Clinical Education & Vaccine Specialist

Description

Martindale Brightwood Health Center - 2855 N Keystone Ave., Suite 140, Indianapolis, IN 46218

The position maintains immunizations policies and procedures, and safety procedures for HealthNet. 

• Oversees daily operations of HealthNet’s immunization program. 
• provides technical support, training, and coordinates operational issues for HealthNet’s information systems specific to immunizations. 
• Overall responsibility for the quality, quantity, consistency, and cost effectiveness of all immunizations the organization utilizes.
• The Clinical Education and Vaccine Specialist is HealthNet's primary liaison with the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), Immunization Division. 

• Acknowledged educational provider and coordinator in one's designated area of responsibility.
• Works with staff nurses and other members of the leadership team to develop, implement and evaluate educational programming that promotes excellence in evidence-based practice and quality performance.
• Demonstrates excellence in educational practice through systematic assessment of learning needs of clinical staff, analysis of relevant data/evidence, prioritized planning in accordance with departmental directives, educational program design in line with educational standards and standards of excellence, implementation of teaching/learning methods consistent with instructional aims and learner needs, and evaluation of outcomes in terms of learning achievement.

• Applies competency-based approaches to nursing education and development including orientation, annual required education and curricula that support lifelong learning and all aspects of practice including compliance with regulatory standards, evidence-based practice, policies and procedures and professional accountability.
• Relates educational programming to the patient care delivery model and facilitates the achievement of job expectations.
• Applies developmental principles (novice-to-expert) to the design and implementation of educational programming.
• Coaches and evaluates clinical/critical thinking skills of staff and provides timely feedback to clinical leadership staff on performance expectations.
• Creates   opportunities that assist/support staff in accomplishing their educational requirements.
• Coordinates   and implements clinical education programs consistent with the needs and requirements within one's clinical area of responsibility.
• Collaborates with schools of nursing, outside agencies and other departments within the organization to ensure mutual benefits for educational purposes.
• Creates and supports a learning environment characterized by safe discourse, constructive feedback, first party communication, and coaching and team development.

• Develops and oversees implementation of new immunization policies, procedures, and workflows. Implements necessary electronic health   record (EHR) system changes. 
• Addresses EHR system issues as they arise. 
• Oversee protocols and contingency plans to ensure proper storage, handling, and transport of vaccines during emergent and nonemergent times, with on-call and after hours responsibilities in emergency situations.
• Responsible for transport and report and return any   vaccine within 30 days of expiration spoilage. 
• May serve as project lead on a variety of projects with a broad range of complexity requiring coordination of integrated efforts.
• Examples of projects include (but are not limited to): Implementation of a bi-directional immunization interface, improve   immunization rates, decrease immunization costs due to wastage, and decrease documentation errors.

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of HealthNet’s immunization program. 
• Establishes site vaccine coordinator roles, responsibilities, and duties. 
• Ensures the site vaccine coordinators are performing their immunization responsibilities as expected and provides performance   feedback to their direct supervisor. 
• Oversees proper receipt and storage of vaccine shipments and proper vaccine transport. 
• Ensures current vaccine information statements are being used as well as maintains all appropriate storage and handling documentation as set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccine oversight also involves maintaining storage equipment in compliance with CDC standards and manufacturers guidelines. 
• Monitors, evaluates, and implements refrigerator and freezer protocols to ensure proper storage and handling of vaccines,   including removal of expired vaccines for all clinics.

• Ensures all clinics are compliant with the IDOH policies related to the Vaccines for Children (VFC) and adult vaccine (317) programs. 
• Serves as HealthNet’s subject matter expert on IDOH’s Children and Hoosier Immunization Registry Program (CHIRP) system.
• Ensures timely submission of all required IDOH documentation such as: VFC provider Agreements, data logger reports, and CHIRP access/removal requests. 
• Prepares centers for VFC Compliance Visits by performing mock visits. 
• Represents HealthNet alongside the site coordinator during VFC Compliance Visits. 
• Engages with clinic managers and senior leadership to rectify any findings of an IDOH VFC Compliance Visit. 
• Maintains required documentation for all clinics and vaccine programs. 
• Monitors and addresses issues related to the current EHR to State Registry immunization   interface.

• Assists in the development and implementation of Clinical Education Classes, including   preparation and presentation. 
• Trains site coordinators on proper EHR set up for vaccines. 
• Provides continuous technical support and guidance to the site coordinators.   
• Communicates immunization updates and educational opportunities to staff. 
• Trains staff on basic vaccine storage and handling practices and the importance of handling vaccines properly on an annual basis and when new staff is hired. 
• Ensures that all site coordinators complete all required CDC, IDOH, and local trainings. 
• Applies a minimum of one health literacy method when communicating with patients/clients.

HealthNet is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization of community-based health centers located in Indianapolis and Bloomington, IN Since 1968, HealthNet has improved the health status of the neighborhoods it serves by making quality health services accessible to everyone. HealthNet annually provides affordable health care to more than 61,000 individuals through its network of 8 primary care health centers 2 dental clinics, 2 school-based clinics, a mobile health unit, and additional support services. HealthNet’s mission is to improve lives with compassionate health care and support services, regardless of ability to pay. 

Requirements

• Requires current RN licensure in the State of Indiana.
• Requires nursing ASN; BSN degree preferred. 
• Requires 1-3 years of clinical education experience.  
• Requires Basic Life Support certification through the AHA.
• Knowledge of state required immunizations and ACIP recommendations required. 
• Knowledge and accountability of IDOH guidelines and VFC standards required. 
• Requires effective collaboration, problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Requires effective written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to organize and utilize effective time management. 
• Maintain current driver’s license, auto liability insurance, and reliable transportation.
• Frequent local travel required.  

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Able to be involved in degrees of prolonged standing, walking, sitting, bending, squatting, and stooping; as well as abilities of repeated bending, stooping, and squatting.
• Able to lift, push, and/or pull light to moderately heavy weight up to 20-30 pounds is a necessary function of this position.
• Able to perform duties during periods of varied and/or prolonged work hours.
• Must be able to read, write, hear, and communicate effectively in the English language by both orally and written.