Job summary
The main components of the role of the Health Adviser are counselling, health education, partner notification, advocacy and safeguarding.The post involves working closely as part of the MDT to care for our cohort of people living with HIV. The work will cover both the out-patient based service, the in-patient ward, and other departments within the hospital. The post holder will need to have had at least 3 years experience working as a Health Adviser in either a HIV or sexual health setting.
Main duties of the job
Band 7 HIV Health Adviser - for one-year fixed term to cover maternity leave
Total Hours: 37.5 hours a week
We welcome applicants who wish to apply on a full-time, part-time or job share basis for this post
Location: HIV Outpatients Service, St Georges Hospital, London
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who has at least 3 years' experience working as a Health Adviser in a HIV/Sexual Health setting. We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate an enthusiasm for improving the lives of people living with HIV and who would enjoy working as part of a small, supportive, and effective team. The successful candidate will have a flexible approach to their work, excellent communication skills and a commitment to providing the best possible care. The Health Adviser role is a highly valued one within the service.
About us
Our missionis to provide excellent clinical care, education and research to improve the health of the populations we serve.
Our visionis to become an excellent integrated care provider and a comprehensive specialist centre for south west London, Surrey and beyond with thriving programmes of education and research.
We expect all our staff to share the values that are important to the Trust; being Excellent, Kind, Responsible & Respectful, and behave in a way that reflect these
Job description
Job responsibilities
Emotional Support
To provide counselling support and health education for those patients attending the HIV clinic or after admission to the ward in relation to any aspect of their HIV care.
- To provide crisis intervention and on-going support as appropriate.
- To identify patient risk and work with clients in promoting a healthier lifestyles approach, using evidence based motivational and risk reduction techniques.
- To work with local services to support patients facing challenges around their alcohol/drug use.
- To provide support, where appropriate, to partners, significant others and family members.
- To provide psychological support for patients under the Infection Care Group.
Patient Safeguarding
- To attend and take a key role in organising and managing a regular monthly HIV patient MDT meeting and other MDT meetings as needed in the service.
- To organise and attend relevant internal and external safeguarding meetings as required.
- To complete safeguarding referrals to social services and other organisations as necessary.
- To attend relevant safeguarding meetings.
- To ensure all potential vertical HIV transmission cases are handled according to national guidelines.
Partner Notification
- To identify sexual contacts of patients diagnosed with HIV or sexually transmitted infections and facilitate their attendance at a clinic for testing and treatment. To fully document partner notification outcomes.
- To audit PN outcomes on a regular basis.
- To liaise with other HIV and sexual health clinics nationally to facilitate partner notification.
Administration
- To action positive results received in the HIV clinic and review patients notes and make decisions about recall of patients to the service. To co-ordinate the follow up and recall of patients needing treatment, care or advice by letter, telephone or home visits as appropriate.
- To maintain accurate computerised and patient records on all patients with whom interventions take place including the management of the health adviser recall and partner notification systems.
- To undertake health adviser clinical audit and research in order to develop the health adviser role.
- To maintain an up to date information system on relevant statutory and voluntary sector services.
Health Education
- To co-ordinate enquiries from other health professionals and the general public about iissues related to HIV.
- To co-ordinate the production, supply and display of HIV and relevant health promotion materials.
- To undertake training of other health care professional and any new members of staff, for example doctors, medical students, care assistants.
Professional Responsibilities
- To attend regular managerial, supervision and appraisal meetings.
- To develop and maintain effective communication and liaison with the MDT, working in close co-operation for the benefit of patients in order to improve services at the clinic.
- To be fully conversant with related health, social, welfare, counselling and education services in the area and to liaise as necessary with statutory and voluntary agencies.
- To attend and contribute at the relevant HIV team meetings with other members of the multidisciplinary team.
Service Development
- To provide Health Adviser input into service developments as required.
- To initiate, develop and manage outreach services as appropriate.
- To provide and develop training with statutory, community and voluntary agencies promoting HIV testing and awareness.
- To ensure that pathways to signpost patients needing sexual health services to other local providers work efficiently and effectively.
Other Duties
- To take a lead within the clinic of managing challenging situations.
- To co-ordinate referrals from, and offer specialist advice regarding HIV antibody tests to other hospital departments and community agencies.
- To support the service offered by St Georges at HMP Wandsworth.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Emotional Support
To provide counselling support and health education for those patients attending the HIV clinic or after admission to the ward in relation to any aspect of their HIV care.
- To provide crisis intervention and on-going support as appropriate.
- To identify patient risk and work with clients in promoting a healthier lifestyles approach, using evidence based motivational and risk reduction techniques.
- To work with local services to support patients facing challenges around their alcohol/drug use.
- To provide support, where appropriate, to partners, significant others and family members.
- To provide psychological support for patients under the Infection Care Group.
Patient Safeguarding
- To attend and take a key role in organising and managing a regular monthly HIV patient MDT meeting and other MDT meetings as needed in the service.
- To organise and attend relevant internal and external safeguarding meetings as required.
- To complete safeguarding referrals to social services and other organisations as necessary.
- To attend relevant safeguarding meetings.
- To ensure all potential vertical HIV transmission cases are handled according to national guidelines.
Partner Notification
- To identify sexual contacts of patients diagnosed with HIV or sexually transmitted infections and facilitate their attendance at a clinic for testing and treatment. To fully document partner notification outcomes.
- To audit PN outcomes on a regular basis.
- To liaise with other HIV and sexual health clinics nationally to facilitate partner notification.
Administration
- To action positive results received in the HIV clinic and review patients notes and make decisions about recall of patients to the service. To co-ordinate the follow up and recall of patients needing treatment, care or advice by letter, telephone or home visits as appropriate.
- To maintain accurate computerised and patient records on all patients with whom interventions take place including the management of the health adviser recall and partner notification systems.
- To undertake health adviser clinical audit and research in order to develop the health adviser role.
- To maintain an up to date information system on relevant statutory and voluntary sector services.
Health Education
- To co-ordinate enquiries from other health professionals and the general public about iissues related to HIV.
- To co-ordinate the production, supply and display of HIV and relevant health promotion materials.
- To undertake training of other health care professional and any new members of staff, for example doctors, medical students, care assistants.
Professional Responsibilities
- To attend regular managerial, supervision and appraisal meetings.
- To develop and maintain effective communication and liaison with the MDT, working in close co-operation for the benefit of patients in order to improve services at the clinic.
- To be fully conversant with related health, social, welfare, counselling and education services in the area and to liaise as necessary with statutory and voluntary agencies.
- To attend and contribute at the relevant HIV team meetings with other members of the multidisciplinary team.
Service Development
- To provide Health Adviser input into service developments as required.
- To initiate, develop and manage outreach services as appropriate.
- To provide and develop training with statutory, community and voluntary agencies promoting HIV testing and awareness.
- To ensure that pathways to signpost patients needing sexual health services to other local providers work efficiently and effectively.
Other Duties
- To take a lead within the clinic of managing challenging situations.
- To co-ordinate referrals from, and offer specialist advice regarding HIV antibody tests to other hospital departments and community agencies.
- To support the service offered by St Georges at HMP Wandsworth.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- RGN/RMN/CQSW or relevant degree or extensive experience in HIV field
- Counselling training or supervised counselling experience
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 3 years experience working as a Sexual Health Adviser
- Experience of providing one to one counselling
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills
- Able to work within a team and on own initiative
Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of HIV
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- RGN/RMN/CQSW or relevant degree or extensive experience in HIV field
- Counselling training or supervised counselling experience
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 3 years experience working as a Sexual Health Adviser
- Experience of providing one to one counselling
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills
- Able to work within a team and on own initiative
Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of HIV
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
