Immunization Nurse Supervisor

The Adams County Health Department 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.

The Immunization Public Health Nurse (PHN) Supervisor is responsible for providing nursing leadership on the team, supervision for their direct reports and for being a program specialist. The position is responsible for assisting with the development and review of program directives, procedures and guidelines, and budget monitoring. The position is responsible for oversight of their direct reports and evaluation of their performance. The position is responsible for assisting with program operations and assisting with the implementation and oversight of program-specific deliverables.

This position also provides leadership within the immunization team and direct patient care at Adams County Health Department (ACHD) clinics in compliance with ACHD and Adams County directives, procedures, professional standards, and program guidelines. This 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. Additionally, this position may provide technical guidance and education to the clinical team, community members and community partners. 

The position also works in collaboration with team and program nurse manager to develop trusted community partnerships to provide education, outreach, and coordinate events to increase the availability and uptake of childhood and adult immunizations across the community. This position works closely with schools and school districts, federally qualified health centers, other health systems, allied health professionals, community-based organizations, and other state and local governmental agencies to increase availability and uptake of childhood and adult immunizations, working to remove barriers to care and developing innovative strategies to increase access, particularly to those populations that have been traditionally marginalized. 

The Immunization Public Health Nurse Supervisor 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.   

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 directives, procedures, and guidelines to resolve a variety of issues.  

Program Operations

• The Immunization Public Health Nurse Supervisor attains knowledge and stays up to date and maintains clinical competence that reflects current nursing practice.
• 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.  
• The Immunization Public Health Nurse Supervisor communicates effectively in various formats in all areas of 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.
• Assess community needs and collaborates to develop program objectives.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• 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.
• Collaborates with related community agencies and service providers through client referrals, written and verbal communications.  
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision 

• Effectively provides direct supervision for direct reports. 
• Develops and oversees robust staff development for maximum program delivery.
• Assures staff compliance with ACHD and program directives, procedures, and guidelines. 
• Develops and maintains active working knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, and protocols related to the program, community health nursing and its application in public health programs.  
• Reads and interprets relevant reports and best practices and shares appropriately with ACHD leadership, team, and partners.
• Ensure implementation of quality improvement and strategies.
• Develops and maintains active working knowledge of inter-related professional services and resources available through ACHD and the community for implementation of programs.
• Collaborates with professional and community groups to develop goals and increase access to public health care programs.
• Coordinates and integrates program activities with other nursing programs, ACHD divisions, allied agencies, service providers, and community groups.
• Provides consultation, leadership, and management in specialized program areas.
• Provides technical expertise to ACHD staff in the interpretation of program directives, procedures, and guidelines. 
• Identifies and participates in committees and coalitions related to program activities and responsibilities.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

Experience:

• 6 years’ experience in nursing, community outreach, epidemiology, or a closely related field, including 2 years’ experience in a lead, supervisory, or management role. 
•  A master’s degree in nursing, Public Health, or a related coursework, may substitute for 2 years of experience, excluding experience as a lead, supervisor, or manager.

Preferred Education and 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. 
• 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.