Job summary
The main purpose of this job is to provide high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare to meet the needs of the patient population of Teesside Together.

As a Sexual Health Clinician, you will work independently, treating patients within their booked treatment slots, guided at all times by our organisations current standards, policies and procedures. The care you will provide covers all aspects of sexual and reproductive healthcare, from screening and advice, to treatment and contraception fittings.

The post holder will be expected to travel to various locations across the catchment area of Teesside Together Sexual Health Service.

Main duties of the job

• Meet the nursing care needs of patients as you identify them yourself or as reported to you by another clinician when care is being transferred ensuring that all patients receive individual care appropriate to their circumstances
• Assess patients attending walk-in clinics adjusting appointment lengths as appropriate and supporting other clinicians where possible
• Carry out intimate examinations efficiently and with dignity offering a chaperone to every patient
• Perform appropriate tests or screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections including phlebotomy microscopy and HIV testing
• Support patients with regards to self-testing for STIs including giving instructions on swab use and sample storage
• Ensure all samples taken are logged appropriately and available for collection by the pathology supplier
• Provide patients with appropriate treatments for STIs
• Provide immunisation against STIs to eligible patients from high-risk groups
• Fit coils and implants
• Perform PEPSE assessments for patients who have been exposed to HIV and issue it where appropriate
• Assess patients start them on PrEP treatment and re-issue as appropriate
• Perform cervical screening
• Ensure patients who have tested positive for HIV are referred appropriately to ongoing care
• Support effective partner notification ensuring that as many people as possible are contacted tested and given treatment if necessary
• Follow the Make Every Contact Count framework to ensure that you are supporting the patient with holistic care wherever possible

About us
Teesside Together provides high-quality sexual health services from four sites across the area. We offer contraception, STI testing and treatment, and advice on a wide range of sexual health concerns.

Run by, and for, local people, we are committed to reducing the stigma around sexual health, bettering outcomes for all patients, and being innovators in the field of sexual health care.

Above all, we believe in doing everything possible to help people.

Job responsibilities
Job Purpose

The main purpose of this job is to provide high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare to meet the needs of the patient population of Teesside Together

As a Sexual Health Clinician you will work independently treating patients within their booked treatment slots guided at all times by our organisations current standards policies and procedures The care you will provide covers all aspects of sexual and reproductive healthcare from screening and advice to treatment and contraception fittings

The post holder will be expected to travel to various locations across the catchment area of Teesside Together Sexual Health Service

Main Responsibilities

In accordance with service requirements you will

Clinical

• Meet the nursing care needs of patients as you identify them yourself or as reported to you by another clinician when care is being transferred ensuring that all patients receive individualised care appropriate to their circumstances
• Assess patients attending walk-in clinics adjusting appointment lengths as appropriate and supporting other clinicians where possible
• Carry out intimate examinations efficiently and with dignity offering a chaperone to every patient
• Perform appropriate tests or screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections STIs including phlebotomy microscopy and HIV testing
• Support patients with regards to self-testing for STIs including giving instructions on swab use and sample storage
• Ensure all samples taken are logged appropriately and available for collection by the pathology supplier
• Provide patients with appropriate treatments for STIs
• Provide immunisations against STIs to eligible patients from high-risk groups
• Fit coils and implants
• Perform PEPSE assessments for patients who have been exposed to HIV and issue it where appropriate
• Assess patients start them on PrEP treatment and re-issue as appropriate
• Perform cervical screening
• Ensure patients who have tested positive for HIV are referred appropriately to ongoing care
• Support effective partner notification ensuring that as many people as possible are contacted tested and given treatment if necessary
• Follow the Make Every Contact Count framework to ensure that you are supporting the patient with holistic care wherever possible
• Liaise efficiently and consistently with other clinicians teams and agencies to ensure consistency of care where necessary

Reporting

• Record work activities in line with local policies procedures and standards
• Record complaints errors concerns and other untoward occurrences to the appropriate person
• Participate in clinical governance and audit activities to ensure continual service improvement

Patient Education

• Understand the key role that patient education and knowledge plays in sexual health topics including contraception STI prevention and other sexual health risks
• Offer advice and education to patients regarding safe sex practices including contraception and STI prevention and signpost to further help where appropriate
• Ensure all patients receiving a new-to-them form of contraception receive appropriate training or demonstrations

Communication

• Present yourself at all times in a manner that is open and honest and work in partnership with patients clients colleagues and the public to enhance confidence competence and best practice in line with our mission statement
• Deal with patients clients and colleagues in a polite and respectful manner using appropriate language and behaviour
• Liaise closely with the immediate team and other agencies in a professional and respectful manner

Professional Development

• Keep up to date with all mandatory training to ensure compliance and competence
• Attend training courses in house online and externally to develop expertise and further knowledge
• Take responsibility for updating documenting and maintaining your own knowledge and skills framework and sharing professional development with Teesside Together
• Express needs or desire for further training and work within own remit at all times
• Participate in appraisals performance reviews and professional development plans on an ongoing basis with Teesside Together when required
• Engage in clinical supervision

Equality and Diversity

• Ensure all patient groups accessing the service receive a safe welcoming non-judgemental and confidential service
• Support our culture which promotes equality and values diversity
• Be aware of and committed to our equality and diversity policies and actively promote equality and diversity issues relevant to the post
• Through your own actions and the example you provide to others uphold the principle that all co-workers patients and visitors have the right to be treated equally and with respect
• Ensure that individuals are given equal access to care and services

Confidentiality
In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description you may have access to confidential information relating to patients and clients their carers and staff from a number of organisations

You may also have access to business information

All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential

Safeguarding
The safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of all staff members regardless of role

Teesside Together is committed to the prevention of abuse in all its forms and asks all our staff to be vigilant and compassionate when in contact with others

To this end you will

• Work within the safeguarding framework including understanding Spotting the Signs and Fraser Competencies reporting any concerns as per local standard operating procedure
• Be aware of the risk of child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation sharing any concerns with the clinician on duty
• Assess all patients for concerns regarding domestic abuse signposting and or reporting as appropriate

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Level 1 Nurse / Midwife registration with the NMC
• Current, full UK driving licence and daily access to a car with business insurance

Desirable

• Recognised sexual health course
• Independent prescriber qualification, or knowledge of working to patient group directions
• Integrated contraception / sexual health qualification
• STIF Intermediate Competency (BASHH) and/or Level 2 and 3 NHIVNA Nurse HIV Competencies
• Letter of Competence IUT / SDI
• Cervical cytology qualification and registration
• Mentoring / teaching qualification
• Demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development

Skills
Essential

• Effective communication skills, especially when talking to patients, relatives, and carers
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to provide individualised care with empathy
• Ability to plan and prioritise your own workload
• Attention to detail
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to multi-task

Knowledge
Essential

• Awareness of quality and diversity concerns / measures, particularly in healthcare
• Awareness of the importance of confidentiality, privacy, and dignity

Experience
Desirable

• Experience of working in a sexual health service
• Experience of teaching and/or mentorship in a clinical setting

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).