Nurse IV - Austin, United States - Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services

Description

Job Description:

Nurse IV:

Under the direction of the Immunization Section's Assessment, Compliance (ACE), and Epidemiology Branch Director, performs highly advanced, senior-level nursing work. Works under minimal supervision with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to address clinical questions within the nursing scope of practice, and ensures compliance with a broad range of state and federal guidelines, regulations, and policies. Work involves performing highly specialized and comprehensive nursing oversight for the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunization Section. In collaboration with DSHS Infectious Disease and Prevention Division's medical officer, ACE Branch, Immunization Information System Unit, Operations Unit, Vaccine Operations Unit, CDC, Regional and Local Health Operations (RLHO) Public Health Regions (PHRs), and Director of Public Health Nursing, and Local Health Departments (LHDs), provides nurse consultations and immunization evaluation and education throughout the state. Leads immunization initiatives as designed by the Immunization Section. Promotes the increase of vaccination efforts across the state of Texas against Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs). Explores systemic changes and reform efforts geared towards an increase in immunization rates for both adults and children, utilizing activities with proven effectiveness and reducing missed vaccine opportunities. Contributes to the achievement of the DSHS Immunization Unit's vision, mission, and program objectives by providing advanced nursing consultative recommendations, public health expertise, and effective leadership. Participates in multi-faceted agency projects and coordinates with academic partners, stakeholders, and regional and local health entities statewide.

Essential Job Functions:
- Immunization Nursing Administration and Management – 25%
- Serves as the primary point of contact for the Immunization Section on clinical matters. - Provides clinical guidance and support for other public health staff within the Immunizations unit. - Ensures all nurse related documents, competencies, and required trainings are up to date. - Follows licensure requirements and DSHS policies and procedures. - Oversees and evaluates immunization nursing services and activities and makes recommendations for improvement. - Ensures nurse coverage and triages assignments based on needs. - Reviews clinical-related work and provides guidance on assignments and educational efforts. - Supports the program at presentations, meetings, producing reports, and communicating complex issues to diverse audiences. - Trains all new hires on respective clinical policies, procedures, and work activities. - Develops clinical learning guides, educational materials, and job aids. - Reviews vaccine efficacy and vaccine adverse event report system (VAERS) data trends. - Collaborates with the epidemiology team to perform the analysis of vaccine adverse events. - Oversees clinical guidelines for the Texas Vaccine for Children (TVFC) and Adult Safety Net (ASN) programs. - May administer vaccines. - Leads or participates in agency employment wellness initiatives, for example, flu clinics, vaccination events, and health planning strategies for a healthier workforce.

- Immunization Nursing Policy and Program Administration – 25%
- Works with Section leadership to develop and maintain written procedures, strategies, and standards. - Helps Section leadership review strategic objectives, vaccine adverse events, and program priorities. - Works with the Director of Public Health Nursing in the Regional and Local Health Operations (RLHO) division to provide guidance and input on regional immunization matters. - Maintains current information about vaccine management practices for all vaccines and immunizations administered by TVFC and ASN programs. - Develops immunization enhancement strategies, priorities, and standards for achieving clinical care management objectives. - Advises Section leadership on fiscal, administrative, legal, social, and political implications of policies relating to Immunizations. - Works with federal, state, and local partners to ensure the consistent interpretation of Immunization policies. - Reviews federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines and interprets their impact specific to immunizations for Section Leadership. - Prepares reports and legislative-related briefings. - Collaborates with the Office of the General Counsel, CDC, and RLHO for immunizations issues, as needed. - Serves as the subject matter expert on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). - Coordinates with Section Leadership to notify all Public Health Regions (PHRs) and Local Health Departments (LHDs) of new methodologies or formulations about vaccines approved by ACIP.

- Immunization Nurse Consultation on Cases or Investigations in VPD Outbreaks – 15%
- Coordinates with the epidemiology team within the Immunization Section on responses to Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) outbreaks. - Liaisons with internal and external partners, as needed. - May review reported adverse events and communicate with affected PHRs and LHDs to provide appropriate clinical guidance and consultations. - Participates in epidemiology cluster investigations and supports the management of high-profile VPD exposures/outbreaks. - Serves as the Unit's lead on the nursing response to VPD emergency events. - Travels to field locations for any requested technical clinical support and guidance on screening, vaccine administration practices, and patient care and/or concern needs. - Writes after-action reports to delineate the problems found; address problems; resolve issues; and develop training to prevent the same challenges in the future. - Uses knowledge gained from onsite reviews to reassess and develop trainings and webinars. - Provides consultation on an ongoing basis.

- Immunization Nursing Quality Assurance – 15%
- Provides leadership on clinically based quality assurance activities. - Develops, maintains, and reassess the nursing component of audit tool and Immunization references. - Supports the evaluation team on audits. - Supports the evaluation team on contracting processes, including during site visits for clinical perspective and evaluation, as needed. - Reviews accuracy and appropriateness of the clinical team's reports for internal and external partners. - Ensures nurses working in the Immunization Section maintain required certifications, competencies, and trainings, and they sign all relevant standing delegation orders needed for their assigned job functions.

- Workforce Development - 15%
- Establishes and implements the clinical part of the Immunization Section's new employee orientation. - Determines clinical training needs for RLHO/PHRs immunizations clinical staff and develop up-to-date immunization curriculum, trainings, and webinars to increase immunization knowledge and improve vaccination efforts. - Coordinates and collaborates efforts with RLHO clinical staff to develop and operationalize health initiatives in conjunction with The Healthcare Safety Unit for creating, sustaining, and retaining a viable workforce. - Provides evidence-based solutions to the Immunization Section, RLHO/PHR, and LHDs to increase the number of DSHS-enrolled providers to administer COVID-19, Influenza, ASN, and VFC vaccines.

Other duties as assigned: 5%
Participates in DSHS response efforts to provide technical support and enhance surge capacity at the Central Office, regional and local levels or other duties as needed.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Comprehensive knowledge of public health law, public health nursing, and public health principles/practice including epidemiology, disease prevention, health promotion, health and community assessment, and community collaboration.
Comprehensive knowledge of public health rules.
Comprehensive knowledge of DSHS immunization-related information on ImmTrac2, TVFC, and ASN programs. Comprehensive knowledge of CDC's protocols and guidelines related to immunizations, storage and handling of vaccines, vaccine-preventable diseases, immunization schedules for children and adults.
Knowledge of clinical nursing management techniques and strategic planning related to immunization processes.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and procedures pertaining to Immunizations.
Knowledge of community resources.
Knowledge of medical terminology, database management, and data collection.
Knowledge of public health initiatives and confidentiality guidelines.
Knowledge of teaching/learning theories and curriculum development principles.
Knowledge of principles of Quality Assurance, evaluation methods, and data analysis.

Moderate to advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Skill in vaccine administration, vaccine education, and adverse event reporting.
Skill in developing and conducting individual and group training/continuing education workshops.
Skill in conducting patient assessments and screening.
Skill in Immunization case management.
Skill in interpreting and evaluating vaccine documentation, vaccine adverse event data, and vaccine efficacy rates.
Skill in developing guidelines/protocols and in writing comprehensive nursing assessment and immunization plans.
Skill in detailed report writing, designing presentations, and the development of references.
Skill in public speaking and in medical/public health-related presentations.
Skill in performing public health nursing clinical and educational interventions.

Ability to plan, coordinate and evaluate the delivery of direct public health nursing services and essential public health services to individuals, families, and communities. Ability to interpret public health law and interpret policies and procedures.
Ability to function independently, plan, assign and/or supervise staff, delegate appropriately and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to supervise the work of others.
Ability to apply time management strategies and principles to maximize work productivity.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and medical community using tact and diplomacy.
Ability to work well and effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Ability to meet agency employee immunization requirements; meet the physical demands of the job functions; and comply with HIPAA regulations.
Ability to travel.