Public Health Nurse (Immunization Services)

Job Summary

Reporting to the Supervisor, Immunization Services, within the Community Health Services Division, the Public Health Nurse will be part of a team responsible for the delivery of immunization clinics, and other activities to support administration of publicly funded vaccines. The Public Health Nurse will also provide support for activities related to enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).

Duties & Responsibilities

• Work in a specialized program to provide clinical assessment, counseling, health education, and administration of publicly funded vaccines to various age groups.
• Plan, organize, and operationalize immunization service delivery in school and community-based clinics.
• Deliver clinical services in a way that ensures quality and safety for clients, staff, and stakeholders (includes adherence to program policies, procedures, and protocols).
• Respond to adverse events following immunization and provides appropriate nursing assessment and interventions.
• Support and participates in the set-up of immunization clinics and management of safe clinic flow.
• Utilize an electronic databases and applications (Panorama, m-IMMS, EMR, Siebel) as part of vaccine record assessment, to record vaccine administration, and to document the provision of immunization services (providing health education, consultation, and response to stakeholders).
• Plan and deliver programming and activities related to enforcement of the ISPA.
• Develop, review, and implement program-level policies, procedures, medical directives, and job aides.
• Participate in project and program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Develop, review, and implement immunization-related educational initiatives and resources for physicians, school boards, other organizations, and the community at large.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with community stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of immunization.
• Use standards of promoting health, building individual/community capacity, building relationships, facilitating access and equity, and professional responsibility and accountability.
• Model and uphold professional practice standards and best practices for Registered Nurses in Ontario.
• Provide education, support, and excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders regarding appropriate vaccine storage and handling and cold chain maintenance.
• Assist with the collection and reporting of program statistics and data.
• Participate in activities related to the management of emergencies of public health importance including but not limited to the management of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing and current General Class Registration, in good standing, from the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Recent experience in the delivery of clinical services, including community and school-based immunization campaigns and programs.
• Recent experience in providing health education about, and administration of, school-based vaccines (Hep B, HPV, and Meningococcal vaccines), ISPA-required vaccines as well as extensive experience in reviewing/assessing immunization records in Panorama.
• Knowledge of the current Ontario Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule.
• Knowledge and demonstrated skill in the areas of clinical practice, decision making, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Broad knowledge and experience in health promotion strategies, project management, evaluation, healthy public policy, and community development in a public health or community health setting.
• Ability to build stakeholder relationships and provide consultation specific to vaccination services.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and strong computer skills.
• Strong customer service and de-escalation skills.
• Current CPR certification.
• Recent experience in counseling, educating, program planning, and project management would be considered an asset.
• Thorough knowledge related to the provision of immunization services in various settings including schools and the community.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and other databases and software would be considered an asset.

Working/ Employment Conditions

Working Conditions

• Flexibility to work outside of core business hours including evenings, weekends and holidays is required.
• Travel will be required, incumbent must provide their own transportation. 
• The incumbent must be able to provide a current complete record of immunization according to the Ontario provincial immunization schedule.

Employment Conditions

• The successful candidate will be made an offer of employment on condition that the Regional Municipality of Halton receives a current (obtained within the past six (6) months), original and acceptable Vulnerable Sector Check by the first day of employment.