56 Dean Street is an award-winning HIV and Sexual Health service based in Soho in the heart of London's West End. We are looking for a skilled and dynamic Health Adviser to join our team. You must be able to offer skilled compassionate advice and care to our service users and be able to work in a busy environment.
Main duties of the job
* To see clients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections including HIV, for information, health education, partner notification, health promotion and risk reduction.
* To undertake PEP assessments, offer sexual health screening (including venepuncture) and issue PEP and PrEP under a PSD.
* To see clients in a Sexual Health setting for time-limited 1:1 work specifically around risk reduction and behaviour change.
* To provide time-limited support for clients newly diagnosed with HIV.
* To take on specific project work as negotiated with the senior sexual health adviser.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
* Provide information and health education for clients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, providing support and onward referral as required.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* Provide initial crisis intervention, assessment and appropriate referral for those clients attending the clinic with associated problems.
* Offer information and support to deal with enquiries from both the general public and health professionals about Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV.
* Be competent in the management of under 16 year olds and vulnerable adults working within Fraser Guidelines.
* Take sexual histories from clients as appropriate and refer to relevant individuals in the multi-professional team as part of the care pathway.
* Undertake training as per Trust guidelines on dispensing Azithromycin for those patients with Chlamydia.
* Provide HIV pre-test discussion for clients requesting an HIV test.
* 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.
* Support partners, significant others, and immediate family of those newly diagnosed with HIV.
* Be able to perform Point of Care HIV testing in accordance with Directorate guidelines.
* Perform phlebotomy as required in accordance with Trust and Departmental guidelines.
* Maintain accurate client records, ensuring all entries are dated, signed and designation recorded.
* Attend multi-professional ward rounds as necessary.
Management
* Induct and supervise new Sexual Health Advisers under the direction of the Senior Health Adviser.
* 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.
* Be involved in any quality assurance initiatives within the clinic.
* Work independently in outreach settings.
* Deputise for the Senior Health Adviser in their absence.
* Participate in creating, writing and managing the rota.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* 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
* Accredited Counselling Qualification
* STIF Course
* Evidence of further study in the field of risk reduction
Experience
Essential
* Experience of working as a Health Adviser.
* Previous experience of 1:1 work with clients in sexual health.
Desirable
* Experience of working in a reproductive setting.
* Experience of working in a Public Health context.
* Experience of working in Health Promotion.
* Experience of using behaviour change models.
* Audit and research experience.
* Experience in teaching and or outreach.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
* Verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to communicate with people on sensitive subjects.
* Good clinical knowledge of STIs.
* Knowledge and experience of risk reduction models.
Employer details
Employer name
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
56 Dean Street, London, W1D 6AQ
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