Community Health Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Seguin, TX

4d • $3,095 - $3,845 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Immunization Program Manager and overall guidance of the Communicable Disease Manager, this position is responsible for undertaking the immunization core functions to maintain and improve immunization performance guidelines in Guadalupe and Gonzales Counties. Will promote and maintain a working relationship with local public health agencies, public and private agencies and stakeholders in the areas of Texas Vaccines for Children operations, public and private information and education, outreach, assessment, ImmTrac and surveillance. During public health emergencies, including pandemic responses such as COVID-19, all PHR 8 employees are expected to provide related public health or emergency response services. This may include response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activities. Works evenings, holidays, and weekends. Must be able to drive and travel throughout Texas independently and out-of-state to complete essential job functions.

Requirements

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent GED
• Experience working with health care providers, community groups, schools
• Experience providing education and training to various groups
• Class C Texas Driver’s License or equivalent from another state.
• Ability to maintain Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the job functions
• Ability to provide transportation
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to deal with varied job tasks.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to set priorities and organize workload to meet deadlines
• Ability to follow DSHS guiding Principles, Employee Ethics and Standards of Conduct, DSHS Policy and Procedures
• Ability to interpret public health laws, procedures, and regulations
• Ability to solve problems, prioritize, plan, and execute work
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, preferably in English and Spanish
• Ability to initiate and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with the public, local officials, health care professionals, and local agency personnel
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Skill in time management and managing multiple projects or tasks
• Skill in building and maintaining community partnerships
• Skill in conducting site reviews to determine compliance with policies and procedures
• Skill in public speaking and effective oral and written communication
• Skill in automated systems such as VAOS, Syntropi and ImmTrac2.
• Skill in using computer software programs in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, electronic mail and Internet, specifically MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook.
• Skill in developing and providing individual and group education or training
• Knowledge of immunization recommendations and requirements.
• Knowledge of the Texas Vaccines for Children program
• Knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Knowledge of basic teaching, learning, and behavior change theories
• Knowledge of community resources
• Knowledge of public health and prevention practices and procedures
• Knowledge of social, economic and public health issues

Nice To Haves

• Spanish-speaking preferred.

Responsibilities

• Recruits and retains providers for the Texas Vaccines for Children Program.
• Serves as a resource and offers technical assistance to TVFC providers on VFC program requirements, vaccine ordering and receiving, vaccine storage and handling, and vaccine inventory.
• Conducts TVFC site monitoring follow-up visits in private clinics in the counties served to ensure that deficiencies are corrected, TVFC program requirements are being met and clinics are making progress in improving service delivery.
• Determines immunization coverage levels of the community in both the public and private sectors, utilizing assigned methodologies.
• Conducts childcare facility and school assessments, audits and validation surveys to determine immunization levels and compliance.
• Offers technical assistance and resources (assessment software, reminder-recall systems) to improve immunization coverage levels.
• Works with school nurses to ensure completion of the Annual Report of Immunization Status.
• Assists in providing clinic services.
• Screens clients for eligibility for agency services and schedules appointments in the Electronic Health Record system.
• Follows up on missed appointments.
• Assures patient confidentiality and adheres to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Maintains and reports vaccine inventory and doses administered by established deadlines and follows vaccine storage and handling guidelines and requirements.
• Ensures vaccine inventory is sufficient for clinic needs.
• Communicates and presents public health and immunization issues to community officials, service organizations, other state agencies, public and private providers, schools, childcare facilities and the general public.
• Informs and educates the public on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Serves as a resource and provides immunization information to public health and private health care providers about vaccines, vaccine-preventable diseases, immunization services and immunization recommendations and requirements.
• Promotes the statewide immunization registry, ImmTrac, to public and private sector providers, schools and childcare facilities.
• Provides education and training on the proper use of ImmTrac2 to providers.
• Develops, coordinates and implements outreach programs in connection with other agencies and groups to promote age-appropriate immunizations.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with agencies, private health agencies and other public and private groups involved in the community.
• Serves as a resource to ensure individuals are linked to health care providers.
• Assess the need, and coordinate immunization clinics with Public Health Region 8 staff and community stakeholders in communities where additional immunization services are needed and work closely with Community Health Improvement staff in planning and implementing activities to improve immunization rates and decrease rates of conscientious exemptions.
• Ensure immunization services for children and adults by providing support or other assistance for Public Health Region 8 field offices.
• Assist in disease surveillance and disease investigation as needed.
• Reports immunization activities monthly.
• Actively participates or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
• Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Benefits

• Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED