Immunization Public Health Nurse I/II-165350, 165452

Immunization Public Health Nurse

The Adams County Health Department (ACHD) Nursing Division is comprised of Nurse Family Partnership, Nurse Support Program, Harm Reduction, Sexual Health, Immunizations, Child Maltreatment and Fatality Prevention, and Care Coordinator for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. The Nursing Division is made up of clinical support staff, medical assistants, harm reduction specialists, operations support, nurses, advanced practice nurses, and midwives.

As a public health professional, your work is to prevent illness, promote well-being, and safeguard the health of communities. ACHD Nursing Division staff work diligently to be proactive, responsive, and adaptable in a landscape of ongoing and emerging challenges. Nursing care occurs anywhere the community lives, focusing on accessibility, community engagement, and building trust.

Primary Responsibilities for Success The Immunization Public Health Nurse is responsible for providing direct patient care at ACHD immunization clinics in compliance with ACHD and Adams County policies, procedures, standing orders, professional standards, and program protocols. This immunization nursing position maintains working knowledge and expertise about immunization best practices and program deliverables. This role serves as an integral part of the clinical team to provide quality nursing care and services at clinics, home visits, and community outreach events.

The Immunization Public Health Nurse focuses on improving individuals, families, and population health by emphasizing vaccinations, preventive health services and attending to multiple determinants of health. This position is the public face and community expert for immunization best practices and decreasing community spread of vaccine preventable disease for Adams County Public Health.

This position requires evening, weekend, and occasional on-call duties.

To be considered for this position, you must include the following on your job application.

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV

Examples of Duties for Success

Direct Patient Care

• Works as part of a team to deliver care in a culturally appropriate and client-centered manner to diverse populations.
• Provides safe, effective, evidence-based client care, including clear, accurate documentation, and referrals. Uses critical thinking skills and nursing expertise to effectively assess clients and care for their health.
• Performs direct client care by screening immunization records, educating clients and parents or guardians about vaccine effectiveness, safety, and potential reactions. Makes strong vaccine recommendations for all eligible vaccines and administers immunizations to infants, children, teens, and adults during clinic visits, or at outdoor community clinics, fairs, and outreach events.
• Maintains up to date knowledge on vaccine recommendations, safety, administration along with storage, and handling best practices, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintains specialty practice within nursing and public health, promoting and protecting the health of populations using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health sciences.
• Collaborates with team members to provide resources and care/treatment options within the client care setting. Identifies the need for consultation and referral as necessary.
• Maintains working knowledge of agency-wide services and provides appropriate agency-wide referrals as necessary. Links people to needed personal health services and assures the provision to health care when otherwise unavailable.
• Maintains up to date knowledge and performs safe vaccine, medication and medical supply use, storage, and handling, including the "7 rights" of Vaccine Administration.
• Serves as a liaison or lead within clinic or at an off-site community clinic or event.
• Works on problems of moderate scope where analysis or data requires a review of various factors.
• Exercises judgement within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• Conducts various diagnostic tests, needs assessment interviews, medical histories, and vital measurements to determine appropriate health care measures or coordination of care.
• Applies agency policy and procedures to resolve a variety of issues.

Program Operations

• The Immunization Public Health Nurse attains knowledge and stays up to date and maintains clinical competence that reflects current nursing practice.
• Proficiently documents client visits within the Electronic Health Record and complies with timely documentation standards for clients and employees.
• Maintains custody and quality of cold chain management according to CDC, CDPHE and manufacturer guidelines.
• Regularly attends and actively participates in team meetings and professional development opportunities.
• Supports a team culture of ongoing learning, growth, and collaboration. Assures mentorship and professional support and identifies learning opportunities for the team.
• Assess community needs and collaborate to develop program objectives.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• The Immunization Public Health Nurse communicates effectively in various formats in all areas of practice.
• Assists in conducting epidemiological investigations related to disease control and infectious diseases as needed. Conducts interviews of individuals and families, documents relevant information, and provides direct client care by administering vaccinations and medications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Community Outreach

• Develop community-specific solutions to address prevention priorities.
• Identifies and participates in committees and coalitions related to program activities and responsibilities.
• Collaborates with community members, such as school personnel, childcare, and providers to form partnerships and relationships that improve community health outcomes within the community.
• Works directly with schools and childcare facilities to ensure compliance with CDPHE reporting requirements and provide education and consultation on immunization and vaccine preventable disease-related inquiries. Provides technical assistance when data is missing or delayed.
• Through data analysis, develops community-specific solutions to address prevention priorities.
• Identifies and participates in policy and legislation through committees and boards related to program activities and responsibilities.
• Represents Adams County Health Department as a health strategist in the community. Interprets public health programs and policies to individuals, families, community groups, schools, physicians, and other collateral community agencies and service providers.
• Collaborates with related community agencies and service providers through client referrals, written and verbal communications.
• Participates in the development of community planning, organization, education, and promotion of public health services through community outreach efforts, including serving on community boards and committees and presenting public health education to individuals and community groups.
• Participates in evening and weekend clinic outside of regular business hours.

Additional Duties

• Assists in the orientation and training of new employees, students, and volunteers.
• Participates in quality improvement projects.
• Maintains electronic health record (EHR) proficiency and skills as necessary for daily duties.

Qualifications for Success

Include needed knowledge of, skills to, ability to:

• Cultural humility and experience working in multicultural environments, including the ability to work with diverse staff and partners from community-based organizations, government staff, and elected officials.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise tact, discretion, and sound judgement.
• Outstanding skills and abilities in verbal and written communications to lead change and direction for programs and divisions; ability to adapt a style to fit audiences of varying technical levels, and at various levels within an organization, in groups and individual settings.
• Have working knowledge of the principles of health equity and how it is applied, including an understanding of oppression, privilege, and social justice.
• Knowledge of current conditions influencing health in Adams County communities
• Use professional concepts and agency objectives to resolve issues creatively and effectively.
• Routinely demonstrate a collaborative leadership style that embraces a diversity of opinion that will lead to clear outcomes.
• Ability to problem solve and provide exceptional customer service.
• Determination to achieve outcomes, complete tasks, and deliver on professional commitments.
• Commitment to Adams County communities experiencing health equity challenges.

Clinical Skills and Knowledge

• Solid Nursing Foundation : A strong foundation in nursing principles and practices is essential. This includes patient assessment, treatment skills, and knowledge of various health conditions.

Public Health Expertise

• Understanding of Population Health: Public health nurses think beyond individual patients and consider the health of entire communities. They understand how social determinants of health, like poverty and access to education, influence health outcomes.
• Epidemiology and Data Analysis: These nurses are familiar with how diseases spread in populations and can analyze data to identify health trends and areas of concern.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Patient Education: They