Sexual Health Adviser

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Provide information and health education for clients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, providing support and onward referral as required.
• To manage the process of partner notification/management for these clients in order to encourage, with the client's consent, the attendance of all potentially infected sexual contacts to a Sexual Health clinic.
• To provide time limited work for clients specifically around risk reduction and behavior change, using evidenced based tools such as Motivational Interviewing and Behavioral Change models. Assessing all factors which might negatively affect a client's sexual health and referring to appropriate specialist services e.g. Psychology/Psychiatry & Alcohol & Drug services.
• Ensure at all times that the client's identity and the confidential nature of the information obtained is respected in accordance with the Sexually Transmitted Disease Regulations of 1974 and the NHS VD directive of 1991, within clinic, outreach and off site services.
• Facilitate the recall of clients with untreated infections or those in need of follow-up and/or test of cure by letter, telephone or visit. To exchange relevant information about clients and contacts with other Sexual Health clinics as necessary.
• Provide initial crisis intervention, assessment and appropriate referral for those clients attending the clinic with associated problems, e.g. termination of pregnancy, sexual identity, sexual assault, substance misuse and sexual dysfunction.
• Offer information and support, to deal with enquiries from, both the general public and health professionals about Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV and managing clients who present with health anxiety; assessing and referring as appropriate.
• To be competent in the management of under 16 year olds and vulnerable adults working within Fraser Guidelines and liaising with the multi-disciplinary team & Child Protection Services as appropriate.
• To take sexual histories from clients as appropriate and refer on to relevant individuals in the multi professional team as part of the care pathway.
• To undertake training as per Trust guidelines on dispensing Azithromycin for those patients with Chlamydia as part of the care pathway where appropriate and participate with Pharmacy in regularly auditing this.
• Provide HIV pre-test discussion for clients requesting an HIV test attending the department and where necessary for inpatients requesting the test in either the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital or Charing Cross Hospital.
• To act as a point of referral and offer advice regarding HIV antibody testing to other hospital departments and community agencies.
• Provide HIV post-test discussion/support for those clients who have a reactive or positive HIV test result, ensuring they are linked in to HIV outpatient services and facilitating onward referral where necessary to other appropriate services.
• Where appropriate, supporting partners, significant others, and immediate family of those newly diagnosed with HIV, including facilitating partner notification, testing and disclosure.
• To be able to perform Point of Care HIV testing in accordance with Directorate guidelines.
• To perform phlebotomy as required in accordance with Trust and Departmental guidelines.
• Maintain accurate client records, ensuring all entries are dated, signed and designation recorded as in accordance with the Trusts policies and procedures.
• Attend multi-professional ward rounds as necessary.

Management

• Induct and supervise new Sexual Health Advisers under the direction of the Senior Health Adviser.
• To be able to demonstrate effective leadership and management skills in the supervision and development of junior staff.
• Assist in maintaining high standards of care through creating a caring and therapeutic Environment.
• Manage patient complaints, accidents, incidents and losses as necessary and ensure the correct procedures are followed.
• Be involved in any quality assurance initiatives within the clinic and ensure that all actions are carried out within the Trusts policies and procedures.
• Be able to work independently in outreach settings.
• Deputise for the Senior Health Adviser in their absence.
• Participate in creating, writing and managing the rota.

Please see attached job description and person specification to this advert for further details.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• RGN (1st level) or Degree in Health Promotion, Sociology, Psychology, RMN or have a CQSW qualification, relevant Public Health qualification to degree level or beyond or another relevant related degree or equivalent experience

Desirable criteria

• Accredited Counselling Qualification
• STIF Course
• Evidence of further study in the field of risk reduction

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working as a Health Adviser
• Previous experience of 1:1 work with clients in sexual health

Desirable criteria

• Experienc of working in a reproductive setting
• Expereince of working ina Public Health context
• Expereince of working in Heath Promotion
• Experience of using behaviour change models
• Audit and research experience
• Experience in teaching and or outreach

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Verbal and written
• Communicate with People on a a sensitive subject
• Good clinical knowledge of STI's
• Knowledge and experience of risk reduction models

Important

• There may be some occasions when we have to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date, this will be due to a high volume of applications. You are therefore advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please check your emails regularly (and your junk folder) as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
• In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
• During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
• Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.
• Some roles may require weekend shift working across multiple sites
• We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on