Job overview
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)
Working for our organisation
We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and 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 are highlighted here:
1. Generous pay, pensions and leave, we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
2. Work life balance, flexible working and supporting a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.
3. 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
4. Car lease, our staff benefit from competitive deals to lease cars
5. Accommodation, our staff benefit fromkeyworker housing which is available on selected sites
6. NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands through Health Service Discounts website.
7. Other benefits include: Counselling services; Wellbeing events; Long service awards; Cycle to work scheme; Season ticket loan; Childcare vouchers; Staff restaurants
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
8. To lead on the electronic lab-link from pathology that alerts the department to reactive HIV results from the Early Intervention Psychosis Services.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. To ensure that all patients are informed of reactive HIV results and arrange confirmation testing via SHAC Services.
12. 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.
13. Perform venepuncture according to trust and local policy
14. To facilitate partner notification for sexual contacts that may require HIV testing, including a PEP and PrEP assessment for partners.
15. 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.
16. To liaise with the wider multidisciplinary team in relation to the complex needs of patients including other hospital departments and community services.
17. To create, review and enhance guidelines and pathways for optimal management of patients
18. To support with data management and collection required for project reporting and audit
19. 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 Trust’s hospital sites and HIV community based organisations (statutory and non-statutory).
20. Communicate very sensitive confidential condition related information to patients and relatives with empathy and reassurance.
21. Attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary ward round and clinical caseload team meetings
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
22. Registered General Nurse OR Registered Mental Health Nurse OR Registered Clinical Nurse Specialist 1st Level Degree or equivalent
23. Evidence of HIV course and evidence of relevant post-graduation modules at Masters level in relevant field to HIV clinical practice.
Desirable criteria
24. Health Advisor Course
25. MSc or working towards
26. Independent prescriber
27. Counselling qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
28. Evidence of effectively leading a project or service developments
29. Previous experience of working in an autonomous role
30. Highly developed and advanced communication skills to support patients and their carers and convey highly sensitive, detailed and complex information, overcoming barriers to communication.
31. Proven ability to deliver training sessions to patients and staff
Desirable criteria
32. Experience of providing advanced nursing practice for people with HIV incorporating advanced practice components in the delivery of these services (NHIVNA 2016)
33. Experience of working with people with psychosis
34. Experience of working in HIV opt-out testing role
35. Experience of working in sexual health advisor role
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
36. In depth knowledge & understanding of HIV & sexual health, including anti-retrovirals; adherence and resistance. K
37. Understanding about HIV stigma and how it affects people living with HIV
38. Knowledge of role of PEP and PrEP in HIV prevention
Desirable criteria
39. Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act