Immunization Specialist

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief Job Description:

Under the direct supervision of the Nurse Supervisor with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, performs complex human services support work that contributes to the prevention, control, eradication/reduction of specific vaccine preventable diseases through various programs whose common objective is to ensure that all the undeserved population are immunized. Assists with special rural immunization clinics, promotes the immunization registry (IMMTRAC2), registers patients at clinics, and maintains a reminder/recall system in place. Disseminates educational information to public and healthcare providers. Participates in epidemiologic investigations, including interviewing patients, data gathering, analysis and provide established recommendations for disease control. May be required to work other than normal business hours to respond to public health emergencies, including but not limited to disease outbreaks, and/or to participate in public awareness events such as health fairs and screenings.  Employee maintains an acceptable driving record that meets the standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and safely operates either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle to conduct state business in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures, and Texas motor vehicle, traffic and driving licensing law. Employee must have a valid Class C Texas driver’s license. Employee actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

20% CLIENT SERVICES
Provides public health services to clients with a range of simple to complex health needs, such as immunization clinics for under immunized infants, children, and adults in the underserved communities, in accordance with TVFC/ASN guidelines. Follows requirements for eligibility, vaccine administration, documentation, and confidentiality. Completes CMIS reports and documentation in accordance with program guidelines. Assists to coordinate and conduct immunization clinics to underserved population. Promotes medical home services. Maintains reminder/recall system. Receives collections, completes collections report, and mails them within the required time frame. Maintains receipt book. Informs and educates the public regarding the importance and safety of immunizations. Distributes and ensures proper use of VIS. Responsible for record retention. Travels to assigned areas to provide outreach clinics and consumer information to organizations and customers using state developed materials. Familiar with emergency management, maintains current basic life support certification.

20% PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Greets clients, assists in filing, answering phones, receiving, and shipping vaccines, faxing, copying as needed. Maintains list of stakeholders and communication with community partners to increase community involvement in immunization promotion. Serves as secondary coordinator in Texas Vaccine for Children Program. Responds to the vaccine storage alarm system when activated. Responsible for medical record retention/destruction. 

20% IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY:
Updates information in CMIS to assure children immunizations are in the registry. Reviews the list of questionable matches and collects information to correct information. Promotes ImmTrac2 registry among providers and parents. Assists providers on ImmTrac2 training.

20% VACCINE MANAGEMENT
Complies with vaccine management guidelines.  Responsible for assuring the proper handling and storage of vaccine.  Maintains accurate vaccine inventory and temperature logs for the refrigerator and freezer.  Transfers vaccines as needed, completes biological report, and maintains accurate documentation on VAOS and CMIS.

10% CONSUMER INFORMATION:
Travels to coordinate and participate in activities to inform, educate, and motivate the public in English and Spanish about the importance and safety of immunizations. Distributes the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) which inform the parents and recipients about the risks and benefits of vaccines. 

5%: DISEASE SURVEILLANCE: 
Investigates suspected Vaccine Preventable Disease dases in accordance with DSHS Surveillance manual. Responsible for entry of vaccine preventable disease data into the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) based system (NBS) notification queue including interviewing patients and requesting information from providers, hospitals and labs and enters data into NBS within 30 days of report. Quality assurance is performed on information entered in NBS and forms submitted to HSR 11 for submission to DSHS Austin.  

5% OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED:
Assists to maintain office coverage, may require traveling to other locations. Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. May require an alternate shift pattern or assignment change.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of Standards of Immunization practices for children, adolescents, and adults.

Knowledge of school immunization requirements.

Knowledge of the VFC/ASN programs and ImmTrac2.

Knowledge of medical terminology.

Knowledge of office practices administrative practices.

Knowledge of English, spelling, and writing.

knowledge in ordering and purchasing, maintenance of receipt book

Knowledge of HIPPA and confidentiality rules.

Knowledge of record retention and record destruction

Knowledge and skills organizing meetings between several individuals, departments, or organizations.

Knowledge and skills to coordinate travel arrangements.

Skill in utilizing computer programs including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and Internet.

Skilled in vaccine administration

Skilled in adverse reaction management

Skilled in basic life support

Ability to interpret immunization schedule, policies, and procedures.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information, along with data entry of files.

Ability to work harmoniously with co-workers, supervisors, and the public & resolve conflict.

Ability to function independently, ensure completion of job duties, problem solve, and exercise professional judgment.

Ability to attend work on a regular and predicable schedule. May be required to work nights and weekends.

Ability to travel and must have reliable transportation.

Ability to adhere to DSHS Universal Expectations, Guiding Principles, Code of Ethics, and Standards of Conduct.

Ability to communicate effectively and ability to present information, trainings, & presentations to the public.

Ability to understand and speak Spanish.

Ability to work effectively with supervisor, co-workers, medical professionals, and the general public in individual or joint projects.

Ability and skills to analyze data and prepare a written report.

Ability to think critically to solve problems and respond during emergency situations.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Certified Medical Assistant or Licensed to practice as a Vocational Nurse in the State of Texas

Current BLS/CPR

Valid Texas Driver's license

Maintain an acceptable driving record that meets the standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and safely operates either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle to conduct state business in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures, and Texas motor vehicle, traffic and driving licensing law.  Employee must have a valid Class C Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Applicants must clearly state how they meet each of the required initial screening criteria below.

1.     Certified as medical Assistant or Licensed to practice as a vocational nurse in the State of Texas

2.     Experience using Microsoft computer programs (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint)

4.   Applicant is bilingual as stated in the application

5.   Experience administering injections

Additional Information:

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Salary Note: The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.

The applicant selected for this position will need to maintain compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy.

Applicants must complete the required assessment associated with this job posting to be considered for this position.

Applicants invited to an interview will be required to complete a skills test/in-basket exercise.

This position may require travel up to 35% (30% day/ 5% night) of the time.

This position may require hours outside of the normal 8:00am to 5:00 pm work schedule.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form