Sexual Health Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To undertake sexual health histories, including the assessment of asymptomatic patients, offering appropriate tests as per clinic guidelines.

To perform venepuncture, in line with Trust Policy.

To issue prescribed medication as requested by medical staff and non-medical prescribers and offer relevant/necessary advice to patients.

To provide sexual health advice to patients following a positive STI diagnosis, initiate treatments as per Patient Group Directions and implement partner notification measures as per local guidelines.

To administer vaccinations and immunisations (e.g. Hepatitis A/B and HPV vaccines) in conjunction with clinical protocol and Patient Group Directions

To provide sexual health information, advice, teaching and support to patients enabling them to select and use a method of contraception suited to their needs.

To follow agreed clinic protocols and patient group directions, to supply emergency contraception, and re-issue combined oral and progesterone only contraceptive methods and Depo-Provera injections, checking the relevant histories in relation to these methods previously undertaken by senior staff in the service.

Support the Senior Sexual Health Nurses to maintain a high level of service to patients in the absence of a Doctor and referral to alternative clinics/agencies as appropriate.

To ensure excellent documentation of patient care in the electronic patient records.

Act as the patients advocate at all times and promote their privacy, dignity and modesty during the clinic visit.

Assess patients under the age of 16 using Fraser Guidelines; adhering to local Safeguarding Policies with referral to appropriate agencies as needed (i.e. Safeguarding team, Social services, Family protection unit, Police).

Be responsible for the continuity of patient care during their clinic visit.

Participating and Co-operating with the multi- disciplinary team in all aspects of patient care, arranging any necessary after care/referrals that may be required e.g. Termination Services, Counselling and the SAFE Centre.

Provide health education and promotion of health and prevention of illness with regards to all areas of sexual health including condom demonstrations and condom usage advice.

Maintaining stock levels within the clinical area (which include medications/vaccines) and prepare clinical rooms ensuring equipment and supplies necessary to offer optimum treatments are available and set-up correctly.

Maintain the safe custody of drugs in accordance with the Trust and NMC policies/guidelines.

Monitoring the standard of cleanliness and adhere to infection control policies at all times.

Reporting of untoward incidents, accidents and complaints to the Team Leader/Senior Sexual Health Nurse and complete necessary paperwork relating to these.

Participation in audit/clinical governance issues such as record keeping, patient satisfaction. Maintaining and monitoring any requested details. Implementation of any actions required following audit with the aim of improving quality of services.

Participating in the teaching of other health professionals (to include junior staff and pre and post registration students) and other agencies as required.

Formally assess educational programmes of pre and post registration students.

Undertake Performance Development Reviews (PDRs) with staff up to and including Band 4

Work closely with the Team Leader and Specialist Nurses in assisting in Nurse Led Clinics in a variety of settings following agreed protocols and PGDs

Establishing good communication with colleagues and clients, their partners and relatives mindful of confidentiality ensuring complaints procedure is available and followed.

Ensuring that accurate and contemporaneous records relating to the patient care are in line with the Trust record keeping policy and the Data Protection Act 1984 using either paper based or electronic patient records.

To code all clinical care provided (e.g. SHRAD, GUMCAD) and assist with local and national data collection of clinical information reports.

To be aware of the confidential nature of the service and work within the legal responsibilities as laid down in the Venereal Diseases Regulations 1974 and the NHS Trust Act 1991.

To maintain professional relationships with all medical, nursing and clerical staff.

Participation in relevant service meetings and training. Raising of relevant issues and cascading information to colleagues.

Participation in induction/study days, seminars, courses etc. for individual development and the benefit of the service in line with Personal Development Programme.

Maintain your own professional and personal development, attending mandatory training as required.

To participate in regular clinical supervision and the PDR process.

Observe and adhere to all Trust Policies and Procedures.

Adhere to the NMC Code: Standards of Conduct, Performance and ethics for nurses and midwives at all times.

Please ensure you have read the attached job description and person specification before submitting your application.

Person Specification

Experience and knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Multi-disciplinary working
• Knowledge of data protection acts

Desirable

• Experience of working in nurse led clinics and working to PGDs
• Evidence of working with young people and under 16's
• Experience of clinical audit

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• First level Registered Nurse

Desirable

• ENB R71 or equivalent contraceptive course
• Specialist course or in-house training in STI screening.
• Mentorship / assessment module / training

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to work on own initiatives within professional limitations and as part of a team
• Self-Motivated
• Evidence of good communication abilities
• Non-judgemental
• Open and honest
• Flexible
• Car owner/driver and possess full UK drivers license and able to visit various clinical locations as and when required

Skills and ability

Essential

• Able to perform venepuncture
• Computer Literate
• Ability to respond to pressure and to prioritise workload
• Good working knowledge of Clinical Governance agenda
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Desirable

• Ability to independently undertake genital examination and screening tests in both male and female patients including cervical cytology
• Basic microscopy skills
• Basic knowledge of sexual health
• Knowledge of National and local sexual health strategies
• Ability to Mentor Students

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

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Peters Health Centre

Church Street

Burnley

BB11 2DL

Employer's website

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