Improving Immunization Techniques - A Collaborative Effort to Educate Medical Assistants

Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
1. By the end of the presentation participants will be able to recognize the role of the Immunization Coalition in providing education regarding immunization delivery
2. By the end of the presentation participants will be able to identify improvement in immunization practices after completion of the Immunization Skills Institute
3. By the end of the presentation participants will be able to promote safe and effective immunization delivery

Background:
Medical Assistants (MA) are unlicensed personnel who have limited training, function under the supervision of a licensed physician, and provide immunizations and other supportive services in medical offices. The Orange County Immunization Coalition (OCIC), recognizing the need to increase competency in MAs and using a curriculum developed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), sponsored instructional classes for volunteer registered nurses, who would serve as instructors for MA education.

Setting:
N/A

Population:
N/A

Project Description:
Recognizing the need for basic training in vaccine administration by MAs, OCIC coordinates with the CDPH for a full day instructor-training course for RNs. Upon course completion, the RN agrees to teach at least one Immunization Skills Institute (ISI) workshop sponsored by the Coalition.
Advertising the ISI to provider offices results in capacity enrollment for each course. A pretest, measuring competence in vaccine administration, is given prior to each class. The four hour class includes lecture, video and skill stations. The skill stations allow direct observation and critiquing of MA competency by the RN. The MA completes a post test and evaluation

Results/Lessons Learned:
Pretest scores show participants achieving an average score of 68%. After completion of the first eight classes, post tests show a 22% increase in knowledge of correct vaccine delivery, increasing the average score to 90% for the 150 participants. OCIC, in collaboration with the CDPH, can take credit for improving vaccine administration in many California provider offices and clinics.