Sexual Health Advisor / Associate Sexual Health Advisor

Job description

Job responsibilities

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust provides Integrated Contraception & Sexual Health (iCaSH) across Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Peterborough and Suffolk.

The service delivers care specifically to meet the needs of its diverse population. The Cambridgeshire service is community based with three main clinics in Cambridge, Huntingdon and Wisbech, providing contraception, sexual health and HIV care and treatment.

The applicant will work within the Sexual Health Advising team in Cambridgeshire delivering patient care in the Cambridge clinic, working closely with our clinics in Huntingdon and Wisbech.

To provide advice, information, education, treatment, and counselling to patients diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, HIV, syphilis and hepatitis.

To participate in the management of the results of tests undertaken within the service and carry out partner notification, ensuring the attendance and treatment of contacts, with support of the Sexual Health Advisor.

To participate in provision of a vaccination and recall programmes for all eligible patients in relation to Sexual Health (where appropriately trained).

To safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To participate in providing a safe environment whereby patients can discuss their concerns and ask questions.

Under supervision and with support from the Sexual Health Advisors, provide information and health education for patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, providing support and onward referral and/or signposting as required.

To participate in the process of partner notification/management for patients, in order to encourage with index case consent, the attendance of all potentially infected sexual contacts to a sexual health clinic.

Participate in the assessment of factors which might negatively affect a patients sexual health and refer and/or signpost to appropriate specialist services e.g., psychology/ psychiatry, alcohol and drug services.

Always ensure that the patients identity and the confidential nature of the information obtained is respected in accordance with the sexually transmitted disease regulations and NHS and Trust policy.

Participate in the recall of clients with untreated infections or those in need of follow-up and/or test of cure by letter, telephone, or text. To exchange relevant information about clients and contacts with other sexual health clinics as necessary.

To be competent in the management of under 18-year-olds and vulnerable adults working within Fraser Guidelines and liaising with and referring to the multi-disciplinary team & safeguarding services as appropriate

With support from the Sexual Health Advisors, take sexual histories from patients as appropriate and refer on to relevant individuals in the multi-disciplinary team.

With support from the Sexual Health Advisors, provide pre-HIV test discussion for high-risk patients as appropriate.

To supply treatments and/or vaccinations to patients as prescribed after appropriate training and competency sign off.

To perform phlebotomy as required in accordance with Trust and Departmental guidelines or undertake phlebotomy training.

Maintain accurate patient records, ensuring all entries are dated, signed and designation recorded as in accordance with the Trusts policies and procedures. Participate in submission of clinical data as required, to enable accurate reporting to meet internal local, national, and commissioned requirements.

To work alongside the HIV specialist team, providing clinician and patient support (where commissioned).

To work within SSHA guidance e.g., Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, Guidelines for Good Practice, PN Policy.

Support the management of patient complaints, concerns, and incidents as necessary and ensure the correct procedures are followed under guidance from the Clinic Manager and Sexual Health Advisors.

Ensure any risks or incidents are reported promptly, accurately and via the Trust electronic incident reporting system.

Be involved in any quality assurance initiatives within the clinic and ensure that all actions are carried out within the Trusts policies and procedures.

To continue professional development and training by attendance and contribution at relevant clinic/ Trust/ regional/ national meetings, seminars, workshops and conference, sharing knowledge gained, at clinic level.

To be aware of the ethical, professional and legal frameworks that underpins practice.

To attend departmental and Sexual Health Advisor team meetings.

To work within the competency framework and agreed timescales for the progressive training post of Associate Sexual Health Advisor.

To work within the Society of Sexual Health Advisors (SSHA) guidance.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Registered Nurse or Midwife (NMC) or Equivalent level of degree eg: Social Work Public Health Psychology
• Post registration mentorship course or willingness to undertake

Desirable

• Independent Prescribing Qualification
• Post registration specialist course in sexual health or sexual health advising

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in sexual health (Contraception, GUM, HIV or equivalent)
• Able to demonstrate competency in supply of treatments by Patient Group Directions (PGDs) or willingness to undertake
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team
• Ability to educate users/patients, staff, other professionals, statutory & voluntary agencies
• Evidence of continuous professional development & clinical competence
• Experience of working within a Clinical Governance framework.
• Evidence of collaborative working
• Ability to meet deadlines

Desirable

• Experienced in caring for people living in difficult and chaotic social situations
• Experienced in working effectively with allied health services and third sector organistaions
• Experience of research and audit
• Counselling experience
• Experience of performing presentations to internal and external audiences
• Experience of leading a team and managing their day to day activities to ensure smooth running of a service
• Proven experience of innovative practice

Skills

Essential

• Specialist clinical knowledge in sexual health and/or related specialties.
• Able to work autonomously, under stress, prioritise & manage workload
• Computer / IT Literate
• Sensitivity and confidence when handing sensitive and complicated diagnosis, social and care issues.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work autonomously and also able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Able to work without constant supervision
• Competent in phlebotomy (or a willingness to undertake training)
• Good communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Open non-judgemental attitude

Desirable

• Has a proven ability to work in a sexual health contexts with adults and young people
• Demonstrates skill in teaching and supervision of students and carers
• Leadership skills and the ability to motivate others and demonstrate honesty and integrity
• Motivational skills

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

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

Lime Tree Clinic, Brookfield's Hospital

351 Mill Road

Cambridge

CB1 3DF

Employer's website

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