Associate Sexual Health Advisor (progressive post)

Support and training will be provided to assist you to achieve a Band 6 Health Advisor role. The Band 6 Health Advisor Job Description is attached to the vacancy along with the Band 5 Associate Health Advisor Job description.

Job Purpose

To work with the support of the Sexual Health Advisors to manage a case load of patients within the service which will include consultations both face to face and over the telephone.

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 programme 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.

Ensure at all times that the patients identify 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 Clinical Nurse 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.

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 and Training

Essential: - Registered Nurse or Midwife (NMC); - Degree level education, ideally within health or equivalent experience; - Evidence of professional development

Experience

Essential: - Experience in health care, ideally sexual health or health coaching.

Desirable: - Clinical experience

Skills

Desirable: - Has a proven ability to work in a sexual health context with adults and young people; - Demonstrates skill in teaching and supervision of students and carers

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults:

Essential: - Ability to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults; - Demonstrates understanding of safeguarding issues

Personal and People Development

Essential: - Has a range of mechanisms for dealing with stress, can recognise when to use them and does so