Sexual Health Assistant Outreach Practitioner

Job overview

This post will support the activity and productivity of outreach staff delivering targeted work with vulnerable groups at risk of sexual ill-health.   The principal target groups that Sexual Health Outreach provides services to are;

• Commercial Sex Workers
• Homeless Clients
• Drug Users
• Men who have sex with men
• BMEA communities
• Students and young people

The post holder will also be required to work as an accountable practitioner working on their own in community settings, making decisions according to policy and protocol.  Hours of work will be flexible to include evening and weekends across the axess regional footprint as required.

The role will work across the whole axess footprint including sessions held in Macclesfield and Crewe

Main duties of the job

Utilising Trust policies and protocols, under the proximal supervision of the clinical practitioner, the assistant practitioner will:

• Undertake asymptomatic screening and be able to order routine bloods/investigations and have a basic understanding of normal and altered values.
• Undertake a designated range of patient assessments such as reviewing a medical history and reporting any changes to the clinical team.
• Utilise clinical skills appropriately to enhance the delivery of patient care e.g. Venepuncture, immunisation and provision of medication under direction of ‘Patient Specific Directions’ (PSD’s).
• Manage and maintain own treatment lists for Chlamydia and a range of routine contraception’s, with use of PSD’s.
• Manage and administer cryotherapy treatment to relevant and appropriate patients.
• Undertake partner notification (PN) and/or support patients to use online ‘e-PN’.
• Assess those patients with special need such as those under 16 and discuss with clinical team where appropriate and according to Trust guidelines.
• Manage recall of patients such as Hepatitis A/B & HPV vaccinations, repeat Chlamydia testing and Depo Provera injection.
• Function as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team
• Organise and prioritise time effectively..
• Promote and value the rights, responsibilities and diversity of people.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Utilising Trust policies and protocols, under the proximal supervision of the clinical practitioner, the assistant practitioner will:

• Undertake pregnancy testing according to clinical protocols liaising with clinical team where appropriate according to clinical guidelines.
• Outreach work in the community as appropriate.

• Undertake asymptomatic screening and be able to order routine bloods/investigations and have a basic understanding of normal and altered values.
• Undertake a designated range of patient assessments such as reviewing a medical history and reporting any changes to the clinical team.
• Utilise clinical skills appropriately to enhance the delivery of patient care e.g. Venepuncture, immunisation and provision of medication under direction of ‘Patient Specific Directions’ (PSD’s).
• Manage and maintain own treatment lists for Chlamydia and a range of routine contraception’s, with use of PSD’s.
• Manage and administer cryotherapy treatment to relevant and appropriate patients.
• Undertake partner notification (PN) and/or support patients to use online ‘e-PN’.
• Assess those patients with special need such as those under 16 and discuss with clinical team where appropriate and according to Trust guidelines.
• Manage recall of patients such as Hepatitis A/B & HPV vaccinations, repeat Chlamydia testing and Depo Provera injection.
• Function as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team
• Organise and prioritise time effectively.
• Undertake clinical audits for example infection control audits
• Recognises the need for referral and undertake appropriate referrals to clinical practitioners and/or services within the NHS, independent & voluntary sectors.
• Undertake, monitor & record basic observations – temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration.
• Promote and value the rights, responsibilities and diversity of people

Team working.

• Coordinate a team of support workers in care delivery and where appropriate other students.
• Work effectively as part of a multi disciplinary team recognising the contribution of all team members in meeting patients’ needs.
• Actively participate in team development and make suggestions to the team on service improvements.

Educational Responsibilities.

• To develop and maintain own clinical skills and knowledge using a competency framework to ensure effective care delivery
• To ensure compliance with mandatory training and personal development plans
• Demonstrate procedures to and supervise unqualified staff. Contribute to the learning environment within the service and team mentoring at an optimum level.
• Supervise, assess and mentor Trainee Healthcare Support workers, Trainee Assistant Practitioners, assist in the supervision and learning of other students with the exception of their assessment.
• Promote and participate in the Health Education both personally and with all patients and relatives as appropriate.

Professional responsibilities.

• Exhibit professional behaviour and attitude at all times, and demonstrate excellent customer care skills.
• Recognise the level of competence to ensure safe practice.
• Be familiar with and abide by Trust policies and procedures to ensure to ensure optimum patient care and safety of patients and staff.
• Adhere to trust uniform policy.
• Take personal responsibility for keeping up to date with new developments and participate in research/ clinical audit. Attendance at annual update sessions is mandatory.
• Act as a role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace, always ensuring the highest standards of evidenced based care.
• Take every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve knowledge.
• Identify objectives within a PDP that support the delivery of high standards of clinical care

Communication.

• Provide verbal reports and maintain written reports on the patients’ condition for professionally qualified workers.  Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt communication style to the situation/person.
• Communicate effectively with patients, staff and relatives.
• Report all accidents and incidents involving self, patients, staff or visitors according to procedure.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary meetings.

* The post holder shall as necessary provide cover for and undertake duties of absent colleagues.

* The post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation.