Immunization Skills Training for Medical Assistants, LPNs, and Nurses

Immunization skills training is essential to strengthen the foundation of medical assistants and LPNs who are routine immunizers in private practice settings, and for nurses and others working in areas not requiring immunization skills but who may be called upon to assist with community influenza clinics or emergency immunization efforts.

Background: Medical assistants and LPNs are increasingly providing immunizations in private practice settings. Education of medical assistants and LPNs varies and, particularly for medical assistants, often does not include hands-on training for immunization. In addition, nurses and others from all backgrounds including positions not requiring immunization skills or knowledge are being called upon to participate in community influenza clinics and also to be prepared for mass immunization efforts.

Setting: private practice, technical training institutes, hospitals, public health centers

Population: medical assistants, registered nurses. LPNs, EMTs, ServePA volunteers

Project Description: Immunization skills training is offered statewide in Pennsylvania for two purposes:1) Strengthen the foundation of medical assistants and others who are routine immunization providers,  and; 2)  Augment training for nurses and others who have not been immunizers but who may be called upon to immunize either in influenza clinics or emergencies.  The two types of training share some common curricula but are adapted to meet specific needs for each group of participants. Medical assistant training uses a pre- and post-test to assess training effectiveness and improve slides and skills training, and is accredited by the American Association of Medical Assistants. Nurse training focuses more narrowly on mass immunization settings. All trainings involve collaboration with local public and private health care organizations for sites, participants, and workshop helpers who are trained as they assist.

Results/Lessons Learned: Continued trainings are offshoots in areas throughout PA. Ongoing pre/post testing is essential for gauging program effectiveness. Challenges include developing communication networks so that local efforts can share slides and program changes and maintain accreditation.