Combined sexual health nurse and health adviser

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to work for a 12 month secondment in Sexual Health at Brighton SHAC  in a busy and dynamic service. The post is 22.5 hours of Sexual Health Nurse time and 15 hours of Sexual Health adviser time to make up a full-time post. Previous experience of working in an NHS sexual health setting would be required to apply.

We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.

Prior to submission of your application for any internal secondment or fixed term post, please ensure that you have discussed this with your line manager to obtain their approval.

If you do not have written approval from your current line manager to take this position if successful as an internal secondment opportunity, it would be offered as a fixed term position.

Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval, you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide evidence-based, holistic sexual health and contraception care to patients attending the service (including patients identifying as male, female, trans or other). This will include sexual and reproductive history taking, assessment of needs (including contraception, pregnancy, risk-taking behaviour, alcohol and drug use, mental health), venepuncture, facilitation of asymptomatic pathway for patients, intimate genital examinations and specimen collection (including cervical cytology and pregnancy testing), diagnostic microscopy, making a diagnosis, discussion of results, diagnosis and management plan, administration and supply of medicines under PGD or through non-medical prescribing, facilitation of meeting identified contraception needs (through own practice or through referral to colleague as appropriate), genital wart treatments and sexual health discussion / health promotion / signposting to other services.

The post holder will support the Senior Health adviser and the health adviser team to cover clinics, see patients diagnosed with  sexually transmitted infections for education, advice and partner notification. Assessment and onward referral for vulnerable groups attending SHAC who may raise safeguarding concerns, or need additional support and input around their sexual health.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• This is a combined role where the post holder will work for 3 days per week within the nursing team and 2 days with the health advising team of a 37.5 hour week.

• The post holder will facilitate health education and promotion to all patients with a sexually transmitted infection and promote partner notification. In addition, they will work closely with and actively support the Nurse Team Leader and Senior Health Adviser to support the delivery of high-quality sexual health and reproductive health care.

• The post holder will provide initial assessment, advice and appropriate referral for specific groups of patients eg MSM, patients under 16 years, adults attending following sexual assault, adults following recent exposure to HIV

• The post holder will assess and manage patients who may have safeguarding risk and ensure appropriate referrals and support in place  and work closely with the senior Health Adviser in this area

• The post holder will participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of nurse-managed care to patients accessing the service. The post holder will have specific responsibility for an area of service provision and delivery under the supervision of the Nurse Team Leader.

• The post holder will proactively facilitate high standards of nursing care and promote continuity of care of patients accessing the service.

• The post holder will be responsible for management of identified members of the team.