Job summary
Assess individual client needs and provide advice on all methods of contraception, reproductive and sexual health issues within a variety of settings and provide care and treatment using Patient Group Directions (PGD's) or as an independent prescriber. Deliver evidence based practice and act as a role model for junior colleagues and take responsibility for the mentoring of pre and post registration students. Manage and/or support the efficient running of the clinic, including nurse led clinics and triage.

Main duties of the job

• Contribute and adhere to clearly defined service procedures and guidelines
• Provide a service, in a variety of settings, recognising the sensitive nature of the work. This requires a non-judgemental and empathetic approach where the diversity of the client group is recognised
• Work with young people, assessing and responding to safeguarding needs, referring appropriately with minimal supervision from senior colleagues and support junior colleagues with safeguarding concerns
• The post holder will independently undertake assessment of clients, offer clinical advice and support client understanding of chosen method of contraception.
• The post holder will work to Patient Group Direction (PGD) to supply and administer first time and repeat hormonal and emergency contraception or as an independent prescriber.
• Use clinical skills, to enable hormonal implants to be fitted and removed in clients requesting this method of contraception
• Use clinical skills to assess client's suitability for specialist coil usage; fit if competent, or refer to the medical team or trained member of the nursing team for fitting
• Use clinical skills to check and remove intrauterine devices
• Use clinical skills to perform bi-manual examinations on female patients as necessary

About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

Job responsibilities

• The post holder will work to Patient Group Direction (PGD) to supply and administer first time and repeat hormonal and emergency contraception or as an independent prescriber.
• To work across the service including evenings and weekends
• Use clinical skills to take a sexual history and screen male and female clients for sexually transmitted infections (including vaginal and testicular examinations) and treat if appropriate with relevant PGD or as an independent prescriber
• Treat clients that are contacts of a sexually transmitted infection with relevant PGD or as an independent prescriber and undertake partner notification
• Undertake light and dark ground microscopy for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections.

Qualifications
Essential

• RN
• Recognised post registration qualification in Contraception and Sexual Health at degree or diploma level.
• Training in Patient Group Directions for first time and repeat issuing of hormonal and emergency contraception and treatment of STIs or as an independent prescriber or willing to work towards.

Desirable

• Recognised post registration Teaching Qualification / Mentorship course at degree level
• Completion of Diplomate Assessment of the Faulty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (NDFSRH)

Experience
Essential

• Previous experience/training in Sexual Health and Contraception
• Working independently with minimal supervision
• Practice evidence based care

Desirable

• Experience of contributing towards written reports and audit
• Ability to work within local and national policy/guidelines

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.

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

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is an equal opportunities employer.