Nurse Consultant, Immunization Policy

Role Responsibilities

Join the immunization team at Alberta Health as a Nurse Consultant, playing a critical role in shaping the province's immunization programs. This position involves comprehensive responsibilities across policy development, clinical guidance, stakeholder engagement, and surveillance related to immunization programs across Alberta.

The job responsibilities include:
Alberta Immunization Policy Development:

• Assist in the development and enhancement of Alberta's immunization policies, including conducting literature reviews, and environmental scans.
• Create and review policies and guidelines for new or enhanced vaccine programs.
• Develop work plans and provide strategic direction for childhood immunization programs and other complex health initiatives.
• Offer clinical expertise, interpret policies, and support stakeholders with program recommendations.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of immunization biological pages, ensuring accuracy of vaccine-related clinical documents such as indications, dosage, contraindications, and adverse reactions.

Alberta Advisory Committee on Immunization (AACI):

• Co-lead the strategic policy development for new or enhanced immunization programs, leveraging data collection, research, and document drafting.
• Collaborate on resource development, including cost-effectiveness studies, epidemiological data, and vaccine safety analysis.
• Lead presentations to AACI regarding immunization program policy options.

Immunization Regulation:

• Provide expert clinical input for policy development and regulatory guidance.
• Lead stakeholder engagement with immunizers and healthcare providers across various sectors (e.g., pharmacists, nurses, physicians).
• Offer consultative advice on the Immunization Regulation requirements.

Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs):

• Assist in the development and implementation of policies related to the surveillance of AEFIs, ensuring public safety.
• Provide leadership in investigating and addressing potential public safety risks associated with immunization.
• Advise the Chief Medical Officer of Health on AEFIs and lead recall efforts for unsafe immunization products.
• Innovate and streamline the surveillance of AEFIs to improve safety.
• Collaborate at the national level with the Public Health Agency of Canada to ensure vaccine safety.

Vaccine Storage and Handling:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Alberta’s Vaccine Storage and Handling Policy.
• Provide consultative advice on vaccine storage, handling, and transportation requirements in accordance with best practices and regulatory guidelines.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Support operational, logistical, and information systems components of the Alberta Immunization program.
• Lead projects as assigned, including creating print materials, web content, and reviewing scope-of-practice requests.
• Respond to Ministerial requests such as briefing notes, action requests, and public inquiries.
• Represent the department at forums or meetings related to the Alberta Immunization Program.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: 
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

Systems Thinking:

• Take a holistic, long-term approach to understanding the organization’s challenges and opportunities.
• Anticipate outcomes and potential impacts of decisions, while seeking input from stakeholders.
• Work with others to identify areas for collaboration and implement actions aligned with APS values and objectives.

Creative Problem Solving:

• Engage with the community and relevant resources to address root causes of issues.
• Identify and implement ways to improve complex systems.
• Utilize resources from other areas to solve problems while ensuring risks are managed.
• Facilitate idea generation, debate, and collaboration to create innovative solutions.

Agility:

• Identify alternative approaches and proactively manage change and its risks.
• Clearly communicate the impact of changes and anticipate and mitigate emotional responses from others.
• Stay focused on goals despite challenges, making decisions in uncertain situations and creating backup plans.

Drive for Results:

• Take and delegate responsibility for outcomes, driving consistent and measurable results.
• Use a variety of tools and resources to monitor your performance and align with organizational goals.
• Commit to what is good for Albertans, even when it may not be immediately popular.

Develop Networks:

• Cultivate relationships across various stakeholder groups, seeking their perspectives and input on initiatives.
• Engage actively in long-term goal setting and change initiatives.
• Foster and maintain strong, professional relationships to achieve collective success.

Build Collaborative Environments:

• Encourage broad thinking and remove barriers to project progress.
• Facilitate open communication, collaboration, and positive working relationships.
• Proactively address and mitigate potential conflicts, ensuring everyone is heard and valued.
• Acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of others, promoting teamwork and commitment.

Develop Self and Others:

• Align personal development goals with career aspirations, striving for growth and excellence.
• Continuously challenge yourself with stretch goals while leveraging your strengths.
• Provide constructive feedback and engage in discussions about team performance.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment that values team diversity and personal development.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University degree in nursing and four (4) years of related experience in research, policy development and analysis. Must be a regulated member of the appropriate college (i.e. College of Registered Nurses of Alberta).

The following experience is required: 

• Experience in vaccine preventable diseases (e.g. immunization programs).    
• Demonstrated experience in project/program planning, development, administration, and operation.
• Demonstrated experience requiring strong interpersonal skills and managing relationships.
• Experience in managing and directing complex projects or programs.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and critical thinking.
• Experience in public health policy and legislation.

The following experience is considered as assets:

• Experience in project management.
• Front line experience in an immunization clinic setting, understanding immunization schedules, and appropriate operations of all schedules.
• Strong communication skills with an ability to communicate with the public in easy-to-understand language.
• Clinical expertise in communicable disease control.

The following experience will be given preference:

• An advanced level of clinical expertise in public health immunization programs and a broad knowledge of Alberta's healthcare system. Clinical expertise in communicable disease control is an asset.
• Current knowledge of emerging public health issues (e.g., communicable diseases, marketing, strategies, theories related to health promotion).
• Must understand how multiple strategies and initiatives fit into complex programs and services at the provincial, site and zone levels and across governmental ministries.
• Extensive knowledge of policy development and project management.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of strategy development related to vaccine preventable diseases.
• Sound knowledge of the current state of immunization programs, policies and regulations/legislation, particularly as it relates to the potential participation of a broad range of immunizers.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Full-time position working 36.25 hours per week. 

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required. 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits 
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs