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Form of workUnder the supervision of the Immunization Clinic Supervisor, seeks to protect the community from vaccine preventable disease by providing education and immunization services to community residents. Assesses the immunization status of clients, administers vaccines, and educates clients and caregivers about immunizations matters. Provides information and administers vaccines to international travelers.
1. Assesses and evaluates the immunization status and needs of clients and Health Department staff through the knowledge of current vaccine preventable disease, immunization guidelines, vaccination schedules, state, federal, and international requirements, and client medical history. Interprets international immunization records.
2. Educates clients and caregivers about the importance of immunization, following recommended immunization schedules, possible side effects of immunizations, and aftercare.
3. Triages telephone calls from various professional and non-professional sources regarding immunizations, vaccine safety, lice treatments, and vaccination requirements for international travel.
4. Draws up vaccines according to manufacturer's instructions and administers them using safe and proper techniques and a system of double checks to ensure accuracy. Administers and evaluates tuberculosis skin tests and refers clients as needed per protocol.
5. Completes appropriate client and clinic records to ensure correct vaccines are administered and documented.
6. Works with diverse cultures including non-English speaking clients to overcome barriers to obtaining health care. Counsels and advises clients using interpreters as necessary.
7. Reports cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children and adults to the proper authorities in accordance with department policy and state law.
8. Monitors the immunization status and requirements of high risk Hepatitis B and C clients in accordance with the State of Michigan and County Health Department guidelines.
9. Provides travel consultation by assessing routine, required, and recommended immunizations for international travel. Develops and implements individualized careplans for client education, prophylaxis, and referrals as needed. Collaborates with practice physicians to maintain quality standards of care.
10. Participates in off-site Vaccination Clinics in the community including regularly scheduled and seasonal clinics. Transports biologicals, sharps, and other required supplies to clinic sites in a safe and secure manner and administers vaccines. Provides immunization expertise to staff at monthly, off-site immunization clinics.
11. Assesses and evaluates blood pressure and counsels and refers as needed utilizing current protocols.
12. Evaluates clients for the presence of lice and educates clients and caregivers on their control and prevention. Dispenses treatment according to current protocol.
13. Serves as a resource and trains physician office personnel in the administration and assessment of immunizations using current state standards. Provides training in Vaccination Clinic activities to newly hired nurses, visiting nurses, medical assistants, and medical students.
14. Researches, develops, and implements presentations for continuing education credits for Health Department nurses and community health car workers.
15. Participates in community events such as health fairs to promote increased rates of immunization.
16. Prepares for and responds to emergencies, such as a communicable disease outbreak, within a clinic or in the community at large. Responds to medical emergency situations in the clinic such as vaccine reactions, child injuries, and signs and symptoms of chest pains.
17. Ensures that client records are kept secure and confidential and maintained consistent with Health Department policies and procedures and HIPAA standards. Educates clients and families on their rights as related to privacy of medical information.
18. Oversee the work of support personnel in the absence of the clinic supervisor. Serves asliaison with other county departments to assess new employee's immunization needs and to administer required immunizations, tuberculosis tests and blood work.
19. Makes specific individual nursing judgments using immunization guidelines and Center for Disease Control and Red Book as resources.
20. May conduct annual, state-mandated site visits for Vaccine for Children (VFC) providers to ensure compliance with VFC guidelines for vaccine storage and handling procedures, screening and documentation methods, and to ensure that providers have the most current immunization resource materials available.
21. May maintain and audit Material Data Safety Sheets (MDSS).Other Functions
22. During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to but not limited to those in his/her job description.
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employees may be expected to perform.)
Education: Graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
Experience: Two years of nursing experience, preferably in a physician's office or similar setting.
Other Requirements: Possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Michigan.
The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.
Physical Requirements: [This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements]:Restraining children while administering vaccinations.
Stooping and bending to examine clients.
Ability to lift, carry, and transport equipment and supplies.
Ability to access office files.
Ability to enter and access information using a computer.
Travels to other locations in the community.
Working Conditions:
Works in office and clinic conditions.
Often works under very disruptive conditions.
Exposure to communicable diseases and blood and other bodily fluids.
12/3/2003 NP/CN-01Employment Type: Regular Full Time
