ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Registered Nurse (1st
level) or
CQSW/ Diploma Social
Work or
A relevant degree:
Psychology, health Science, Social Sciences, Health Promotion, Education or
A relevant higher
qualification e.g. a MSC in Counselling, Health Education/ Promotion, Public Health
A
Counselling Qualification at Certificate level
ESSENTIAL PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
To have worked in a
healthcare setting
To have used
counselling/ counselling skills with patients either face to face or by telephone
To have a working
knowledge of clinical and psychosocial aspects of Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV or
related sexual health issues
To have knowledge/
experience of sexual health education/ promotion with individuals and within a group
setting
To have experiences of teaching and lecturing
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST TITLE: Health Adviser
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
-Clinical
Issues to the Consultant in GUM/ HIV
MANAGERIALLY
RESPONSIBLE TO:-Senior Health Adviser where they are in post or a relevant senior member of staff e.g. a clinic
manager
JOB SUMMARY
To
provide advice, information, education and counselling to patients diagnosed with a
sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, syphilis and
hepatitis B & C. To carry out partner notification, to ensure the attendance and
treatment of contacts. To provide ongoing
support and counselling for those with associated concerns e.g. rape, termination of
pregnancy, sexual identity, relationship and psychosexual issues etc.
To
provide pre test HIV discussion and post test discussion and/ or counselling. To provide follow up counselling and psychosocial
care for HIV antibody positive patients as required.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To
provide information to patients diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection: how they
are acquired, transmitted and treated.
2.
To provide education and counselling on preventing
or minimizing the risk of infection.
3.
To provide effective partner notification to ensure
contact(s) attendance and treatment by index (patient) referral as detailed in the
SHASTD PN policy
4.
To stress the importance of medical treatment and
follow-up.
5.
To discuss HIV with patients who may have been at
risk or are worried.
6.
To provide pre HIV test discussion and post HIV test
counselling.
7.
To provide initial post-test HIV counselling for
newly diagnosed patients, their partners, significant others and offer ongoing counselling
and psychosocial care dependant on the health advisers training, experience and
supervision
8.
To provide a safe environment whereby patients can
discuss their concerns and ask questions.
9.
To provide comprehensive assessment of
patients other social, emotional or sexual difficulties and to follow up or refer on
as appropriate.
10. To
record interventions accurately and concisely in patient files.
11. To
ensure patients are followed up adequately if they need to reattend for results treatment
or counselling by letter, phone, or home visit, or through GP, FHSA or other means.
12. To
keep confidential records for the purpose of partner notification.
13. To take a lead in sexual health promotion work within the clinic and community.
14. To
keep statistics on all patient contacts and interviews to enable audit and evaluation of
services
15. To
liaise with other health advisers in GUM and exchange relevant information in order to
facilitate partner notification.
16. To
liaise with other local or national agencies as appropriate.
17. To
establish good working relationships with medical, nursing, and administration staff
within the clinic, as well as with professionals from other departments e.g. Accident and
Emergency, Gynaecology, Psychiatry.
18. To
take part in teaching programs as required for nursing staff, medical students or other
statutory or voluntary bodies.
19. To
continue professional development and training by attendance and contribution at relevant
clinic/ Trust/ regional/ national meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences.
20. To
participate in regular supervision and staff appraisal.
21. To
be aware of the confidential nature of the clinic and work within the legal
responsibilities as laid down in the Venereal Diseases Regulations 1974 and the NHS Trust
Act 1991.
22. To
work within SHASTD guidance e.g. Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, Guidelines for Good
Practice, PN Policy