VFC Program Reviewer

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Public sector pension

Worksite Wellness Program

Work From Home Policy

Job summary

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is seeking a Public Health Epidemiologist to support the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program within the Bureau of Immunization. The role focuses on ensuring vaccine storage, handling, and documentation compliance during provider site visits across the five boroughs, and on delivering quality improvement guidance through CIR and IQIP activities.

The position requires strong epidemiology expertise, field experience, and excellent communication

Qualifications

• Master's degree in epidemiology or public health with epidemiology focus and required credits or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-person Vaccines for Children (VFC) program compliance site visits among providers enrolled in the VFC program across NYC to review CDC requirements for vaccine storage, handling, documentation, and administration.
• Conduct VFC IQIP site visits and review immunization delivery practices, discuss quality improvement, and provide CIR technical assistance.
• Serve as a liaison between providers and the Vaccines for Children Program Unit.
• Prepare materials for site visits and document field activity data in internal systems.
• Analyze status and progress of site visits and coordinate actions with Vaccine Management and CIR.
• Attend required meetings and trainings and participate in emergency preparedness activities.
• Support Bureau of Immunization and perform non-routine tasks as needed.

Skills

Immunization background

Field visits experience

Oral and written communication

Analytical problem solving

Critical thinking

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Master's degree in epidemiology/public health

Bachelor's degree + 2 years related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Minimum Qualifications

1. A master's degree from an accredited college or university in epidemiology, public health with a concentration in epidemiology, or a health-related field with a minimum of 6 graduate credits in epidemiology and 6 additional graduate credits in epidemiology or biostatistics; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university plus two years of full-time paid experience as a health professional in a position which requires data collection and the reading and interpretation of medical charts and medical information in support of surveillance and epidemiologic investigations.

Preferred Skills

• Must have a strong background in immunization and knowledge of the VFC program
• Experience conducting field visits and working in the health care community
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong problem solving and organizational skills, with ability to multi-task and track activities
• Strong critical thinking skills and interpersonal skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications (i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Committed to the primary prevention of disease through vaccination

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

Division/Program Summary: The mission of the Bureau of Immunization (BOI) is to prevent the occurrence and transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) through comprehensive immunization programs. BOI promotes immunization across the lifespan from infancy through adulthood, works to eliminate disparities in vaccination coverage through data evaluation and support of equitable vaccination services, and actively responds to VPD outbreaks to mitigate their spread and impact on communities.

The NYC Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program distributes federally funded vaccines to private practices, hospitals, and clinics to immunize children aged 0 through 18 years who are eligible for or covered by Medicaid, are uninsured, American Indian/Alaska Native, or whose insurance does not cover the cost of a vaccine. In New York City, the VFC Unit oversees the review and evaluation of VFC provider practices and is implemented through VFC and IQIP (Immunization Quality Improvement for Providers) site visits conducted by Public Health Epidemiologist. These visits involve vaccine storage and handling evaluations, chart reviews, analysis of electronic immunization records, vaccine ordering, and vaccine utilization and reporting through NYC's Citywide Immunization Registry. The VFC Unit is also responsible for vaccine management and processing of over 2.6 million doses of publicly funded vaccine for nearly 1,200 immunization providers each year. Providers receive vaccines in accordance with their vaccine reporting to the CIR and the VFC Unit addresses any issues that may require follow-up.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct in-person Vaccines for Children (VFC) program compliance site visits among providers enrolled in the VFC program throughout the five boroughs of NYC to review CDC compliance requirements for vaccine storage and handling, vaccine accountability, vaccine documentation, and appropriate administration of vaccines.
• Conduct virtual and/or in-person VFC IQIP site visits and review of immunization delivery practices and site-specific immunization coverage, discussion of quality improvement strategies, and delivery of Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR) technical assistance. This visit is delivered in 4 parts over 12 months and consists of an initial site visit, 2-month check-in, -month check-in, and 12-month follow-up.
• Serve as a liaison between providers and the Vaccines for Children Program Unit.
• Prepare necessary materials needed for the site visit.
• Document all field activity data in various internal and external tools and systems.
• Analyze status and progress of site visits.
• Coordinate actions with other bureau teams including Vaccine Management and CIR. to improve and maximize field activities in response to provider incidents.
• Attend all required internal and/or external meetings and trainings.
• Participate in required agency-wide emergency preparedness activities and respond promptly and appropriately during activation period.
• Support the Bureau of Immunization and conduct non-routine tasks as needed.

Why you should work for us:

• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
• o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• o a tax-deferred savings program and
• o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Commitment to Equity:

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST - 51181