Vaccine Nurse (Part-Time, Temporary)

Statement of Duties

The temporary, part-time vaccine nurse will work alongside Somerville’s Public Health Nurses to administer vaccines to patients in both community and residential settings. They will assist with all aspects of the vaccine clinic planning process including confirming space reservations, volunteer coordination, supply inventory, and vaccine administration. The nurse vaccinator is expected to vaccinate persons 6 months and older based on the current CDC immunization schedule and availability of vaccines at the Health Department. The employment period for this position for 28 weeks starting early September through mid-March with a maximum of 19 hours per week.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type 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.

• Administer vaccines safely and efficiently according to CDC and MDPH immunization practices.
• Adhere to safety and infection control procedures while administering vaccines and overseeing safe clinic flow for staff and vaccine recipients.
• Participates in Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) and reports immunization data in a timely manner while following HIPAA standards and confidentiality laws as set by local and state government entities.
• Ensure safety of vaccines including complying with MDPH vaccine storage and handling requirements.
• Provide vaccine educational information to families; including possible side effects, immunization schedules, and schedule return visits, as needed, for continuity of care.
• Comply with Massachusetts Records Retention laws and report any adverse events using VAERs form with immediate with immediate notification to supervisor and medical director.
• Triage phone calls and walk in patients, appropriately scheduling appointments based on need. Including, coordinating and performing home visits for vaccine administration as appropriate.
• Participate in ongoing training and education related to vaccine administration and safety.
• Document vaccination administration using Color software documentation system.
• Execute transport per the department’s protocol for emergency transport of vaccines in the event of a power outage or vaccine temperature storage issue.
• May be requested to provide back-up coverage for essential public health nursing functions including Direct Observation Therapy for Tuberculosis cases and infectious disease case investigation dependent on department needs.
• Respond to urgent City events or emergencies as directed by Director of Public Health Nursing.
• Other tasks as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Must possess a valid, current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts
• BSN or Associates Degree in Nursing
• Prior vaccine management experience preferred
• Prior experience working at vaccine clinics required
• Must have access to reliable personal transportation and ability to travel throughout the community and transport vaccines.
• Must be physically able to bend, lift 30 pounds, and move up and down stairs
•  Must have current CPR and First Aid certification
• Bilingual/Bicultural experience preferred
• Strong preference for a connection to the Somerville area.
• Some evening and weekend hours are required.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge:

• Considerable knowledge of and skill in the application of nursing theory, practices, principles, and techniques employed in the field of public health and related programs
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and practices of public health, especially surrounding vaccine hesitancy
• Considerable knowledge of available resources and organizations in the City of Somerville and the City of Cambridge and the ability to coordinate these as needed
•  General knowledge of current social and economic problems relating to public health
• Familiarity with ICS principles and LBOH involvement in emergency response and administering countermeasures.

Ability:

• Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions
• Ability to secure the cooperation of patients, to elicit needed information, and to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to record accurately services rendered and to interpret and explain records, reports, and medical instructions.
• Ability to maintain confidential information

Skill:

• Profici