What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Health Nurse II - Immunization Coordinator position at Nash County, NC?
General Statement of Duties
Primary Purpose of Position:
1.Serves as the Primary Vaccine Coordinator
2.To provide nursing services through the various medical programs within the Department. Interviews, counsels, assists, and treats patients in Maternal Health, Family Planning, Women’s Health, Adult Health, Child Health, Immunization, STD/HIV, Tuberculosis and Communicable Disease clinics.
B.Work Schedule:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Occasional extended hours or weekends for community health fairs, flu shots, etc. Hours may vary depending on the services of the department.
Essential Duties and Tasks
Primary Vaccine Coordinator (Nashville & Rocky Mount Office)
Responsible for assessing, planning and coordinating the Immunization Program (VFC, State and Private)
Responsible for vaccine management, storage, handling and administration.
Maintains current immunization program policy and standing orders.
Orders, tracks and records inventory and ensures proper inventory control as well as reconciles immunizations with NCIR and EHR to ensure accurate daily counts.
Plans and coordinates off-site immunization clinics including scheduling, providing forms and assuring sufficient personnel are notified and present for the expected number of clients. Assures appropriate inventory type and quantity as well as temperature maintenance. Targeted community outreach to expand immunization off-site clinic offerings.
Provides immunization reports to Public Health Nursing Supervisor, Health Director, Health Educator, and state consultants on the prevalence of disease, areas for improvement, possible outbreaks, and other demographic or social economic breakdowns associated with vaccination health.
Conducts program reviews annually and as needed. Participates in Program audits and Quality Assurance.
Prenatal Program
Completes an initial or interim medical and psychosocial history.
Takes blood pressure and orders appropriate lab tests.
Provides education and counseling regarding medical and psychosocial problems identified.
Provides appropriate education and counseling (ex., nutrition, danger signs of pregnancy).
Dispenses appropriate medications and/or vitamins and iron according to the Department’s Pharmacy Policy and Procedures and Prenatal Policy, Procedures and Standing Orders.
Initiates necessary referrals.
Documents findings and all activities in the patient’s medical record according to the Department’s Medical Record Policy.
Women’s Preventive Health Program
Completes an initial or interim medical and psychosocial history.
Takes blood pressure and orders appropriate lab tests.
Provides education and counseling regarding medical and psychosocial problems identified.
Provides education, counseling, and instructions regarding methods of birth control and method chosen.
Dispenses appropriate medications and/or birth control method according to the Department’s Pharmacy Policy and Procedures and Family Planning Policy, Procedures, and Standing Orders.
Updates immunizations per Standing Orders.
Initiates referrals for abnormal findings and needs identified.
Document’s findings and all activities in the patient’s medical record according to the Department’s Medical Record Policy.
Child Health Program
Completes child’s initial and or interval medical, psychosocial, developmental, family, and dietary history.
Reviews and dates pre-visit questionnaire (alerts provider of identified concerns).
Performs visual acuity and hearing screening, obtains height and weight, and takes blood pressure on infants and children as outlined in the current Health Check Billing Guide. Takes temperature, pulse, and respirations on infants and children as needed.
Provides dental varnishing educational information and applies topical fluoride varnish per Standing Orders of the Child Health Program.
Orders appropriate lab work per Provider instruction and/or Standing Orders.
Dispenses or administers medications and immunizations according to the Standing Orders of the Child Health Program and the Pharmacy Policy and Procedures.
Documents findings and all activities in the patient’s medical record according to the Department’s Medical Record Policy.
STD/HIV Program
Completes an initial or interim medical and sexual history.
Orders appropriate lab tests.
Provides education and counseling regarding problems identified.
Dispenses or administers appropriate treatment according to the STD Policy, Procedures, and Standing Orders, and according to the Department’s Pharmacy Policy and Procedures.
Provides pre and post test HIV counseling.
Updates immunizations per Standing Orders.
Initiates referrals for abnormal findings and needs identified.
Documents findings and all activities in the patient’s medical record according to the Department’s Medical Record Policy.
Adult Health Program
Completes an initial or interim medical and psychosocial history.
Takes blood pressure and orders appropriate lab tests.
Provides education and counseling regarding problems identified (ex., chronic disease and disease prevention).
Dispenses medications according to the Department’s Standing Orders and Pharmacy Policy and Procedures (ex., treatment for vaginitis).
Updates immunizations per Standing Orders.
Initiates referrals for abnormal findings and needs identified.
Sends letters to patients with cholesterol and titers results. Abnormal cholesterol patients are sent Healthy Eating and Foods to Avoid literature.
Documents findings and all activities in the patient’s medical record according to the Department’s Medical Record Policy.
Other Duties
Attends workshops, seminars and planning meetings to update skills and knowledge and improve Immunization Program as well as other clinic programs.
Provides leadership and oversight to new nursing staff and nursing students.
Assists with general clinic patients; i.e.: those presenting for pregnancy tests, TB medications, hepatitis B vaccine, blood pressure checks, B12 injection, etc.
Maintains health records for employees (Personal Care, Management Support) updating Td and administering annual PPD. Also, maintains health records for environmental health, WIC, and animal control employees.
Completes vaccine reports.
Rotates on the Department’s Quality Assurance Teams.
Assists with Red Cross disaster sites as needed.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledges, Skills and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of and skill in the application of nursing theory, practices, principles, and techniques employed in the field of public health and related programs; general knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and practices of public health; working knowledge of current social and economic problems relating to public health; working knowledge of available resources and organizations.
Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgement in appraising situations and making decisions; ability to secure the cooperation of clients, to elicit needed information and to maintain effective working relationships; ability to record accurately services rendered and to interpret and explain records, reports and medical instructions.
Accuracy Required in Work:
Accuracy and sound judgement are required in all nursing interventions with patients. Accuracy is required in identifying patient needs through interviewing and data collection. Interpreting findings, initiating standing orders, counseling, and initiating referrals all require maximum accuracy.
Consequence of Error:
Errors could result in inappropriate or inadequate medical services, endangering the health and safety of patients. Errors may also precipitate malpractice lawsuits and/or enforcement action by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Instructions Provided to Employee:
Receives a three-week minimum orientation. Attends workshops related to job. In-house updates at monthly staff meetings or by written memo. Daily changes related to treatment modalities, supplies, programs, staff are handled by clinical supervisor.
Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee:
Local Health Department Policies, Procedures, and Standing Orders
ACIP Manual
Local Personnel Policies
North Carolina Nursing Practice Act
DHHS Program Directives
Federal and State Statutes and Rules
Supervision Received by Employee:
Works daily with Program Lead Nurses. Receives formal, written appraisals per the Department’s Policy. Records are reviewed quarterly by the Department’s Quality Assurance team. Work in progress is observed by the Clinical Supervisor.
Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts:
Daily works directly with patients of all social, racial, and economic groups. Works with other staff within the department to assure all needed services are provided for the patient. Communicates with outside providers to assist patients with their needs and to initiate referrals. Must always be sensitive to others and be knowledgeable and tactful when assisting patients or when working with the community.
Physical Effort:
Requires the provision of patient services each day whether through applying direct clinical skills, phone calls, record management, or attending a continuing education workshop. Occasional stooping, reaching, lifting involved with storage of supplies.
Work Environment and Conditions:
Employee will be based in one office. Potential to be exposed to airborne pathogens and bloodborne pathogens.
Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment and Materials Used:
Stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, copier, fax, scales, computer/EMR, thermometers, titmus machine, audiometer.
Visual Attention, Mental Concentration and Manipulative Skills:
Must be able to organize, identify, and complete the work process. Document on medical records. Administer medications. Communicate with patients and other professionals.
Safety for Others:
Must be knowledgeable of safety polices and procedures of the department. Must be knowledgeable of local policies, procedures, and standing orders, and have the nursing expertise to provide appropriate medical care. Must be adequately immunized per Department's policy. Adheres to Department's Bloodborne Pathogen Policy.
Dynamics of Work:
Changes in policy occur as state guidelines are updated and their recommendations are incorporated into local policy. Changes occur daily in response to absences, clinics running behind schedule, or patients who require unforeseen demands. Changes also occur when recommended by the Department's local medical consultants.
Desirable Education and Experience
Required Education and Experience:
Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing and one year of professional nursing experience
Additional Training/Experience:
NC Credentialed Public Health Nursing Course (NCCPHN)
Introductions to Public Health in North Carolina Online Training Series, Certificate of Public Health
Nursing in North Carolina
Red Cross Disaster I and II Training
ICS Training 100, 200 and 700
CPR Certification
CPR/Defibrillator training
HIV counseling and testing program
Equivalent Training and Experience:
None
License or Certification Required by Statute/Regulation/Agency:
Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the N. C. Board of Nursing
Valid North Carolina Driver's License