Public Health Immunization nurse interview...any advice?

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Friday I have an interview for a health department immunization nurse, which I REALLY want!! I have worked in a health department before and this one is MUCH closer at my home. This would be a dream job for me!! :)

Any advice for me? Are there certain questions I should ask or any questions they may ask me that I need to prepare for? I want this position so badly! I have been waiting 3 months to get an interview!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

Be ready to answer questions about the current immunization schedules, modified schedules, and schedules for children, adults and elderly. Make sure you study the current CDC recs inside and out.

Be ready to speak to scenarios involving parents who are resistant to immunizations and what you would say in those instances.

Be ready to show cultural competence by being knowledgable about how different cultures perceive health care, immunizations and how language barriers can affect preventative care.

Be ready to show them you understand how immunizations work, and how you'd explain their mechanism to patients.

Know your Hep shots well, know the difference between DTAP and TDAP, and available combos for kids. Know what gauge needles to use, and what other delivery routes are available (nasal sprays, PO).

Have some answers ready for scenarios like a huge man fainting; a combative child; an allergic reaction; needlesticking yourself; consent, VIS and documentation (study up on what your state requires, if there is a state immunization database and if you know how to use it) and how to provide verified documentation to schools and employers.

CRUCIAL: know your storage and transport protocols! Be able to talk about rotating stock by exp. date; temperature control, calibration and logging; the cold chain & how to maintain it; backup systems and plans if power fails. Losing stock due to temp maintenance failure can cost THOUSANDS of dollars.

I was a PHN for 4 years and was in charge of my clinic's immunization program and these are things I'd ask about! Good luck and keep us posted!!!!

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Be ready to answer questions about the current immunization schedules, modified schedules, and schedules for children, adults and elderly. Make sure you study the current CDC recs inside and out.

Be ready to speak to scenarios involving parents who are resistant to immunizations and what you would say in those instances.

Be ready to show cultural competence by being knowledgable about how different cultures perceive health care, immunizations and how language barriers can affect preventative care.

Be ready to show them you understand how immunizations work, and how you'd explain their mechanism to patients.

Know your Hep shots well, know the difference between DTAP and TDAP, and available combos for kids. Know what gauge needles to use, and what other delivery routes are available (nasal sprays, PO).

Have some answers ready for scenarios like a huge man fainting; a combative child; an allergic reaction; needlesticking yourself; consent, VIS and documentation (study up on what your state requires, if there is a state immunization database and if you know how to use it) and how to provide verified documentation to schools and employers.

CRUCIAL: know your storage and transport protocols! Be able to talk about rotating stock by exp. date; temperature control, calibration and logging; the cold chain & how to maintain it; backup systems and plans if power fails. Losing stock due to temp maintenance failure can cost THOUSANDS of dollars.

I was a PHN for 4 years and was in charge of my clinic's immunization program and these are things I'd ask about! Good luck and keep us posted!!!!

I deeply appreciate this!! I am also a former PHN and have given many vaccines, am proficient in our state registry, and have dealt with people on vaccine reactions, how they work, and resistance.

As for vaccine schedules, I always kept an updated CDC pocket card with me for vaccine protocols and schedules. I would rather be correct on giving them over guessing and making an error.

Are there any questions I should be sure to ask?? I will definitely update after the interview ;)

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

Ask what a good day is like and what a bad day is like; what kind of and how many support/clerical staff the department has; ask what their main revenue sources are; what protocols they have in place in the case of outbreak or pandemic.

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Thank you :)

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Interview is Friday and I am getting myself ready...praying I ace it! :)

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

You'll knock their socks off! Remember to show up with resumes, licenses and references in hand, with copies for all. You GOT THIS!

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You'll knock their socks off! Remember to show up with resumes, licenses and references in hand, with copies for all. You GOT THIS!

Thank you for the reminder......and no worries, I intend to send their socks flying! ;)

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I killed that interview ;)

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

Keep us posted!!!

How did it go?

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They asked me a lot of situational questions such as how to handle conflicts, how would I organize a stressful, busy situation, how to manage diversity in the workplace, what were my strengths & weaknesses, how have I used resources to create a change and educate clients. They took a lot of notes on my answers, smiling & nodding while they were writing. :)

They went over hours, salary, benefits, and about clinics they set up n the community. I was sure to ask questions about staffing, orientation/training, and how many patients they average daily. Whole interview lasted about an hour. All of the questions made me feel like I was talking in circles haha! As the nurse manager escorted me out afterwards, she asked about my availability and I told her I was ready immediately.

I really hope to get an offer! They told me I would have to wait 1-2 weeks for a decision.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Awesome! Wish you all the best.

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