Immunization Public Health Nurse- Temp

What Success Looks Like In This Job

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 SuccessThe 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 excel at explaining complex medical information in a clear and understandable way to people from diverse backgrounds.
• Active Listening and Cultural Sensitivity:Building trust and rapport with community members is key. Public health nurses actively listen to concerns, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, and avoid using medical jargon.
• Collaboration:They work effectively with a wide range of people, including community leaders, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.

Other Key Qualities

• Problem-Solving and Resourcefulness:Public health nurses often work in environments with limited resources. They need to be resourceful and find creative solutions to address community health needs.
• Advocacy and Leadership:They are passionate about public health issues and can advocate for policies that promote health equity and access to healthcare.
• Adaptability and Resilience:The public health field can be fast-paced and unpredictable. Public health nurses need to be adaptable and able to respond to changing situations.
• Compassion and Commitment to Community Health:A genuine desire to improve the health and well-being of the community is a driving force for public health.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Based upon work environment spending time sitting, standing, and/or walking.
• Utilize appropriate ergonomics.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls, or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Commitment to Equity

• Integrates Health Equity into all areas of work.
• Creates and maintains partnerships and processes that support and integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of Adams County Health Department work.
• Prioritizes transparency and supports a no wrong door culture.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Duties
Completes trainings identified as appropriate for this level employee. Employee responds, as required, to support public health emergencies, incidents, and events. Employee participates in all exercises and drills. This may require evening, weekend, and occasional on-call duties including but not limited to work outside of your normal duties.   

Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) Statement
Maintain sensitive & confidential client information according to the HIPAA policy confidentiality requirements.

Equipment Used

• Must demonstrate proficiency in using personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Computer use including internet, email, Microsoft Office Suite.
• Audio-visual and other teaching equipment.
• Healthcare equipment.
• Must be able to learn and become proficient with equipment and software programs as required to perform assigned duties effectively and efficiently.

More Qualifications for Success

Education:
 

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a school accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Preferred Experience or Special Qualifications: 
 

• Spanish speaking ability is preferred. ACHD has a policy to provide additional compensation to employees who can demonstrate bilingual language skills.
• A minimum if 1 year experience in public health nursing or related community or clinical work is preferred.
• Experience with Vaccine for Children and the 317 programs.
• Ability to function at the highest level of licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Professional Qualifications: 
 

• Licensed to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in the State of Colorado or a Compact State.
• Current BLS certification

Other Qualifications:
 

• Flexibility in work hours may be required to accommodate community events, meeting, and outreach activities.
• Travel within the community and participation in evening, weekend and on call duties may be required.
• This position requires a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

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

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV

Adams County complies with Colorado’s Job Application Fairness Act (“JAFA”). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.