Immunization Coordinator

Responsible for establishing, sustaining and improving evidence-based systems and processes for proper storage, handling and administration of vaccines across the medical group to ensure quality safe patient care. Maintains vaccine efficacy and protects the financial investment in vaccines, supporting Medical Group Strategies.

Advocate Aurora Health has supported new positions for Vaccine Safety, with an IL Immunization Coordinator and System Vaccine Coordinator due to the expansion of our organization and quantity of vaccinations administered within our clinical setting.

Major Responsibilities:
• Acts as a vaccine and immunization subject matter expert for the medical group. Maintains current knowledge of state and federal regulations, existing and new vaccines, CHIP and Vaccine for Children programs. Takes appropriate action to remain compliant and ensure patients are offered the current immunizations based on CDC recommendations, AAH vaccine schedule and new vaccines.
• Establishes quality control measures thru remote monitoring, audits, and trending of incident reports to identify areas of risk for the medical group. Collaborates with leadership to establish system standards, processes, and action plans to mitigate risks to the patient, team members and the organization.
• Regularly updates policies, procedures, toolkits and audit tools to reflect current guidelines and best practices. Work closely with the education department, informatics and ambulatory nursing leadership to support development of new team member orientation, ongoing competency and "just in time" training. Responsible for annual planning for Flu, COVID, Pneumonia vaccination clinics with the System Ambulatory Team.
• Participates in and collaborates on system vaccine safety committees, ambulatory medication safety committees and other appropriate internal and external committees to establish, implement, monitor and measure goals related to safe storage, handling and administration of vaccines.
• Establishes solid working relationships at state and community level for immunization programs. Works collaboratively across the medical group and AAH system for safe storage, handling and administration of vaccines.
• Utilizes a variety of mechanisms to communicate information related to safe storage and handling of vaccines to the clinic sites and departments. Reinforces existing practices/information and identifies new evidence-based practices to employ. Coordinates need to know information and regularly scheduled meetings with vaccine coordinators and/or their supervisors.
• Acts as the liaison between AAH Information Technology, purchasing, facilities and manufacturers to ensure equipment functions properly and meets the CDC, state and VFC standards for safe storage and handling. Reviews regularly standard equipment list, modifies as necessary and ensures sites update equipment.
• Works with Clinical Informatics and HIT to optimize EPIC functionality for documenting vaccinations, including how to integrate Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) and I-Care. Responsible for implementation of state immunization registries which includes training new team members/site vaccine coordinators, vaccine inventory tracking, providing ongoing education, and verifying immunization records for outside sources.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:
• None Required.

Education Required:
• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent knowledge) in Health Care Administration or related field.

Experience Required:
• Typically requires 3 years of experience in providing vaccinations and immunizations within a pediatrics and/or family practice clinic setting, that includes experiences in vaccination /immunization protocols, records, regulations and administration.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
• This position requires current licensure as a LPN or RN in the state in which they practice, or successful completion from an accredited medical assistant program.
• Knowledge of Vaccine for Children Program - Wisconsin and Illinois, Center for Disease Control Immunization Standards, WI and Ill immunization registries.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills which may include communicating with leaders, staff, community partners, and other patients/customers related to immunizations. Ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships.
• In depth knowledge of vaccination /immunization protocols, records, regulations and administration.
• Demonstrated organization, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as an effective member with varying levels of the health care teams.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office products (word, excel, PowerPoint, TEAMS), electronic mail and electronic medical record systems.

Midas event reporting, team member and leadership consultation surrounding vaccine related content, and knowledge of state/ federal regulations to maintain accuracy for new and existing vaccines depend on this position. For the state, the Immunization Coordinator ensures appropriate action to remain compliant and ensure patients are offered current immunizations based on CDC, AAH schedules in a safe consistent manner.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
• Exposed to a normal medical office environment.
• Position requires travel; may be exposed to hazardous road or weather conditions.
• Occasionally must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.