Immunization Specialist

Job Description:
Immunization Specialist

The Immunization Specialist performs complex human services support work that contributes to the prevention, control, eradication/reduction of specific vaccine preventable diseases through various programs whose common objective is to ensure that all the undeserved population are immunized. The incumbent will assist with special rural immunization clinics (administering vaccinations), promote the immunization registry (IMMTRAC2), register patients at clinics, and maintain a reminder/recall system. This position actively works to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

The Immunization Specialist disseminates educational information to public and healthcare providers, and participates in epidemiologic investigations, including interviewing patients, data gathering, analysis and providing established recommendations for disease control.

This position is headquartered in Alice, Texas, may be required to travel up to 40%, and is permitted to telework 10% (4 hours per week) following a 6-month probation period. The Immunization Specialist reports to the Nurse Supervisor and will be required to maintain an acceptable driving record and safely operate either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle to conduct state business in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures, and Texas motor vehicle, traffic and driving licensing law.
Essential Job Functions:
(20%) Client Services: Provides public health services to clients with a range of simple to complex health needs, such as immunization clinics for under immunized infants, children, and adults in the underserved communities, in accordance with TVFC/ASN guidelines. Follows requirements for eligibility, vaccine administration, documentation, and confidentiality. Completes reports and documentation in accordance with program guidelines. Assists to coordinate and conduct immunization clinics to underserved population. Promotes medical home services. Maintains reminder/recall system. Receives collections, completes collections report, and mails them within the required time frame. Maintains receipt book. Informs and educates the public regarding the importance and safety of immunizations. Distributes and ensures proper use of VIS. Responsible for record retention. Travels to assigned areas to provide outreach clinics and consumer information to organizations and customers using state developed materials. Familiar with emergency management, maintains current basic life support certification.

(20%) Program Management: Greets clients, assists in filing, answering phones, receiving, and shipping vaccines, faxing, copying as needed. Maintains list of stakeholders and communication with community partners to increase community involvement in immunization promotion. Serves as secondary coordinator in Texas Vaccine for Children Program. Responds to the vaccine storage alarm system when activated. Responsible for medical record retention/destruction.

(20%) Immunization Registry: Updates information in TWICES to assure children immunizations are in the registry. Reviews the list of questionable matches and collects information to correct information. Promotes ImmTrac2 registry among providers and parents. Assists providers on ImmTrac2 training.

(20%) Vaccine Management: Complies with vaccine management guidelines. Responsible for assuring the proper handling and storage of vaccine. Maintains accurate vaccine inventory and temperature logs for the refrigerator and freezer. Transfers vaccines as needed, completes biological report, and maintains accurate documentation on TWICES.

(10%) Consumer Information: Travels to coordinate and participate in activities to inform, educate, and motivate the public in English and Spanish about the importance and safety of immunizations. Distributes the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) which inform the parents and recipients about the risks and benefits of vaccines.

(5%): Disease Surveillance: Investigates suspected Vaccine Preventable Disease dases in accordance with DSHS Surveillance manual. Responsible for entry of vaccine preventable disease data into the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) based system (NBS) notification queue including interviewing patients and requesting information from providers, hospitals and labs and enters data into NBS within 30 days of report. Quality assurance is performed on information entered in NBS and forms submitted to HSR 11 for submission to DSHS Austin.

(5%) Other Duties As Assigned: Assists to maintain office coverage, may require traveling to other locations. Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. May require an alternate shift pattern or assignment change. Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of:
•standards of Immunization practices for children, adolescents, and adults.
•school immunization requirements.
•VFC/ASN programs and ImmTrac.
•HIPPA and confidentiality rules.

Skill in:
•vaccine management and vaccine administration.
•utilizing computer programs including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and Internet.

Ability to:
•interpret immunization schedule, policies, and procedures.
•analyze data and prepare written reports.
•present information, trainings, & presentations to the public.
•think critically to solve problems and respond during emergency situations.
•speak and write effectively in English and Spanish.

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