Immunisation Staff Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Purpose

The Immunisation Nurse has a responsibility to be an effective member of the Immunisation team working across Children and Family Health Surrey (CFHS) administering immunisations in a variety of community settings including schools.

The post holder will promote the mental, physical and emotional health of individuals, families and groups and be aware of the needs of children, families and carers including vulnerable children. He / she will also have knowledge or understanding of partnership working, such as GPs, shared community services and local education authority. The service will be offered within the framework of national and local targets and available resources.

Principal duties to include:

To assist in the delivery of the school Immunisation programme in accordance with the local policies and procedures after following appropriate training.

Administer immunisations under Patient Group Direction (PGD) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure safe administrations of drugs.

Keep updated on clinical and professional developments e.g. evidence based care and core clinical skills to respond to the diversity of patient needs.

Maintains good communication with the children, young people and their families, the School Nursing team and the wider multidisciplinary team, promoting immunisation programmes in order to achieve immunisation targets.

Supervises other members of the team where appropriate and acts as a mentor for individual named bank immunisation nurses and students.

When fully competent in the role will act as Lead Nurse at immunisation sessions.

Is responsible for the management and transportation of vaccines and equipment to and from immunisation sessions as assigned by the Senior Immunisation Nurse.

To process all documentation relating to immunisation sessions and clinics, and maintain accurate record keeping.

Take responsibility for correct cold chain storage and handling of vaccines whilst in use in the community setting, including escalation of incidents via correct line management.

Ensure vaccine stock and equipment/resources at sessions are sufficient and up to date.

Implements immunisations programmes across CFHS in conjunction with Immunisations Administrators and School Nurse teams.

Communication skills (factor 1)

Be able to receive complex and sensitive information from a variety of resources and responds appropriately using skilled communication techniques to overcome barriers of understanding. For example, adapting language to the age, ability and understanding of the child/young person or their parents.

Anticipate barriers to communication and tries to arrange to meet service users in places of their choice where possible.

Enable children, young people and families to express their anxieties and concerns and, where appropriate, act as an advocate to the service user who may require support in accessing appropriate services.

To assist the senior immunisation nurse and Clinical Lead for immunisations in maintaining effective communication systems with all members of the team, and within the organisation, other agencies and the voluntary sector.

Keep thorough, accurate, signed and dated records of communication consistent with confidentiality, legislation, policies and procedures.

Participate in and contributes to meetings, working groups and the development of policy as appropriate.

Respond to immunisation queries from the Public and Staff and refer complaints and queries to the Senior Immunisation Nurse or Clinical Lead for Immunisations as appropriate.

Maintain good communication with 0-19 teams, Child Health Department and the wider multidisciplinary team.

Analytical and judgemental skills (f3).

Takes accountability for independent judgements and autonomous decisions, based on clinical assessments of the child, young person and family.

Responsible for complex information gathering, from a wide range of sources, some of which may be conflicting

Planning and organisational skills (f4)

Accountable for organising own workload as assigned by the Senior Immunisation Nurse and is responsible for the preparation and delivery of immunisation sessions.

Patient / client care (f6)

Immunises children and young people in a variety of settings.

Provide information and advice to children, adolescents, parents and other members of the public regarding immunisations, which is up to date and evidence based. This will include accurate information regarding side effects.

Communicate effectively with parents or children who may be distressed or angry, e.g. a child who is afraid, or a parent who has a concern. This will include the initial handling of complaints or concerns for the team.

Take appropriate action in cases of suspected or actual child abuse, working within Surrey Safeguarding Childrens Partnership Code of Practice and Procedures.

To be responsible for the identification and reporting of any risks, including those identified

by any member of the team, and reporting them to the Senior Immunisation Nurse

Conform at all times to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.

Policy and service development (f7)

Contributes to the development of policies, guidelines and SOPs, providing comments and feedback within own scope of practice. Contributing to service improvements and developments of the immunisation programmes

Financial and physical resources (f8)

Take responsibility to minimise incurred expenditure e.g. mileage, telephone calls, use of stationery etc.

Ensure cleanliness and maintenance of any equipment, and care with any furniture and premises used.

Manage own time effectively to include planning of workload in collaboration with other team members.

Purpose

The Immunisation Nurse has a responsibility to be an effective member of the Immunisation team working across Children and Family Health Surrey (CFHS) administering immunisations in a variety of community settings including schools.

The post holder will promote the mental, physical and emotional health of individuals, families and groups and be aware of the needs of children, families and carers including vulnerable children. He / she will also have knowledge or understanding of partnership working, such as GPs, shared community services and local education authority. The service will be offered within the framework of national and local targets and available resources.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with Children and Young People
• Knowledge of current issues affecting the NHS
• Knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of Risk Management

Desirable

• Experience of clinical supervision and appraisal
• Experience of school nursing
• Knowledge of the school based immunisation programme

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse

Desirable

• Skills for Health online Immunisation modules
• Mentor preparation
• ENB 998 or Practice Supervisor/Assessor.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to assess the needs of children and young people and act appropriately
• Ability to work independently following verbal or written instruction
• IT literate
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to organise own time effectively

Desirable

• Immunisation skills
• Teaching skills
• Ability to be assertive when working under pressure

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

CSH Surrey

Address

Leatherhead Hospital

Poplar Road

Leatherhead

Surrey

KT22 8SD

Employer's website

https://www.cshsurrey.co.uk/about-us/about-csh-surrey (Opens in a new tab)