Sexual Health Nurse Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Competent in undertaking telephone and face to face consultations independently, in a variety of clinical settings. Following a comprehensive Sexual Health assessment of males and females, the practitioner will be clinically responsible and accountable for total episodes of patient care

2. To independently initiate and/or review both routine and emergency contraception medication, according to Non-Medical Prescribing/ Patient Group Directions. To independently insert and remove sub-dermal contraceptive implants, as part of the contraceptive offer. Work within own limitations and scope of practice referring patients presenting with complex needs or medical contraindications, to senior clinical staff.

3. To undertake genital examination, testing and treatment of asymptomatic and/or symptomatic patients. Independently initiate and/or review the treatment of patients according to PGDs/NMP, for a number of uncomplicated STIs and/or genital conditions; work within own limitations and scope of practice referring patients presenting with complex symptoms or with abnormal findings to senior clinical staff. Undertake Partner Notification discussion/negotiation to prevent onward transmission.

4. Undertake minor surgical procedures (i.e. implant insertion), or applying local genital treatment, practitioners will be required to use highly advanced fine motor and physical skills, as well as highly developed hand-eye co-ordination and accuracy.

5. Competent to undertake microscopy as appropriate

6. Undertake cervical cytology

7. To routinely offer Chlamydia screening to males and females aged 13-24, provide treatment to index patients and implement partner notification.

8. To provide specialist advice and support in relation to pregnancy decision making, onward referral into services (e.g. termination of pregnancy, Maternity or other sexual health colleagues).

9. Provide specialist advice and information regarding a full range of contraception and STI/genital conditions

10. Provide information regarding harm minimisation with alcohol and drug use and undertake brief interventions relevant to sexual risk taking and alcohol/drug use

11. Provide general telephone advice for patients, other health care workers and stakeholders.

12. Assessment and referral of patients with safeguarding issues

13. Deliver a highly specialist sexual health outreach service, to extremely vulnerable and hard to reach patients, advocating for patients either directly or in an advisory role to other workers and professionals. To provide and receive complex and sensitive contentious information, such as disclosures of sexual abuse or other similar safeguarding issues, or requests for advice and support regarding termination of pregnancy.

14. Promote and support best practice in sex & relationships education to young people, across a comprehensive range of formal as well as informal educational and outreach settings and deliver sexual health promotion across a range of venues, e.g. workplaces, community venues; using a variety of methods.

15. Provide condoms lubricant and safer sex supplies through the c card scheme for 13-25 year olds, working within the relevant professional and legal frameworks.

16. Ensure a high standard of record keeping is achieved in line with CDDFT and professional standards including activity and service monitoring data collection

17. As required, act as a line manager for identified staff

18. To assist in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of learning packages, for newly appointed staff and students/learners

19. To maintain personal and professional standards to ensure professional credibility.

20. Support the delivery of all areas of the sexual health specification as demand dictates

21. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade and experience.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Health Related subject (or equivalent qualification/experience)
• Accredited Contraception qualification, incorporating LARC fitting and removal and / or completion of Sexual Health Integrated Pathway (or equivalent) incorporating health advising/STI management or willingness to undertake the required training courses

Desirable

• Cervical cytology

Special Requirements

Essential

• The ability to work in a flexible way, to meet the needs of the service, including evening and weekend work
• Ability to travel to different sites independently to fulfil the requirements of the post
• Willingness to undertake further training and development

Experience

Essential

• Registered General Nurse with experience in sexual health or other relevant field

Desirable

• Experience of working with PGDs
• Experience of working with young people delivering care in outreach and/or domiciliary settings for vulnerable groups

Statutory Registration

Essential

• 1st level Registered Nurse

Desirable

• Non-Medical Prescriber

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of national strategies/policy drivers and legislation in relation to sexual health and contraception
• General sexual health, contraception and STI knowledge and/or skills - both clinical and theoretical
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Competent use of IT
• Adaptable to different work environments unpredictable work pattern
• Self-starter, able to work independently, on own initiative and to deadlines
• Ability to plan and organise workload to ensure safe service provision

Desirable

• Knowledge of policies and procedures surrounding care of young people under 16
• Knowledge of local services and areas of deprivation

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

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD

Employer's website

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