: Health Systems / Health Policy / Health Care Homes
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 24 hours per week between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - Up to 25% of the time
• Salary Range: $41.47 - $61.41 / hourly
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 205 – Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) 
• Anticipated Start Date: 07/29/26
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Are you a nurse leader passionate about transforming primary care and improving patient outcomes? The Practice Improvement Specialist role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of healthcare innovation by partnering with clinics, care teams, and healthcare leaders to advance patient-centered care. As a clinical expert, you will guide primary care practices through meaningful transformation—helping them implement evidence-based strategies, strengthen care coordination, and achieve Health Care Home (HCH) certification.

In this role, you won’t just evaluate care—you’ll help shape it. You’ll collaborate directly with clinicians and healthcare teams, lead certification site visits, provide hands-on coaching, and use data to drive improvements in quality, cost, and patient experience. Your work will have a direct impact on how care is delivered across diverse communities, supporting better health outcomes and more effective, equitable healthcare systems.

Primary responsibilities include: 

• Provide clinical consultation, coaching, and training to primary care teams on evidence-based, patient-centered care models
• Lead certification and recertification site visits, including planning, evaluation, and follow-up with clinics
• Assess clinic performance against HCH standards and deliver actionable recommendations for care improvement
• Analyze clinical data and prepare reports
• Drive practice transformation by supporting quality improvement initiatives, care coordination, and population health strategies

This position will support and serve assigned primary care organizations located in the southern part of the State of Minnesota. Applicants must live within this region which excludes the metro and stretches from the southern part of west central Minnesota in Traverse County, south to Rock County, East to Houston County, and North to Chisago County. Infrequent travel to St. Paul is also required. 

This position is a remote worker position which is defined as an employee who, as a condition of their appointment, has their home or alternative location as the assigned work location, works permanently from that location, and does not have an agency permanent/principal work location.  Currently the MDA does not allow remote work locations outside of the State of Minnesota.  For more information refer to HR/LR Policy #1447 Remote Worker Policy:  https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1447-remoteworker.pdf 

MDH relies heavily on grant funding, in addition to state appropriated dollars. As an agency, we continually monitor funding levels and navigate some degree of uncertainty related to grant cycles and the impact of the grant funding on program priorities.

This position is currently funded and approved to be filled. While the position is funded at this time, future funding is dependent on the continuation of our funding sources. The Minnesota Department of Health works proactively to sustain programs and maintain our workforce, to avoid reductions in force to the very best of our ability. In the event of a loss of funding resulting in a necessary workforce reduction, that process is governed by our collective bargaining agreements and compensation plans.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a current Registered Nurse's license in Minnesota, without restriction.
• Two (2) years of experience working as a Registered Nurse in a primary care or community health setting.
  • A degree in Nursing, Public Health, Health Care Administration, or a closely related field may count towards professional experience as follows:
    • Associates = 6 months.
    • Bachelors = 12 months.
    • Masters = 18 months.
    • PhD = 24 months.

Minimum qualifications that will be assessed during the interview process:

• Experience applying clinical knowledge to support care delivery improvements or patient care management
• Experience with quality improvement methods (e.g., PDSA cycles, performance measurement, or process improvement)
• Experience analyzing clinical or healthcare data and using findings to inform decisions or recommendations
• Experience providing training, education, or technical assistance to healthcare staff or teams
• Applicants must live within Southern Minnesota, which excludes the metro and stretches from the southern part of west central Minnesota in Traverse County, south to Rock County, East to Houston County, and North to Chisago County.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Health Care Home (HCH), Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), or similar care models
• Experience conducting site visits, audits, or formal evaluations of healthcare programs or clinics
• Experience in practice facilitation, coaching, or healthcare transformation initiatives
• Knowledge of population health strategies, chronic disease management, and preventive care models
• Experience working with healthcare certification, accreditation, or regulatory standards

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
• This employment does not require a valid driver’s license, but it does demand travel, which the candidate will be responsible for meeting.

How to Apply 

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Dani Whitney at dani.whitney@state.mn.us or 651-201-3701.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Dani Whitney at dani.whitney@state.mn.us.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Health ADA Coordinator at health.hr.ada@state.mn.us. 

About Health Department 

Come work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving, and all people have what they need to be healthy. Our collaborative, mission-driven work environment is a major factor in promoting a high level of employee health awareness, employee longevity and job satisfaction.

Working together to improve the state we love. 

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common? 

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits 

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include: 

• Paid vacation and sick leave 
• 12 paid holidays each year 
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans 
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children 
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care 
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS 

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.