Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist (progressive post)

To assist in the assessment of contraceptive/sexual health needs of patients attending Integrated Contraception & Sexual Health services (iCaSH), until deemed competent to carry out autonomous practice.

To work within the iCaSH clinic offering advice and treatments to patients who request contraception and sexual health matters.

To act in a responsible manner, being courteous at all times with sensitivity towards the needs of the individual patient, recognising their right to dignity and privacy.

To work as a member of a fully integrated contraception and sexual health service with a willingness to undertake further training in contraception and GUM to achieve this where identified.

Contribute to the development of action plans, protocols and pathways to ensure continuous quality improvement of the service

To work collaboratively as part of the iCaSH team to provide a comprehensive and confidential services for patients presenting with contraceptive or sexual health needs

In line with your scope of practice and knowledge undertake clinical assessment and physical examinations when required, initiating treatment within level of competence in accordance with agreed protocols, referring to senior staff where appropriate.

Perform contraceptive or sexual health procedures including but not exclusive of venepuncture. Interpret results and act accordingly, within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate

Plan and deliver evidence based care and treatment within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate

To provide a safe environment and non-judgemental approach to enable clients to ask questions and discuss concerns.

To provide a safe environment and non-judgemental approach to enable clients to ask questions and discuss concerns.

Provide appropriate contraceptive advice and methods to ensure an integrated approach.

Prescribing responsibilities

To work within existing PGDs for all methods of contraception and sexual health treatments.

To practice as a prescriber, if the post-holder has a non-medical prescribing qualification.

Provide advice, information, education and counselling to patients within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate

Ensure understanding of and stress the importance of any medical treatment indicated and to describe and explain testing and follow-up procedures.

To provide effective partner notification to ensure attendance and testing/treatment of partners at risk, adopting methods that are appropriate and in line with the Partner Notification Policy produced by the Society of Sexual Health Advisors in STDs (SSHA) (where integrated)

To work with clients to assess risk and to provide information about and discussion of risk taking behaviour and risk reduction.

To take telephone enquiries from the general public and health care professionals about sexually transmissible infections including HIV, Hepatitis B/C and all contraceptive queries. To discuss risk and respond appropriately to those who are anxious within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate

To record interventions accurately and concisely in client case notes and keep confidential records for the purposes of partner notification.

Adapt communication and language to suit patient group/audience and to establish good working relationships with key stakeholders.

To liaise with and exchange information with other Sexual Health Services as relevant for the management of patients/clients.

Work collaboratively with all East of England Community Health and Care iCaSH Services to ensure a corporate approach.

Maintain own professional development and take part in appraisal and KSF process

The post holder must carry out his/her duties with regard to East of England Health and Care NHS Trust Equal Opportunities Policy at all times.

All post holders must adhere to the code of conduct on confidentiality and be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust.

This role will be based within an identified locality, however the post holder must be flexible where the need is required to support service delivery within the iCaSH Service.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. East of England Community Health & Care NHS Trust is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users in line with its equal opportunities policy and policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.

Professional Development

Participate in a yearly appraisal and development review where relevant objectives are set.

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.

Please be aware that East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust will never ask applicants to pay fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including job applications, sponsorship arrangements, or employment offers. All recruitment communications and job applications should only be made through our official careers website and published contact details.

If you receive a suspicious job offer or recruitment-related communication, do not make any payments, share personal information, or provide identity documents. We encourage you to report the matter to your local police or relevant law enforcement agency. Any concerns relating to potential recruitment fraud should also be reported to our Local Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS) as soon as possible.

Qualifications

Desirable: - Recognised qualification in contraception and or sexual health (must be willing to work towards)

Experience

Essential: - Evidence of collaborative working; - Experience of working within a Clinical Governance framework

Desirable: - Post registration clinical experience

Skills

Desirable: - Working knowledge of Safeguarding Principles for children and adults

Safeguarding