Sexual Health Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

As a Sexual Health Practitioner, your main duties will include:

• Genital examination of female patients.  Carry out initial assessment and review patients when treatments are being carried out. Provision of a variety of contraception methods, vaccinations and treatments. To provide the opportunity for specialist discussion, advice and appropriate signposting on all aspects of contraception and sexual health, including STIs and HIV.

• To provide LARC options for service users by the fitting and removal of LARC devices

• To provide level 1 sexual health services as a core requirement, as recommended by the Department of Health in the National Strategy for Sexual Health.

• In addition, as a specialist aspect of the role, dependent upon expertise, provide level 2/3 services in screening those with sexually transmitted infections. Initiating / changing / repeating methods of contraceptive, as recommended by the Department of Health in the National Strategy for Sexual Health.

• At all times to work in an autonomous capacity and as part of the MDT.

• To act as a source of expertise, advice and knowledge for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

• To undertake an identified additional responsibility for the benefit/development of the service.

• Participate in and run nurse-led clinics (to include assessment and diagnosis). Use professional judgment to seek advice or refer to medical colleagues as clinically indicated.

• Provide education and counselling on preventing and minimising the risk of unplanned pregnancy and the variety of contraceptive methods available through telephone triage sessions , Provide advice and support to those with unplanned pregnancies, referring as appropriate.

• Initiate, dispense and teach how to use a full range of contraception.

• Check and remove IUDs/IUSs as appropriate.

• Keeping complete records of patient consultations and results/decisions.

• Follow Fraser guidelines when seeing/treating under 16 years signpost to other service where appropriate

• Urine testing for infection, pregnancy, glucose, perform additional tests/examinations according to patient need within professional competence.

• Maintain computer literacy (to make or search for patient appointments).

• Prescribe and or administer medication/contraception following PGDs/departmental guidelines.

• Practice as a fully registered non-medical prescriber if trained to do so.
• Work as a telephone triage practitioner following departmental triage procedures and guidelines, To manage face to face, telephone and web based queries from the public and other health care professionals. Manage and communicate complex sensitive information to patients and other agencies. Demonstrate expert practice in communicating with patients in ways that empower them to make informed choices about their sexual health, being sensitive to issues of age, sexuality, ethnicity, spirituality, cultural needs and socio-economic status, with the aim of minimising their risk of acquiring STI’s & Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

• To ensure that all treatments prescribed are administered correctly, to record them accurately and explain them to patients.

• Report any concerns, adverse incidents, potential breaches of Trust / Departmental policies or guidelines to the clinical lead.

• At all times abide by PCS policies and procedures (including mandatory and statutory training).

• Remain updated with developments in practice and research; facilitate others in applying relevant findings to practice.

• Provide comprehensive assessment of patients’ social, emotional or sexual difficulties and follow or refer as appropriate to other healthcare professional/other agencies.

• To have relevant expertise and knowledge related to investigations and treatment options in order to provide patients with necessary information to ensure informed consent.
• To maintain effective communication with all patients, carers and members of the healthcare team.
• To act sensitively, confidentially and with empathy in demonstrating understanding of wide ranging physical and emotional needs. Take the lead in managing contentious, sensitive and delicate issues with patients, their relatives and staff.
• Act within pcs guidelines, policies and procedures and the NMC codes of conduct, seeking advice on non-routine matters from line manager or clinical lead.
• To ensure accurate, contemporaneous and timely care records are kept of all patient interactions
• To act within an effective monitoring system of Healthcare Governance. Comply with risk assessments, health and safety legislation including the use of decontamination of clinical equipment, information governance, and quality assurance measures.
• As part of MDT, implement local and national policies, eg NSF, NICE guidance, development protocols / pathways and monitor their effectiveness.
• Protect, improve and preserve patients’ health by adherence to infection control policies and best practice at all times and monitoring of compliance.
• Exercise professional judgement by applying skills and knowledge to the safe custody and administration of medications
• To act as a role model and teacher, providing mentorship and support and demonstrate exemplary practice to all members of the healthcare team.
• Support Clinical Lead in his/her role to ensure the smooth running of the service.
• This job description should not be regarded as definitive. It is intended to provide the post-holder with a broad outline of their function. The post-holder may be required to undertake any other duties reasonably falling within the grade of this post.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Significant and recent relevant sexual health experience
• Able to demonstrate competency in use of Patient Group Directions and their use within Sexual Health Services

Desirable

• Previous experience in working in abortion services
• Experience of working in Sexual Health services and or clinics for a minimum of 12 months

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC Registered Practitioner
• FRSH or equivalent Nationally recognised qualification in Contraception / Sexual Health

Desirable

• Post registration degree/masters in nursing/health care.
• Non-Medical Prescriber
• Letters of competence in Subdermal contraceptive insertion and removal, Letters of competence intrauterine technique

Personal Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Self-awareness
• A team player
• An open minded non-judgemental attitude
• Shows respect for others feelings, views and circumstances.
• Can demonstrate flexibility of approach and openness to innovative practices
• Ability to recognise stress and has effective strategies in place to manage
• A positive can do attitude
• Has a range of mechanisms for dealing with stress, can recognise when to use them and does so
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Commitment to the responsibilities of the post and the Speciality
• Ability to work flexibly according to the needs of the service.
• Able to travel independently across sheffield and surrounding areas
• Competent IT/Keyboard skills

Desirable

• Experience of working with all age groups

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Primary Care Sheffield

Address

722 Prince of Wales Road

Sheffield

South Yorkshire

S9 4EU

Employer's website

http://www.primarycaresheffield.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)