South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

HIV BBV Opt-Out Testing Lead

The closing date is 21 October 2025

Job summary

We are looking for a B7 nurse (RGN, RMN or CNS) with an interest in HIV to set up and lead on BBV HIV opt out testing in Early Intervention in Psychosis Services across SLaM services in SE London (Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Croydon)

You will be working with closely clinical teams to incorporate HIV testing into initial physical health screening for all patients in Early Intervention Services, and making sure all reactive results are followed up appropriately and sensitively. You will also be responsible for data management and collection required for project reporting and audit in this one year pilot study. We are looking for someone, who is well- organised, proactive and self-motivated.

We have advertised this position at 30 hours per week, but we would also be willing to negotiate hours from 22.5 to 30 hours per week.

This post can also be considered as secondment for SlaM employees.

Main duties of the job

To set up BBV HIV opt out testing, working with clinical teams to incorporate HIV testing into initial physical health screening for all patients referred to and accepted by Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) Services across SLaM (Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Croydon)

About us

We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits packageand understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It's important to us that you feel valued and appreciated and that is why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer.

Some of our benefits arehighlighted here:

  • Generous pay, pensions and leave,we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
  • Work life balance,flexible working and supporting a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.
  • Career development,There are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes
  • Car lease,our staff benefit from competitive deals to lease cars
  • Accommodation,our staff benefit fromkeyworker housing which is available on selected sites
  • NHS discounts,with discounts up to 10%from a variety of well-known retail brands through Health Service Discounts website.
  • Other benefits include: Counselling services; Wellbeing events;Long service awards; Cycle to work scheme; Season ticket loan; Childcare vouchers; Staff restaurants

Details

Date posted

16 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Pro rata inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

334-NUR-7208931-LF-B

Job locations

Maudsley Hospital office base (will be required to travel)

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To lead on the electronic lab-link from pathology that alerts the department to reactive HIV results from the Early Intervention Psychosis Services.
  • To monitor the robust functioning of lab-link and develop relationships with IT and pathology laboratory in order to quickly trouble shoot any issues as they occur, escalating any problems identified as appropriate.
  • To be responsible for the assessment of all reactive HIV test results from the Early Intervention Psychosis Services, ensuring that all reactive results are appropriately followed up. This includes false positives, new HIV diagnoses and known HIV positive patients, some of whom may have disengaged from care.
  • To ensure that all patients are informed of reactive HIV results and arrange confirmation testing via SHAC Services.
  • To confirm through additional 4th generation testing if true HIV positive result. Ensure that patients are fully risk assessed and counselled about any false reactive HIV test results.
  • Perform venepuncture according to trust and local policy
  • To facilitate partner notification for sexual contacts that may require HIV testing, including a PEP and PrEP assessment for partners.
  • To provide educational sessions to community mental health teams regarding BBV/HIV testing and treatment, and evaluate their effectiveness using pre and post session questionnaires.
  • To liaise with the wider multidisciplinary team in relation to the complex needs of patients including other hospital departments and community services.
  • To create, review and enhance guidelines and pathways for optimal management of patients
  • To support with data management and collection required for project reporting and audit
  • To refer the patient to appropriate specialists both within the department and external as required. Be aware of own scope of professional practice and liaise / refer to doctors /specialist nurses in the clinic and Trust as appropriate.Utilise clear patient referral pathways to allied health professionals, relevant inpatient and outpatient departments across the Trusts hospital sites and HIV community based organisations (statutory and non-statutory).
  • Communicate very sensitive confidential condition related information to patients and relatives with empathy and reassurance.
  • Attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary ward round and clinical caseload team meetings

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To lead on the electronic lab-link from pathology that alerts the department to reactive HIV results from the Early Intervention Psychosis Services.
  • To monitor the robust functioning of lab-link and develop relationships with IT and pathology laboratory in order to quickly trouble shoot any issues as they occur, escalating any problems identified as appropriate.
  • To be responsible for the assessment of all reactive HIV test results from the Early Intervention Psychosis Services, ensuring that all reactive results are appropriately followed up. This includes false positives, new HIV diagnoses and known HIV positive patients, some of whom may have disengaged from care.
  • To ensure that all patients are informed of reactive HIV results and arrange confirmation testing via SHAC Services.
  • To confirm through additional 4th generation testing if true HIV positive result. Ensure that patients are fully risk assessed and counselled about any false reactive HIV test results.
  • Perform venepuncture according to trust and local policy
  • To facilitate partner notification for sexual contacts that may require HIV testing, including a PEP and PrEP assessment for partners.
  • To provide educational sessions to community mental health teams regarding BBV/HIV testing and treatment, and evaluate their effectiveness using pre and post session questionnaires.
  • To liaise with the wider multidisciplinary team in relation to the complex needs of patients including other hospital departments and community services.
  • To create, review and enhance guidelines and pathways for optimal management of patients
  • To support with data management and collection required for project reporting and audit
  • To refer the patient to appropriate specialists both within the department and external as required. Be aware of own scope of professional practice and liaise / refer to doctors /specialist nurses in the clinic and Trust as appropriate.Utilise clear patient referral pathways to allied health professionals, relevant inpatient and outpatient departments across the Trusts hospital sites and HIV community based organisations (statutory and non-statutory).
  • Communicate very sensitive confidential condition related information to patients and relatives with empathy and reassurance.
  • Attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary ward round and clinical caseload team meetings

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered General Nurse OR Registered Mental Health Nurse OR Registered Clinical Nurse Specialist 1st Level Degree or equivalent
  • Evidence of HIV course and evidence of relevant post-graduation modules at Masters level in relevant field to HIV clinical practice.

Desirable

  • Health Advisor Course
  • MSc or working towards
  • Independent prescriber
  • Counselling qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of effectively leading a project or service developments
  • Previous experience of working in an autonomous role
  • Highly developed and advanced communication skills to support patients and their carers and convey highly sensitive, detailed and complex information, overcoming barriers to communication.
  • Proven ability to deliver training sessions to patients and staff

Desirable

  • Experience of providing advanced nursing practice for people with HIV incorporating advanced practice components in the delivery of these services (NHIVNA 2016)
  • Experience of working with people with psychosis
  • Experience of working in HIV opt-out testing role
  • Experience of working in sexual health advisor role

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • In depth knowledge & understanding of HIV & sexual health, including anti-retrovirals; adherence and resistance. K
  • Understanding about HIV stigma and how it affects people living with HIV
  • Knowledge of role of PEP and PrEP in HIV prevention

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered General Nurse OR Registered Mental Health Nurse OR Registered Clinical Nurse Specialist 1st Level Degree or equivalent
  • Evidence of HIV course and evidence of relevant post-graduation modules at Masters level in relevant field to HIV clinical practice.

Desirable

  • Health Advisor Course
  • MSc or working towards
  • Independent prescriber
  • Counselling qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of effectively leading a project or service developments
  • Previous experience of working in an autonomous role
  • Highly developed and advanced communication skills to support patients and their carers and convey highly sensitive, detailed and complex information, overcoming barriers to communication.
  • Proven ability to deliver training sessions to patients and staff

Desirable

  • Experience of providing advanced nursing practice for people with HIV incorporating advanced practice components in the delivery of these services (NHIVNA 2016)
  • Experience of working with people with psychosis
  • Experience of working in HIV opt-out testing role
  • Experience of working in sexual health advisor role

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • In depth knowledge & understanding of HIV & sexual health, including anti-retrovirals; adherence and resistance. K
  • Understanding about HIV stigma and how it affects people living with HIV
  • Knowledge of role of PEP and PrEP in HIV prevention

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act

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).

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.

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

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Maudsley Hospital office base (will be required to travel)

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Maudsley Hospital office base (will be required to travel)

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Psychiatrist, BBV opt-out Testing Lead

Michael Newson

Michael.Newson@slam.nhs.uk

07890071721

Details

Date posted

16 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Pro rata inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

334-NUR-7208931-LF-B

Job locations

Maudsley Hospital office base (will be required to travel)

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ


Supporting documents

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