Health Promotion Specialist, Sexual Health

Job overview

Works with hub based leadership teams, outreach staff and public health and wellbeing colleagues from West Sussex County Council (WSCC), contributing and advising on the planning, development, delivery and review of new and ongoing programmes to improve sexual health awareness and knowledge, cultural competency development and reduction in barriers to access through the use of evidence based health promotion methodologies, digital media and novel technologies.

Responsible for coordinating and implementing a campaign calendar that contributes to improved sexual health and wellbeing awareness, working collaboratively with stakeholders from across the county, implementing and developing local and national awareness raising events

Guides the strategic development of West Sussex 15-24 year old Chlamydia detection, in line with national guidance and to improve access to WSISH services for U25’s in West Sussex.

Main duties of the job

Provides and receive complex, sensitive information from service users, representatives from partnership agencies and commissioners that informs health promotion programmes and strategies across the county. E.g. data concerning asylum seekers, young people under 18, men who have sex with men (MSM).

Uses persuasive, motivational and negotiating skills during training and at meetings and particularly where there are barriers to communication such as cultural differences, with the users and staff from health inclusion groups, such as Friends and Fellow Travellers, Turning Tides, Barnados, Alliance for Better Care, gaining engagement with Sexual Health services and supporting agencies.

Liaises with external agencies, presenting complex, sensitive or contentious information to large groups using influencing and persuasion skills to address health inequalities around issues such as harmful sexual behaviours, sexual violence, and child and adult safeguarding matters.

Regularly provides communication updates regarding the West Sussex Integrated Sexual Health Service to the wider community via a range of media including the Sexual Health website and other digital social media as required. Highlights local and national sexual health awareness messaging such as those promoted during Sexual Health awareness week, HIV testing campaigns etc

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provides specialised advice in relation to care for patients, including specialised health improvement advice around Sexual Health which supports the care and education of patients, their carers and others.

Ensures WSISH visibility at key County events targeting young people such as Freshers/New student events, STI Testing Week etc.

Work directly with health inclusion group service users to ensure that Health Promotion messages are relevant to the target audience and to ensure ongoing service user involvement throughout aspects of the work undertaken.

Deliver education sessions to groups of health inclusion service users, including young people, asylum seekers, Sex workers etc, offering virtual education and training sessions as required, utilising novel technologies to maximise learning.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.