Sexual Health Adviser

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Health Adviser team at Swindon Sexual Health have a range of professional backgrounds. Health Advisers are therefore required to work within their competency, training and guidance of their professionalregistration (if they have one). Key responsibilities include:

1. To be aware of the confidential nature of the clinic and work within the legal responsibilities as laid down in the Venereal Diseases Regulations (1916, 1974) and the NHS Trusts and Primary Care Trusts (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) Directions 2000

2. To work within frameworks of good practice according to national organisations (i.e. BASHH and SSHA)

3. To utilise opportunities to participate in formal and informal teaching

4. To work within and contribute to service operational procedures developed by SWISH

5. To work effectively within the multidisciplinary team to facilitate the best care for patients

6. To establish and maintain good working relationships with professionals from other departments to enable partner notification and effective referral pathways

7. To lead on the management of external referral of patients from other departments, organisations or testing platforms (i.e SARC, BPAS, online testing)

8. To continue professional development and training by attendance and contribution at relevant clinic/ Trust, regional/ national meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences

9. To participate in regular supervision

10. To provide one to one emotional support to patients during their visit to the sexual health department

11. To create a safe environment whereby patients can discuss their concerns and ask questions

12. To communicate effectively and empathically with patients to support good clinical outcomes

13. To assess patients psychosocial needs around complex issues associated with sexual health such as; safeguarding, sexual assault, termination of pregnancy, sexual identity and psychosexual concerns

14. To lead on the management of safeguarding assessments arising from online testing

15. To take a sexual history and assess risk for infection

16. To facilitate sexual health screening of patients without symptoms including venepuncture if appropriate

17. To deliver information to patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections and their partners in a way that supports their care

18. To provide effective partner notification to ensure contacts of infections attend and are treated

19. To provide education and support on safer sexual practices and risk reduction for patients to prevent or reduce their risk of sexual infection or harm

20. To discuss HIV and blood borne viruses with patients who may have been at risk or have concerns

21. To provide pre HIV test discussion and post HIV test discussion when appropriate

22. To provide initial HIV support for newly diagnosed patients, their partners or significant others

23. To complete appropriate referral to external agencies when indicated

24. To use professional judgment to interpret and action positive results within timeframes stipulated by the key performance indicators of the service

25. To liaise with patients by phone, email, text or letter to ensure adequate follow up of care

26. To recall patients requiring treatment, retesting or for sexual health promotion, within stipulated timeframes (relating to both clinic and online testing)

27. To facilitate access to treatment for patients and sexual contacts when required

28. To record interventions accurately and concisely in patient files

29. To ensure documentation and record keeping is comprehensively maintained in accordance with Trust and national standards and regulations

30. To administer or issue prescribed medication*

31. To prescribe treatment within a patient group directive (PGD) framework*

32. To administer vaccinations and intramuscular antibiotic injection* (*The above duties only relate to this post if you have appropriate registration. They will be delivered within NMC professional guidance and Trust policy,)*

33. According to service requirements, to provide short term psychosocial support / psychological interventions (i.e using behavioural change models to provide risk reduction support)

34. To participate in the training of other professionals around sexual health related issues

35. To contribute to teaching programs as required for medical staff, medical students and statutory or voluntary agencies

36. To train, supervise and guide band 3 and 4 staff on the Health Adviser / results management team with the interpretation and management of results

37. There is a requirement to travel to meet the needs of the service this will include attending clinics, meetings and other events as required

(*The above duties only relate to this post if you have appropriate registration. They will be delivered within NMC professional guidance and Trust policy,)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (1st level) or
• CQSW/ Diploma Social Work or
• A relevant degree: psychology, health, science, social sciences, health promotion, education.

Desirable

• A counselling qualification at certificate level
• A relevant higher qualification relevant to the role e.g. a MSc in counselling, health promotion / public health
• Sexual and reproductive health BASHH competencies

Experience

Essential

• Significant post qualifying experience
• Experience of working in a sexual health setting
• Counselling skills experience with patients either face to face or by telephone
• Experience of sexual health education / promotion with individuals and within a group setting
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
• Experience of managing safeguarding issues with young people and vulnerable adults
• Experience of delivering high standards of patient care
• Experience of working with diverse needs
• Experience of working in a complex healthcare environment

Desirable

• Experience as a Health Adviser
• Experience of teaching and lecturing
• Experience of working within patient group directions (PGD)
• Working knowledge of legal frameworks associated with confidentiality within sexual health

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Swindon Health Centre

1 Islington Street

Swindon

SN1 2DQ

Employer's website

https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)