Vaccinations and Immunisations Training – Tues 15 June – Part 2
This two-part series is designed for Nurses and HCAs. In this session we will:
– Describe the requirements for vaccine ordering, storage and handling
– Discuss the use of PGDs and be aware of recent updates
– Discuss vaccine related problems encountered in practice
Vaccinations and Immunisations Training – Tues 15 Sept – Part 1
This two-part series is designed for Nurses and HCAs. In this session we will:
– Recognise the importance of immunisation in the prevention of vaccine preventable diseases
– Discuss recent local outbreak of vaccine preventable diseases
– Describe the current routine immunisation programme in the UK
– Discuss vaccine recommendations for the 2020/21 flu season
Speaker: Ashleigh Bradley, Lead Clinical Commissioning Pharmacist, NHS West Sussex CCG
Health Care Support Worker, Level 1 – 4 , Competency, Skills and Qualification Framework
Health Sciences – Continuing Professional Development (for the non-medical workforce):
- https://www.surrey.ac.uk/healthsciences/professional-development/cpd-modules.htm
- https://www.brighton.ac.uk/studying-here/find-a-course/cpd-in-health-sciences/index.aspx
Immunisations resources:
Online training – recording and slides available – https://allianceforbettercare.org/vaccinations-and-imms-training
Green Book – https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book
Complete Immunisation schedule – www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisationUncertain/Incomplete
Immunisation schedule – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaccination-of-individuals-with-uncertain-or-incomplete-immunisation-status
Immunisation Standards for Registered Practitioners (2018) – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-minimum-standards-and-core-curriculum-for-immunisation-training-for-registered-healthcare-practitioners
Immunisation Standards for Healthcare Support Workers (2012) – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisation-training-of-healthcare-support-workers-national-minimum-standards-and-core-curriculum
Immunisations FAQ’s
Do I need to have a face to face update every year?
Ideally updates should be carried out face to face but if someone is not able to attend the session for various reasons there is an opportunity to do this via e-learning. We would not however recommend this approach. Practice managers should be aware of this and agree the e-learning update. Below is some information from Health Education England about IMMS updates.
The national immunisation programme is subject to continual evaluation and review by the JCVI in response to new and emerging evidence, resulting in regular changes to vaccine policy. In recent years the national programme has undergone significant expansion and the schedule has become more complex. In order to ensure the ongoing National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Immunisation Training 16 delivery of a high quality, safe and effective national immunisation programme, practitioners who have completed their foundation immunisation training require access to regular and ongoing, high quality update training. Updates should also provide an opportunity for immunisers to identify any gaps in their knowledge and competence and address any queries or challenging issues that have arisen in the course of their practice.
It is therefore recommended that annual updates should be provided for all immunisers. These updates should include the areas listed below and cover any recommended changes to practice and the most up to date policies and guidelines.
Immunisations FAQ’s
Do I need to have a face to face update every year?
Ideally updates should be carried out face to face but if someone is not able to attend the session for various reasons there is an opportunity to do this via e-learning. We would not however recommend this approach. Practice managers should be aware of this and agree the e-learning update. Below is some information from Health Education England about IMMS updates.
The national immunisation programme is subject to continual evaluation and review by the JCVI in response to new and emerging evidence, resulting in regular changes to vaccine policy. In recent years the national programme has undergone significant expansion and the schedule has become more complex. In order to ensure the ongoing National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Immunisation Training 16 delivery of a high quality, safe and effective national immunisation programme, practitioners who have completed their foundation immunisation training require access to regular and ongoing, high quality update training. Updates should also provide an opportunity for immunisers to identify any gaps in their knowledge and competence and address any queries or challenging issues that have arisen in the course of their practice.
It is therefore recommended that annual updates should be provided for all immunisers. These updates should include the areas listed below and cover any recommended changes to practice and the most up to date policies and guidelines.
Topics to include in immunisation updates training:
1. Current issues in immunisation
2. Recent epidemiology of vaccine preventable disease
3. Any changes to vaccine recommendations or national policy
4. Update on vaccine ordering, storage and administration
5. Any changes to legislation relevant to vaccination
6. Review of current practice, recent vaccine incidents and identification of areas for improvement
7. Q&A session for problems encountered in practice
Specific training in Basic Life Support and anaphylaxis recognition and management should also be undertaken annually or as per employer’s stipulations. Where major changes are made to existing programmes or new vaccines are introduced, additional training sessions should be organised and these should be attended by the relevant immunisers e.g. sessions for a new vaccine for school age children should be attended by school nurses. General Practice and team meetings also provide an ideal opportunity for immunisation update sessions.
Face to face updates are likely to be of particular value to those who give or advise on a diverse range of immunisations e.g. Practice Nurses. They provide an excellent opportunity to interact with other immunisers, work through scenarios and discuss any clinical issues that are arising in practice.
However, it is recognised that for some immunisers in some areas of practice, face-to face updates may not be feasible, updating may be best undertaken through self National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Immunisation Training 17 directed learning, and providers should give practitioners time to do this. Methods for this may include undertaking the assessment modules of an immunisation e-learning programme and doing/re-doing the necessary modules to refresh knowledge. Practitioners could also read through the “Information for healthcare practitioner” documents on the PHE website, listen to any available webcasts and read recently published articles on immunisation relevant to their area of practice. Country specific guidance is also available for Wales and Northern Ireland. They should also take the opportunity to work through the competency assessment tool again, either on their own or with a supervisor or colleague to ensure they still feel they can confidently meet all areas.
Immunisation PGD
Click here to view current PGD as well as links to useful information and resources.
Nurse Associates – information for employers and candidates
- The role of Nurse Associates in General Practice
- The pathway for developing an HCA towards Nurse Associate registration
- Information about the Nurse Associate and Assistant Practitioner courses
- Nursing Associate NMC Standards
- Requirements for starting a Nurse Associate Course at Brighton University
- Information for Practices hosting external Trainee Nurse Associate placements
- Trainee hours during placement
