Senior Health Advisor

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

Offer a high standard of confidential, sensitive and non-judgemental sexual health support/care within the clinical setting, while respecting the cultural beliefs and practices of the local population

Be aware of the confidential nature of the clinic and the work undertaken, ensuring adherence to trust policy and all related legislation

Interpret and discuss STI results with patients and participate in the results management process

Provide information to patients diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection delivering specific information related to how they are acquired, transmitted and treated

Provide patients with counselling and support related to STI risk reduction strategies

Impart distressing and difficult news to patients and their partners in a sensitive and professional manner

Be able to deliver HIV positive and/or equivocal results, providing initial counselling for those diagnosed with HIV, in both outpatients and inpatients settings. Where appropriate provide counselling and support to partners, significant others, and family members.

Promote good sexual health and wellbeing with HIV positive patients and encourage engagement with the ISRH Service

Promote, support and offer advice on the use of PEP/PrEP to patients and partners as appropriate

Promote health education within the clinical area and be able to advise patients, family members and others in health promotion issues.

Lead on health promotion events e.g. World Aids Day

Instigate and co-ordinate outreach work as appropriate

Act as an advocate for the patient through effective communication and support enabling them to make choices and decisions concerning treatment and care

Co-ordinate and provide effective partner notification

Liaise with health advisers within LNWHT ISRH Service to facilitate partner notification across the service.

Co-ordinate enquiries and referral from the wider LNWHT organisation and other organisations across the health and social care network.

Provide comprehensive assessment of patients social, emotional and sexual health needs and to initiate follow up and/or referral as appropriate.

Provide an empathetic and supportive service for young people and be aware of issues in relation to child sexual exploitation and childrens safeguarding.

Be competent in discussing/recording/cascading issues related to FGM, including childrens and adults safeguarding. Referring appropriately where applicable.

Work within their boundaries of practice at all times.

Take the lead in the clinic of managing difficult and aggressive clients

Continually monitor standards of care, audit and challenge poor practice.

Undertake clinical skills including; venepuncture, sexual history taking, and male and female STI screening

Work with the multidisciplinary team to develop and implement change within the ISRH service.

Be punctual and contribute to the smooth running of the clinic.

Be able to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings, covering clinics across LNWHT Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Service when and where required.

Supervisory / Managerial Responsibilities

Will be responsible for managing Band 5/6 staff within the LNWH integrated health advising team and will support them through the appraisal and personal professional development processes.

Be clinically visible in department demonstrating clinical credibility

Have a progressive attitude and work with the senior leadership team towards the improvement and development of the service

Set and maintain standards of practice, conduct and decision making, and challenge those who do not follow or meet the standards, ensuring action is taken and clearly explains reporting mechanisms.

Work collaboratively with the senior Health Advising team across Harrow, Brent, Ealing and Hillingdon

Contribute to the business objectives and promote cost improvement programmes.

Identify potential service improvements and innovations, and contribute to the business planning process

To monitor and identify new services pressures, and assist in devising, developing new ways of working and services within the department enabling to meet such challenges.

Identify areas of service development and act as a lead change agent in implementing change at a departmental level

Attend local management meetings.

Professional Responsibilities

Work at all times within the framework of the NMC Code for Nurses and to participate in the process of NMC revalidation and registration.

Manage individual case load and prioritise workload to ensure effectiveness and streamlined service delivery.

Update personal knowledge in relation to health advising and sexual and reproductive healthcare to ensure evidence based practice.

Recognises legal implications of Health Adviser interventions, and seek advice appropriately.

Work within national and local guidelines when providing patient care, including but are not exclusive too, SHAA, BASHH and BHIVA.

Participate in all aspects of clinical governance, quality assurance, standard setting, audit and appraisal.

Maintain and develop good working relationships with members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Attend departmental meetings.

Adhere to LNWHT and relevant national policies and guidelines at all times.

Demonstrate professionalism and act as a role model within the service, supporting and junior members of the team

Demonstrate appropriate behaviour in stressful and difficult situations, recognising and manage areas of conflict to promote a healthy working environment.

Administrative Responsibilities

Maintain detailed and accurate documentation, in line with trust policy.

Have an awareness of objectives and strategies at local and national level, monitoring and completing statistical returns and/or written reports when required.

Participate in research and audit as required.

Have an understanding of and monitor all IT and communication systems within the ISRH service.

Teaching/ Audit Responsibilities

Establish an active learning environment for all grades of staff within the department, allowing staff to develop to their full potential

Act as an effective assessor / mentor and support other staff in performing this role

To lead on and offer teaching and training to nursing, medical and allied professionals within LNWHT; this may include partners in local universities and non-government organisation.

To lead on and provide training on sexual health and HIV to members of the multidisciplinary team and community groups.

To embrace new ideas and facilitate change for the benefit of patient care.

Encourage innovation from within the team and lead on the areas of development within the service.

Be willing to undertake any other training and duties as the post develops and to initiate and participate in the change management process.

Critically appraise and evaluate practice through audit and continually strive to improve patient experiences.

Professional Development

To participate in the process of appraisal and personal professional development.

To participate in internal and external training specific to health advising and sexual and reproductive healthcare

Participate in self-appraisal and reflection, identifying self -development needs

To ensure compliance with regards to LNWHT mandatory training and professional development requirements.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• NMC Registered nurse
• Educated to degree level or working towards achieving a degree relevant post graduate qualification
• Qualification/ training in contraception and sexual health

Desirable

• Counselling qualification/ Motivational interviewing
• oExperience delivering teaching specific to the practice area of sexual health

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• 5 years post registration experience with a minimum of 2 years working within Integrated Sexual Health Services
• Knowledge of sexual health education and promotion.
• Evidence and experience of discussing complex and challenging information to patients, health care professionals and voluntary organisations
• Experience in leading on and managing complex safeguarding issues
• Experience of collaborative working and the ability to work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• oExperience delivering teaching specific to the practice area of sexual health
• oExperience of multiagency working
• oExperience of managing and supporting junior staff with Appraisals, professional development etc.

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).

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

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Wakley Centre

Grange road

Hayes

UB3 2RR

Employer's website

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