We are an award winning organisation providing care at two main hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—and a number of community-based services across London, such as sexual health and HIV clinics.
With 6,700 members of staff, we are proud to care for a diverse population of one million people. We are committed to ensuring that our workforce is just as diverse with a strong mix of skills and abilities.
Our staff are at the very heart of our organisation and we recognise the valuable contribution that each and every person working at the Trust makes. One of our Trust priorities is to be an employer of choice—a place where people want to start their career and to grow with us through continued education, professional development and support.
Site: 56 Dean Street Town: London Salary: £44,806 - £53,134 pro rata per annum incl. HCAS Salary period: Yearly Closing: 01/01/2025 23:59
Job overview
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.
Working for our organisation
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven’t heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
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.
Person specification
Qualifications
* 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
* Accredited Counselling Qualification
* STIF Course
* Evidence of further study in the field of risk reduction
Experience
* Experience of working as a Health Adviser
* Previous experience of 1:1 work with clients in sexual health
* 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
* 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
Important
* The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions when we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. You are therefore advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
* Please check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
* If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date, we regret that this usually means your application was not successful.
* 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.
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