Watch this five-minute video to learn more about working your first flu shot event.

Flu season is most definitely our busiest time of year. That means it’s probably your busiest time of year when it comes to working TotalWellness events.

Because flu season can get crazy, you might feel overwhelmed. If you’re a new independent contractor or if you haven’t worked an event in a while, we just want to ease your mind about working flu shot events.

On Staffing

For flu shot events, you might be the only nurse working an event. It might seem scary, but we know you’ll do just fine! If you’re the only person working an event remember:

1. You’re the primary contractor so be sure to review all of those duties in the manual.
2. Odds are it’s a pretty small event so be sure to double check your order numbers so you know what to expect.

That being said, you might also be one of many nurses working an event. It all depends on how many shots the client ordered at each site. Be sure to read your event worksheet so you know which situation you’ll be in.

On Planning

Getting prepared is the easiest way to ease uncertainty. Remember to follow the TotalWellness dress code, review the flu shot procedures (specifically the VanishPoint Syringes), and plan enough travel time to arrive at the event arrival time, which is 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to the event start time (check event worksheet). Any available driving directions, parking directions or security information from client are also on your event worksheet. 

On Your Event

Here’s the scariest part, right? Well don’t worry. You’ve got this! Review the manual and your event worksheet, but keep these few things in mind as well:

• Keep your event moving. You might have walk-ins mixed in with your scheduled appointments, and that’s just fine. Do what you can to keep the line flowing to avoid a bottleneck. Don't be afraid to politely ask those that have arrived before their scheduled time or those that have arrived without an appointment to come back later before the event ends.
• Remember all of the paperwork. Your event worksheet should indicate who is bringing what, and what paperwork is required. Make sure you have that paperwork, and you’ve looked it over so you know what it means. Most clients will have the paperwork onsite but we provide you with a copy in your paperwork packet just in case copies need to be made.
• Remember to complete the Nurse's Box on Flu Shot Consent Forms
• Please do not pre-fill syringes. We've recently changed our procedures to have nurses walk through each step of the flu shot preparation process, so check out those procedures in the Training and Paperwork section of the scheduling system.
• You should stay and administer shots until the scheduled end of the event. 
• Have fun! You’ll get to meet a variety of people at your flu shot event. Don’t forget to be friendly and provide participants with a nice break in their workday.

On Shipping

If you’re the primary contractor (or if you’re working alone) shipping is your responsibility. Remember to check the shipment as soon as you get it so you can be sure all the supplies are present. Next be sure to store the vaccine properly. It can’t be frozen, and it can’t be at room temperature.

It’s also important to know our return shipment procedures. Try to get your shipment back to us as soon as possible. If the shipment contains vaccine, only send it on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

The last thing we want you to do is stress out about working a flu shot event. These pointers will help you get an idea of what’s in store. Remember to take a look at the manual and paperwork in the TotalWellness Scheduling System or check out our flu shot event video at the top of this article for more information as well. If any of what you’ve read confuses you, don’t hesitate to ask questions!