Under general supervision, monitors, investigates and controls communicable diseases; immunizes, educates and conducts serological testing to prevent and/or stop the spread of disease and promote public health as part of the County Health Department’s mission; Serves as the Team Lead overseeing the daily immunization operations of one of 5 clinics. Ensures compliance with HIPAA and all applicable laws and standards.
This is an essential duty position in relation to a designated Public Health Emergency and local disasters. During public health emergencies and local disasters, this position will be required to take on additional tasks and work additional hours to meet the needs of the community as it relates to the Health Department. In the event of a public health emergency, you shall report to work if ordered to do so by either of the following officials or positions: (1) District Attorney’s Office (Civil Division), (2) County Judge/Emergency Management Coordinator, (3) Commissioners’ Court liaison or a member of Commissioners’ Court, (4) Director of Public Health Services, or (5) the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program Manager.
Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday, and additional hours as job requires.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.
Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Be familiar with County Personnel Policies as are set forth in the County's Personnel Policy Manual plus related Court Orders and other official announcements of the County, thereby observing and enforcing said policies without exception. Furthermore, whenever clarification is needed with regard to said policies will contact a member of the County Human Resources Department for this purpose.
- Explicitly follows and enforces all relevant Federal and State immunization-related policies, procedures, rules, regulations and laws, etc. Example: HIPAA.
- Operates and maintains the immunization program at one of 5 BCHD clinics by overseeing the daily immunization operations of the clinic.
- Supervises and trains assigned staff: Plans and assigns work; ensures staff are knowledgeable about how to review immunization records; ensures established standards are maintained, and that all laws, regulations, policies and procedures are strictly adhered to; reviews work of staff; assists the Director with interviews of potential employees
, may be asked to participate in employee discipline. - Analyzes patient immunization records; researches records; obtains records from schools or doctor’s offices; determines which immunizations the patient should receive; administers and documents shots for patients.
- Evaluates patient history, allergies or previous adverse reactions to vaccines or medications; educates patients about vaccines and side effects; monitors adverse reactions.
- Administers vaccines and emergency protocols; ensures the safety of patients.
- Educates patients about diseases and health promotion; presents information and responds to questions from health care professionals, students, patients, parents and the general public regarding clinic operations, health care and vaccines.
- As directed, receives and responds to various e-mails or other communications regarding various health-related topics.
- Responds to patient complaints; resolves various issues or problems.
- Maintains successful relationships with state and local agencies as directed.
- Confers with local authorities to advise on immunization necessities, reportable conditions and/or disease control and prevention.
- Makes community referrals of patients to various health care programs.
- Sends notices to patients who are overdue for immunizations.
- Performs an inventory of office, medical and vaccine supplies; places orders for additional supplies.
- Prepares various reports.
- Orders medical supplies and vaccines.
- Prepares the clinic for annual site reviews by the State; responds to issues from the audit.
- Attends seminars and meetings to ensure quality practices and keep current on necessary information and skills.
- Works closely with Director on special assignments and projects.
- May assist TB Clinic staff and patients on an as needed basis.
- May assist Indigent Healthcare Program staff and clients on an as needed basis.
- May assist at our other clinic locations on an as needed basis.
- Transports vaccines in emergency situations.
Note: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position and is assigned by the supervisor.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Experience and Training Guidelines:
Graduation from an accredited nursing school as a Registered Nurse; ANDfive years of nursing experience, including a minimum of three years of supervisory experience in a hospital, clinic, school or doctor’s office; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources. **Pediatric immunization experience preferred.** Bilingual (English-Spanish) a plus but not required.
Knowledge of:
- Anatomy, pathophysiology and biology.
- Texas Vaccines for Children Program.
- School and childcare facility immunization requirements.
- Principles and practices of case management.
- Communicable diseases.
- Principles and practices of disease surveillance.
- Vaccine administration, treatment and reactions.
- Laboratory procedures and processes.
- Principles and practices of effective employee supervision.
- Principles and practices of effective customer service.
- Principles and practices of effective communication in a medical setting with all types of clients and their families: Children, parents, youth, adults.
- Records management principles and practices.
- Department policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.
Skill in:
- Pediatric immunization.
- Supervising the work of others.
- Communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
- Being flexible, handling stressful situations and a fast-paced work environment; easily adapts to change.
- Ensuring strict patient confidentiality.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with managers, supervisors, employees, external public agencies and organizations, school nurses, physician’s offices, vendors, contractors, suppliers, sales representatives, clients and the general public.
- Using initiative, discretion and decision making within established procedures, guidelines and rules.
- Defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts and drawing valid conclusions.
- Using various medical supplies and equipment.
- Promoting effective work teams and providing effective customer service.
- Operating a personal computer and various software applications.
LICENSE & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Texas license as a Registered Nurse.
Certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
A valid Texas driver’s license and reliable transportation is required.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work of this job is typically performed in an office work environment similar to that of a traditional medical office or medical clinic environment(health department office) and also involves field work outside the office which may be noisy and which may involve biohazards. Exposure to communicable diseases is possible.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the non-essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds. Exposure to communicable diseases is possible. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
DISCLAIMER
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
The incumbent in this job must be knowledgeable about and follow the County's safety policies and procedures. Ask supervisor for details. Proper precautions and following road safety laws are required at all times while driving.
DRUG/ALCOHOL POLICY
Drug/Alcohol policy applies to this job: Pre-employment drug/alcohol testing required.
Brazoria County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected class. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.
