EPI Officer at International Rescue Committee

Job Description

Working under the guidance and supervision of the health manager, the EPI Officer will be responsible for:

Key Responsibilities

• Sensitization and ensuring that Infection prevention and control guidelines and procedures in line with Covid-19 prevention are in place and are followed strictly.
• Supervising all EPI and Covid-19 vaccination activities at a designated health facility and during the outreaches.
• Ensure that all mothers and caregivers are understand adverse event following Immunization.
• Ensure that cold chain is maintained at the EPI Store.
• Collect data in link with vaccination activities and submit to M&E or team leader.
• Follow-up adverse event following immunization (AEFI) among vaccinated children and clients who received Covid-19 vaccines.
• Identifying and managing as appropriate, the defaulter tracing ways/mechanism together with the CHPOs to achieve low dropout rates.
• Responsible for supervision of Immunization clinics and vaccine administration.
• Ensuring that all required indicators are followed up on regular manner and various interventions put in place to ensure good immunization coverages.
• Performing Covid-19 vaccine and other RI vaccines forecasting and ordering from the Regional DVI/NVIP store.
• Conducting regular training session for refugee staff on basic nursing care/management of various ward cases, charting and vaccination.
• Giving regular health education to caregiver and clients on various immunization issues.
• Compiling and timely submitting all relevant immunization reports using whichever reporting tools adopted by the organization or programs.
• Monitoring and supervising proper usage of supplies at the assigned EPI departments or units.
• Taking care of equipment to ensure they are maintained in good condition and submit regular inventory report and vaccines stocks of the same to the supervisor.
• Ensuring that all admissions, discharges, transfers and deaths are properly recorded as they occur.
• Supervising the EPI nurse /incentive staff working in EPI at a designated Health facility.
• Providing clear handover reports when going for leave.
• Together with the facility incharges, organize for adequate clinic or EPI coverage when required.
• Support the surveillance officer in surveillance for notifiable diseases.
• Preparing budgets and proposal in conjunction with the health manager.
• Carrying out any other additional duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Key Result Areas

• Enforce infection prevention and control guidelines and procedures.
• She/he is responsible to ensure all activities are implemented according to the work plan and that targets are met.
• Responsible to track daily, weekly and monthly indicators report and covid-19 vaccination reports.
• Continue Covid-19 vaccination activities.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Community Health Nursing from KMTC or a diploma in nursing from a recognized nursing training institution.
• Be registered and have a valid license from the Nursing Council of Kenya

Required Experience & Competencies

• At least 2 years working experience in a MCH and immunization clinic setup.
• Computer literate.
• Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach local staff and community workers.
• Experience in implementing child health and immunization interventions in hard-to-reach populations.
• Experience in rolling out social behavior change strategy in vulnerable populations.
• Team player and cultural sensitivity is required.
• Training on Immunization and IDSR is key.
• Fluency in Turkana/Somali will be an added advantage.