Immunization Program Coordinator RN

Description

Pay Grade: M

Click HERE for VideoWho we are. We protect lives.The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.

What we offer. As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact. No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can:

• Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team– Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths
• Achieve Career Longevity – Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
• Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you

As an Immunization Program Coordinator RN within District 5-2 NCHD at the Georgia Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways

Job Responsibilities

This position reports to the District Nursing Director (DND). Manages the planning and implementation of the immunization program. Monitors immunization requirement compliance for employees in accordance with the Occupational Health Requirements for Public Health Workers Policy

Core District Competencies

• Communication: Respectfully listens to others to gain a full understanding of issues; comprehends written material; presents information in a clear and concise manner orally and in writing to ensure others understand his/her ideas; appropriately adapts his/her message, style, and tone to accommodate a variety of audiences.
• Adheres to HIPPA Regulations: Has been trained and adheres to established policies on privacy and security requirements for compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA"), as applicable by Agency policy.
• Customer Service: Understands that all employees have external and/or internal customers that they provide services and information to; honors all of the State's commitments to customers by providing helpful, courteous, accessible, responsive, and knowledgeable service.
• Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperates with others to accomplish common goals; works with employees within and across his/her department to achieve shared goals; treats others with dignity and respect and maintains a friendly demeanor; values the contributions of others.
• Results Orientation: Consistently delivers required business results; sets and achieves achievable, yet aggressive, goals; consistently complies with quality standards and meets deadlines; maintains focus on Agency and State goals.
• Accountability: Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution as a team member; displays honesty and truthfulness; confronts problems quickly; displays a strong commitment to organizational success and inspires others to commit to goals; demonstrates a commitment to delivering on his/her public duty and presenting oneself as a credible representative of the Agency and State to maintain the public's trust.
• Judgment and Decision Making: Analyzes problems by evaluating available information and resources; develops effective, viable solutions to problems that can help drive the effectiveness of the department and/or State of Georgia.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response: In the event of an emergency requiring activation of Public Health, all public health staff will be expected to perform duties and responsibilities as assigned. This may require work outside the normal work schedule.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages the planning and implementation of the immunization program

• Develops strategies to advance the immunization program based on data collection and programmatic assessments.
  • Submits a monthly programmatic report that details progress made towards meeting targeted program measurements, requirements and deliverables including: summaries that reference accomplishment and/or areas of concern; promotional activities conducted for nationally recognized immunization campaign weeks/months (categorized by county); related trainings/educational activities and perinatal Hepatitis B case management data.
• Ensures county health departments meet VFC programmatic requirements through audit activities and by regularly monitoring clinics for compliance to policies.
• Works with the infectious disease program to follow up on all infants born to mothers with hepatitis B infection and coordinate vaccination and testing of these infants as needed.
• Ensures that immunization services are integrated into all other service visits.
• Ensures clinic has an emergency vaccine safety plan in place.

Acts as the subject matter expert for the District providing technical assistance and training for public health nursing staff and other stakeholders.

• Ensures that county staff have proper training and knowledge to perform immunization assessments at all childcare, kindergarten, and seventh grade programs (public and private) and that all data collected is entered into SENDSS.
• Ensures that all immunization clinical personnel receive initial and annual training as needed and that VFC training requirements are met.
• Collaborates with the IPC to develop an annual educational plan to include the education of HD staff, private providers, schools, daycare centers, and the public.
• Completes the Train the Trainer Training annually.
• Ensures programmatic changes and current vaccine information is disseminated to the county nurses.

Evaluates the vaccination status of disease contacts and public health employees to prevent the spread of vaccine preventable diseases.

• Collaborates with the District Epidemiologist and infection disease unit to assess immunization status of patients involved in a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak/investigation and to coordinate administration of post-exposure vaccination of exposed persons.
• Evaluates the vaccination status of District employees, provides education related to District policy.

Manages the budget allocation for the program.

Works with county health department staff to engage community partners including school districts to advance the immunization program.

• Disseminates pertinent School based flu Project information and work with the county health departments as needed to coordinate School based flu efforts.
• Attends Flu Stakeholders’ Meetings via phone conference.
• Submits accountability forms to the state after a SBF event.
• Submits all billing information to the state office for reimbursement after all SBF clinics are completed.

Acts as the liaison to the State Immunization Office

• Ensures that information and communications from the State Immunization Office is disseminated
• Attends all four quarterly Immunization Coordinator’s meetings.
• Files reports in a timely manner.
• Participates in continuing education programs to maintain and update knowledge about all ACIP recommendations, VFC program requirements, and state immunization requirements in order to provide guidance to county staff.

Manages Employee Immunization Requirements according to the Occupational Health Requirements for Public Health Workers Policy

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in nursing, public health or related field from an accredited college or university AND Two years of nursing experience AND current Georgia Registered Professional Nurse license AND CPR certified OR Bachelor's degree nursing from an accredited college or university AND Five years of nursing experience AND current Georgia Registered Professional Nurse license AND CPR certified OR Two years of experience at the lower level PH Nursing Prog Consultant 1 (HCP210) or position equivalent AND current Georgia Registered Professional Nurse license AND CPR certification.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Public Health clinical or programmatic management. Federal or state budget management. Knowledge of ACIP recommendations and GA School requirements