The Immunization Program Nurse supports the mission of the Sedgwick County Health Department by providing immunization and health screening services in the clinic and at various locations throughout the community. Immunization nurses work under the direction of written medical protocols and vaccine standing orders. The Immunization Nurse maintains professional expertise and confidentiality in all areas of patient contact. The Immunization Nurse utilizes critical thinking skills and problem-solving techniques based on medical judgments. Employee may deploy to the field as a responder or in a leadership position during public health emergencies (Activation Level 3).
Patient Care/Communication
- Provide immunization and health screening services to all age groups following Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) policies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) vaccine guidelines, industry best practices, standing orders, and protocols
- Perform TB skin tests and interpret results, perform phlebotomy and capillary blood draws for lab processing
- Maintain confidentiality in all client interactions
- Follow current CDC vaccine storage and handling recommendations when transporting vaccines to offsite clinics
- Participate in monthly chart audit and promptly correct identified errors
- Respond timely to internal/external customers’ questions or inquiries.
- Support program/department by collaborating with team members to ensure that programs’ goals and objectives are met.
Education and Outreach
- Educate patients on importance and benefits of vaccination
- Drive to various community sites in Sedgwick County to provide vaccinations and health screenings
- Pack vaccines into portable refrigerators and freezers and transport them along with medical supplies to various community sites
- Prepare and set up mobile clinic sites with supplies, equipment, and other necessary items to operate the clinic
- Provide information about the Immunization Program Services at schools, health fairs, and other community partners or organizations
- Attend Immunization updates training as directed by the supervisor
Documentation and Recordkeeping
- Maintain professional licensure and complete required continuing education
- Verify and accurately document vaccine and health screening data into electronic record and other databases
- Minimize vaccine wastage by selecting vaccines from the correct funding source and the correct type for patient
- Participate in inventory processes including periodic vaccine counting and usage reporting
- Maintain accurate documentation in various databases and assist with documenting immunization program functions as assigned by supervisor
Minimum Qualifications: Associate’s degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university. Possess and maintain a valid, unencumbered, and unrestricted State of Kansas Registered Nursing License (RN). Maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers/AED certification and required trainings to maintain licensure and/or certification. Per Sedgwick County Policy, this is a driving level position that requires a valid US driver’s license without restrictions and current proof of automobile insurance. Must complete Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) IS 100, 200, and 700 courses within 30 days of employment.
Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in nursing. 1 year work experience in public health agency or medical-related agency, such as a hospital, medical clinic, or emergency medical service (EMS)