Community Health Specialist

About the role

The Community Health Specialist I works under the direction of the nurse supervisor to support public health services throughout Region 11. This position supports immunization and surveillance activities by providing community outreach and education, maintaining vaccine inventory and cold chain standards, documenting services accurately, and coordinating care with other public health programs.

Responsibilities

• (30%) Client Services - Provides public health services to clients with simple to complex health needs across Region 11. Conducts and supports immunization clinics for under-immunized infants, children, adolescents, and adults, including services delivered in clinic settings and community-based locations. Performs screening activities, protects confidentiality, and completes accurate clinical documentation and electronic health record entries. Employees who hold an applicable license or certificate may administer vaccines and medications in accordance with DSHS guidelines, professional standards, and program eligibility requirements.
• (15%) Community Education and Consumer Information - Travels to coordinate and participate in community outreach and education activities that promote the importance, safety, and benefits of immunization. Communicates effectively with clients, families, and community partners in English and Spanish, as applicable. Provides Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) and reinforces client understanding of vaccine risks, benefits, and follow-up care instructions.
• (15%) Vaccine Management - Maintains compliance with vaccine management requirements, including proper storage, handling, transport, temperature monitoring, and inventory control. Responds appropriately to temperature excursions, including after-hours, weekends, and holiday notifications when assigned. Completes required documentation and maintains accurate records in applicable systems, including VAOS, IMMTRAC2, CMIS, and PIOS.
• (10%) Program Management - Provides administrative and operational support for public health nursing program activities. Greets and assists clients; answers telephone inquiries; performs filing, faxing, copying, and other office support functions. Coordinates the receipt, storage, and shipment of vaccines in accordance with program requirements. Maintains stakeholder and partner contact lists and assists with communications and outreach efforts to promote community engagement in public health initiatives.
• (10%) Immunization Registry - Maintains and updates immunization registry information to support program goals and accurate client records. Promotes IMMTRAC2 participation among self, parents, guardians, and providers, and assists with reconciliation of questionable matches and other registry-related follow-up activities.
• (10%) Coordination of Services - Coordinates with TB, STD, and community health programs to support comprehensive services for clients and families. May assist with direct observation therapy, point-of-care testing/treatment, specimen collection, follow-up activities, and community education initiatives related to child injury prevention, water safety, bullying prevention, suicide prevention, and healthy living.
• (5%) Surveillance - Applies epidemiologic principles and program procedures to support the prevention, investigation, and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and related public health concerns. Assists with case investigations, adverse event follow-up, and reporting requirements in accordance with the DSHS Surveillance Manual and program guidance.
• (5%) Other Duties - Performs other duties as assigned, including supporting disaster response, outbreak response, recovery operations, and Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. These duties may require alternate schedules, after-hours work, or assignment to an alternate work location.

Qualifications

• Must obtain a Community Health Worker certificate within 18 months of hire.
• Current BLS/CPR certification, or the ability to obtain certification within the required time frame.
• Valid Class C Texas driver’s license, or an equivalent driver’s license from another state.
• This position may be held by a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Medical Assistant (MA), or another grandfathered experienced worker. Licenses and Certificates should be maintained active. Duties related to vaccine administration must be performed in accordance with the employee’s license or certificate and applicable law, rule, and policy.