Level 5 Practitioner – Vaccination Services
Role Overview
Practitioners at Level 5 in Vaccination Services within NHS Scotland demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and skills in immunisation practice, underpinned by both theoretical understanding and practical experience. They apply this knowledge to lead and deliver safe, effective, and person-centred vaccination programmes across diverse settings, including clinics, mobile units, schools, care homes, and community venues.
Key responsibilities include (but not limited to):
- Trusted to make informed clinical judgements, assess individual needs (including more complex cases), and interpret guidance to tailor care.
- Contribute to clinical decision-making and problem-solving, particularly in situations that require a higher level of autonomy and critical thinking—for example, managing complex vaccination schedules or advising on contraindications and risk factors.
- Support coordination of vaccination clinics or specific aspects of service delivery, including ensuring compliance with national guidance, maintaining high standards of cold chain and infection prevention, and supporting data quality in vaccination records.
- Actively support the supervision, education, and development of other staff—including new starts, Assistant Practitioners, Senior HCSWs, and students.
- Play a key role in service development and quality improvement, contributing to audits, training programmes, public health campaigns, and interdepartmental coordination.
- Practice which is grounded in compassion, civility, and kindness, while also demonstrating leadership and initiative within the multidisciplinary vaccination team.
Qualifications and experience expected at level 5:
Registered as a Nurse or Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or registered with an appropriate regulatory body such as the Health and Care Professions Council such as allied health professionals.
Successfully completed degree level pre-registration programme as a minimum.
Working at SCQF Degree level.
Vaccination specific qualifications, experience and training:
- Completion of training in basic life support and anaphylaxis management, statutory and mandatory topics (e.g., infection control, public protection), safe sharps and waste handling, vaccine preparation and administration, and demonstrate understanding of legal frameworks.
- Completion of the Promoting Effective Immunisation Programme (PEIP) for registered healthcare practitioners.
- Completion of role-specific immunisation training aligned with service needs (e.g., pregnancy and neonatal vaccination, immunosuppression, adolescent schedule).
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of vaccine-specific guidance through regular engagement with national learning platforms and programme-specific updates.
- Keep up to date with immunisation knowledge through guidance like the Green Book and CMO letters and regularly engage in reflective practice and CPD to maintain competence and confidence.
- Understand how consent is obtained in line with legal and ethical principles, considering competence, parental responsibility, and appropriate decision-makers for children and adults in varied care arrangements.
Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
Detailed here are the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) required for Level 5 practitioners, aligned to the four pillars of practice. This includes core KSBs from the NMAHP Development Framework, followed by vaccination-specific KSBs reflecting the unique needs of the vaccination workforce.