Registered Nurse - Mobile Immunization

Job Description

If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

About Harris County Public Health

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

Position Overview

The Immunization Program Registered Nurse (RN) will support clinical services provided to patients by ensuring quality patient care through the immunization program. The RN will deliver safe, compassionate, and patient-centered nursing care as an integral member of the immunization team, while serving as an advocate for patient safety. The RN demonstrates a strong commitment to patient safety and serves as a leader and resource for Licensed Vocational Nurses and Medical Assistants. The RN is required to function within the parameters of the legal scope of practice of an RN, and in accordance with the federal, state and local laws; rules and regulations; and policies, procedures and guidelines of HCPH. This position supports the Harris County Public Health Department (HCPH), and reports to the Mobile Immunization Assistant Program Manager. This position will support all clinical services throughout Harris County by providing comprehensive nursing services.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Gives age-appropriate immunizations, stay up to date with all CDC vaccine schedule changes, and assists the nursing team with providing CDC recommended vaccinations at all times and if needed serves as a vaccination coordinator alternate for the Vaccine for Children’s (VFC) Program with the Texas Department of Health Services (DSHS).
• Serves as a vaccination coordinator or alternate for the Vaccine for Children's (VFC) Program with the Texas Department of Health Services (DSHS).
• Works with the medical providers and the medical team to complete duties such as assisting with physical exams and medical procedures, administering/dispensing prescribed medication according to Pharmacy D regulations, and responding to emergency medical situations.
• Completes patient appointments by performing vaccine administration, vaccine preparation, specimen collection, vital signs, & gathering patient histories.
• Assists with control of patient flow through the facility during clinic visits, including discharging patients from the clinic following the medical provider's care plan and providing appropriate patient education.
• Participate in performing quality assurance checks on immunization practices, lab specimens, and prepare vaccines and specimens for transport.
• Assists with medical inventory, including but not limited to vaccines and oral medications, ordering, and ensuring the clinic is appropriately stocked.
• Supervises LVNs and any unlicensed personnel when tasks are delegated. Supervision is defined as directing, guiding, and influencing the outcome of performance and activity. The RN may have to directly observe and evaluate the nursing care provided depending on the LVN’s skills and competence, patient conditions and emergencies.

Education:

Experience: 

• At least one (1) year of experience as an RN in an outpatient clinical setting.

Licensure/Certifications:

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and navigating Electronic Medical Record Systems. 
• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written). 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment. 
• Knowledge of current CDC recommendations for immunizations. 
• Ability to organize material, prioritize job tasks, make reliable judgments, and draw conclusions from verbal discussions and written data. 
• Ability to draw conclusions from data, such as lab tests, to record this information accurately in patient’s record, and to notify the medical providers when deviations occur. 

Core Competencies:

Organizational Leadership

• Understands the organizational mission
• Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
• Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others

Collaboration

• Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
• Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
• Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs

Innovation

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
• Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
• Uses sound judgment
• Self-motivated
• Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity

Communication

Languages: 

• Bilingual English/Spanish. 

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work

• This is a Regular | Full Time position, funded through special revenue. 
• Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Must be willing to flex work hours when required, including weekends. Able to travel within Harris County as needed.

Work Environment   

• This position operates in a medical mobile unit clinic environment, or in the community setting, and occasionally in a medical clinic. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

Work Location: