Vaccine for Children Coordinator

Overview

The Vaccine for Children Coordinator serves as a contact for the Georgia Vaccine for Children (VFC) program. The VFCC conducts monthly review of vaccine usage, inventory, and eligibility documentation using the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transaction and Services (GRITS) and approves vaccine orders. This position will analyze data to determine whether current VFC vaccine management and storage policies and procedures are effectively carried out by the practice. The VFCC is further responsible for inventory management, temperature excursions, and monthly reporting. Vaccine management includes vaccine ordering, inventory and reconciliation, storage and handling, temperature monitoring, transfer of vaccines, administering and managing an emergency plan.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Medical Assistant experienced with the vaccine schedule as well as with administering vaccines preferred.
• Knowledge and skills related to the use of the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS).
• Knowledge and skills related to the use of Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC's) Vaccine Tracking System (VTrckS).
• Knowledge of current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) vaccine recommendations.
• Excellent communication, organizational and customer service skills.
• Excellent phone etiquette.

Responsibilities

• Performs job duties with supervision from the nursing leadership.
• Serve as the immunization resource for assigned providers.
• Monitors, assess, and evaluates VFC providers to determine compliance with VFC vaccine management, storage and handling policies and guidelines.
• Check and record Min/Max temperatures daily (beginning of each clinic day) for every vaccine storage unit.
• Assure refrigerator temperatures are within acceptable range: between 35° and 46° Fahrenheit (2° and 8° Celsius).
• Maintain freezer temperatures below 5° Fahrenheit (-15° Celsius).
• Take immediate action if temperatures are not within appropriate ranges (isolate/quarantine) vaccine. Download data logger and check time out of range; and consult the VSIR Decision Tree. If needed submit Vaccine Storage Incident Report Form (VSIR) to your IFC.
• Ensure that digital data loggers (thermometers) are downloaded by the 5th of each month into OSIIS. Failure to comply could result in suspension from vaccine ordering.
• Ensure that when Vaccine stock arrives that the packing slip matches the contents, and that the internal temperature of the shipping container is at the appropriate temperature range for the vaccine contained within. Also ensure stock gets stored in appropriated refrigerator/freezer and the order has been received in OSIIS (making sure the packing slip also matches the OSIIS statement) as soon as it appears.
• Perform a physical inventory of vaccines on hand and determine doses administered since the date of the last reconciliation. Resolve all vaccine discrepancies before submitting to the registry system.
• Report all days that the practice will be closed during the coming month to prevent vaccines from getting delivered when the site is closed.
• Provides administrative assistance to the GRITS Program - VFC Section.
• Provides technical assistance and advice to internal/external immunization partners and the public to educate, develop, implement and improve immunization practices.
• Review and interprets immunization state and federal policies and regulations.
• Assists management in the development of policies, procedures, protocols, and guidelines to ensure continuous quality improvement within the program.
• Compiles daily reports and reconciles vaccines daily.
• Contact nursing leadership and GRITS as soon as you suspect vaccine may be spoiled to determine viability.
• Separate vaccine wasted from main supply and label “DO NOT USE”.
• Works with MedCura management to develop and implement long and short-term goals.
• Participates in Public Health Emergency response as needed.
• Stays current with required Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and GRITS trainings and ensures that all clinical assistance staff remain current with these trainings.